Feeling Lucky Playlist: 53 Songs About Luck and Chance

FlourishAnyway believes there is a playlist for just about any situation and is on a mission to unite and entertain the world through song.

What Are the Chances?

What are the chances?

• My husband and I have found a $50 or $100 bill simply lying on the ground with no one around in sight ... three times.
• My aunt has two rare diseases, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. (Unfortunately, she's not one to flourish anyway.)
• Just to be nice, my husband bought a charity raffle ticket for $5. He ended up winning a brand new Toyota Camry. (We felt really fortunate until tax time rolled around.)

Sometimes we make our luck and at other times life just happens. Whether you're lucky in love, just plain lucky, or in need of better luck, why not celebrate the role that luck and chance play in your life with a playlist of rock, pop, and country songs? We have a long list to start you out with.

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1. "I Feel Lucky" by Mary Chapin Carpenter

This chipper country song from 1992 features a narrator who is super positive (or perhaps just deluded) that she is going to win the lottery today. She therefore calls in sick to work and proceeds to take all kinds of crazy chances.

Our lucky lady hits the local bar to celebrate her upcoming lotto win and treats everyone there to a round, while the waitress gets a car. I think I want what she's on, don't you?

I feel lucky.
Think I'll flip a coin I'm a winner either way.
Mmmmm I feel lucky today.

2. "Lucky" by Jason Mraz (featuring Colbie Caillai)

This 2008 pop song is a declaration of love between two people who feel fortunate to have found love with their best friend. They don't like being apart and feel lucky to be coming home to one another. If they still feel this way 30 years from now, then they'll really be lucky.

3. “Some Guys Have All The Luck” by Rod Stewart

The poor narrator in this 1984 rock song is down on his luck because all of his friends are married while he remains a lonely bachelor with an ex-girlfriend whose memory still haunts him. He looks at couples snuggling and wishes he had someone to share those awkward public displays of affection.

4. “Lucky Star” by Madonna

Sheesh. Leave it to Madonna to sexualize the words of an old nursery rhyme. She's always been classy this way. "Come on, shine your heavenly body tonight" somehow gives the "Starlight, star bright" rhyme a bit of an ick factor.

Regardless, this 1983 rock song was Madge back in her heyday, thrusting and twisting as she sang how lucky she was to know her bright shiny lover.

5. "Take A Chance On Me" by ABBA

In this 1977 pop hit, the protagonist is asking for just a chance, one chance, any desperate chance for her love interest to notice her and give a relationship a whirl. She's confident it will work out. Although she's already been rejected by him, she promises:

If you change your mind, I'm the first in line
Honey I'm still free, take a chance on me
If you need me, Let me know
Gonna be around.

Do you really want to be the last one standing, the last viable option for someone? Tell him his luck just ran out!

6. "Green Lights" by Aloe Blacc

This R&B song from 2010 portrays an extra lucky day in which the protagonist gets green lights throughout. There are no stop signs, no red lights, and no traffic lights to slow him down. He's on his way, and nothing will stop him.

7. "Take A Chance On Me" by JLS

In this 2011 pop song a narrator recognizes that his girl is scared to fall in love. She's tentative to try again after having her heart broken.

However, he says he's someone she can trust, and he can satisfy her needs. He wants her to take a chance on love with him. Will they both get lucky?

8. "The Lucky One" by Alison Krauss and Union Station

The lady narrator in this 2001 country bluegrass hit sings about an easygoing man who doesn't know bad luck. Everyone loves him, and he has not care in the world. Mr. Lucky sounds like he's getting his share of action, too:

Give you a song and a one night stand
And you'll be looking at a happy man
'Cause you're the lucky one.

If he keeps this risky behavior up, his luck just might run out.

9. "Chances" by Five for Fighting

If you've ever bet on love knowing you'll probably lose, then this 2009 rock song should resonate. The guy tells his beloved that "No act of God can pull me away from you," yet he's also realistic because he knows that their relationship may take them different places.

He's willing to lay it on the line and take a chance, hoping that luck will be on their side.

10. "Ironic" by Alanis Morissette

Like the most negative of Nellies, Alanis Morissette needs an attitude change, some happy pills, or both. She highlights a laundry list of very unlucky situations. If you listen to this 1995 song too much, you may risk becoming equally bummed.

Some of her unlucky scenarios:

• A 98-year old man who won the lottery, then died the following day
• A death row pardon a minute too late
• Rain on your wedding day
• A free ride when you've already paid.

Ease up, Alanis. We often make our own luck, you know.

11. "The Luckiest" by Ben Folds

A male friend of mine divides his life into two segments: life before he met his lovely wife and life afterwards. He reminds me of the man in this moving 2001 song who is absolutely smitten with his beloved. The narrator explains how is the luckiest man to have known and loved her.

12. "Get Lucky" by Daft Punk (featuring Pharrell Williams)

Someone's hoping for a party in their pants. In this fun 2013 pop song about getting your sexual chemistry fix, the narrator has one thing on his mind when it comes to his lady friend: getting lucky.

She's up all night to the sun
I'm up all night to get some
She's up all night for good fun
I'm up all night to get lucky.

