"Ready to Take a Chance Again" is a 1978 international hit single performed by
Barry Manilow. The song was composed by
Charles Fox, with lyrics by Fox's writing partner,
Norman Gimbel
Norman Gimbel (November 16, 1927 – December 19, 2018) was an American lyricist of popular songs, television and movie themes. He wrote the lyrics for songs including " Killing Me Softly with His Song", " Ready to Take a Chance Again" (both wit ...
. Manilow conceived and supervised the song's recording in partnership with
Ron Dante
Ron Dante (born Carmine John Granito, August 22, 1945) is an American singer, songwriter, session vocalist, and record producer. Dante is best known as the real life lead singer of the fictional cartoon band the Archies; he was also the voice o ...
.
It is the theme song of the movie, ''
Foul Play'', starring
Goldie Hawn
Goldie Jeanne Hawn (born November 21, 1945) is an American actress, dancer, producer, and singer. She rose to fame on the NBC sketch comedy program ''Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In'' (1968–1970), before going on to receive the Academy Award and Go ...
and
Chevy Chase
Cornelius Crane "Chevy" Chase (; born October 8, 1943) is an American comedian, actor and writer. He became a key cast member in the first season of ''Saturday Night Live'', where his recurring ''Weekend Update'' segment became a staple of the ...
. It is one of two Manilow songs featured in that movie, the other being "
Copacabana".
The song recounts the experience of a despairing man who has been hurt by love and therefore has retreated into the safety of an emotional shell. His life then continues on a flat but even keel until he meets someone who causes him to consider taking a chance with love again.
Both the 45 RPM single and the track on Manilow's hit collections are monaural, despite being labeled otherwise. The only source for this song in true stereo is the original ''Foul Play'' soundtrack.
Reception
On September 10, 1978, "Ready to Take a Chance Again" entered the U.S. ''
Billboard Hot 100
The ''Billboard'' Hot 100 is the music industry standard record chart in the United States for songs, published weekly by '' Billboard'' magazine. Chart rankings are based on sales (physical and digital), radio play, and online streamin ...
'' chart at position number 70; and on November 12, 1978, it peaked at number 11 (for two weeks). It spent 15 weeks on the chart. It reached number 5 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Tracks chart. On the ''
Cash Box'' chart, the song spent two weeks at number seven. In Canada, the song peaked at number four for two weeks.
"Ready to Take a Chance Again" was nominated for Best Song at the 1978 Academy Awards. It lost, however, to
Donna Summer's "
Last Dance" from the movie, ''
Thank God It's Friday''.
In Germany, "Ready to Take a Chance Again" was backed with the re-release of "
Mandy," which had been only a minor hit on its prior release.
''
Cash Box'' said it has a "somber beginning and
uildsto soaring end."
''
Record World'' called it "a romantic ballad enveloped in a lush and lovely production."
Chart performance
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
References
External links
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Ready to Take a Chance Again
1978 singles
Barry Manilow songs
Songs with lyrics by Norman Gimbel
Songs with music by Charles Fox (composer)
1978 songs
Arista Records singles
Song recordings produced by Ron Dante