13. "Taking Chances" by Celine Dion

Feeling vulnerable, lost and lonely, the narrator in this 2007 pop song wants to take a chance on love (or something remotely like it) with someone she barely knows. This could turn south quickly (as in finding herself in a body bag), or on the bright side, they could both find themselves lucky in love. Seems to me like she's playing Russian roulette with her heart.

14. "Lucky" by Britney Spears

Maybe Britney foresaw some of the tough times she had ahead of her when she recorded this pop song in 2000. It's about a Hollywood girl whom everyone assumes has it all. However, she's lost in an image and finds herself crying at night.

In the coming decade, the real Britney, of course:

• broke Justin Timberlake's heart and he wrote a bitter song about her
• married and divorced dancer Kevin Federline
• lost custody of her two kids
• experienced substance and psychiatric difficulties
• famously shaved her head with electric clippers and
• then made a come back.

With all that has happened to her, isn't she a lucky lady to have made it through?

15. "One Second Chance" by Jeff Bates

I used to conduct hourly hiring at a manufacturing plant and sometimes was faced with ex-cons looking for employment. This 2006 country song tells the story from their perspective, how once they've paid for their transgressions, it's hard to find someone to give you a second chance to earn a living. Be sure to watch the video for a real perspective-changer.

16. "While You See a Chance" by Steve Winwood

This 1980 pop song is a lot drearier than I recall. Its message is that we make our own luck. The narrator says that it's all on you and prompts you to take the chances that come your way because

Don't you know by now
No one gives you anything?
Don't you wonder how you keep on moving
One more day?

17. "Ready To Take A Chance Again" by Barry Manilow

The guy in this 1990 song has been hurt before, so he has walled his emotions off to protect himself. However, it looks like he's found love again and he's ready to risk getting hurt again in order to experience the joy that love has to offer.

The real Barry Manilow was married briefly to a woman in the 1960s, but it lasted only a year before their marriage was annulled. In 2015, Manilow finally took a chance again by marrying his longtime manager, Garry Kief.

18. "Second Chance" by Shinedown

This 2008 rock song is Shinedown's most successful single. Lead vocalist Brent Smith has explained its meaning this way:

"When I grew up, everyone was okay with being in a bubble. They were cool in their circle. That's fine. But no one should discourage someone if they have a dream, if they want something more [...] This song was difficult for me to write the lyrics to because it's about my mother and my father, and about the day I said goodbye to them, because I had to go try, and I'm still trying, every day, to become a man. So, this song is about that. It's about the moment that you wake up and you decide you want to go for every single dream you ever want."

19. "With A Little Luck" by Paul McCartney and Wings

This 1978 pop song reminds us that with a little luck and a lot of teamwork, anything is possible.

20. "Good Run of Bad Luck" by Clint Black

If you've ever bet it all on love, then this 1993 country song should strike a chord. The narrator likens winning the affections of his love interest to a high stakes gamble. He's been to the table and lost it all on a good run of bad luck, but he's hoping for a windfall this time.

Even More Songs About Luck and Chance

© 2017 FlourishAnyway

Comments

FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on April 25, 2020:

Peggy - The winning was great, but the taxes were another story, especially since it was an unplanned expense! I won't complain. We were really lucky.

Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on April 25, 2020:

You were lucky to win a car on a $5 raffle. I once knew a person who signed up to win a car in a mall, and she was the winner. We have never had that kind of luck, but it is always nice to dream. I think that is half the fun of buying a raffle ticket or a lottery ticket. The most I have ever found on the ground in a parking lot is generally pennies, never a $100 bill. Good list of songs, as usual.

FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on October 13, 2017:

Tara - Thank you. You've made my day. Have a good one.

Tara on October 13, 2017:

Awesome play list

FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on March 26, 2017:

arx - It's now #48! Thank you for your suggestion. Have a great week ahead

arx on March 26, 2017:

Probably you can add The Lucky One by Taylor Swift?

FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on March 10, 2017:

Bodylevive - Hope you have a really lucky weekend! Happy St. Patrick's Day!

BODYLEVIVE from Alabama, USA on March 10, 2017:

Wow, you really know how to star a day off! This is great, really enjoyed the read and listening to the songs.

FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on January 09, 2017:

Gypsy Rose Lee - I wish you the best of luck in publishing your poems and in all you do.

Gypsy Rose Lee from Daytona Beach, Florida on January 09, 2017:

Great choices as always. Your hub makes me feel lucky today.

FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on January 08, 2017:

Jo - Thanks for stopping by. Have a really lucky week!

Jo Miller from Tennessee on January 08, 2017:

I'm feeling lucky to start my day today with another great song list. Thanks.

FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on January 08, 2017:

Linda - Alanis Morissette's lyrics (not just this song) are often real bummers and sometimes freaky. Since the 90s I think she's mellowed. I've read that she is Buddhist which really surprised me. I don't know if that happened before or after this song.

Linda Crampton from British Columbia, Canada on January 07, 2017:

Thanks for creating yet another interesting playlist article, Flourish. As usual, you've included some songs that are new to me, which I appreciate. The lyrics of the Alanis Morissette song sound depressing! The situations that she describes are definitely unlucky.

FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on January 07, 2017:

Patricia - With 7 inches of snow and counting, I need all the luck I can get! Thank you, dear lady, for your kind compliment. Have a healthy, wonderful and prosperous new year.

Patricia Scott from North Central Florida on January 07, 2017:

You have a knack for picking just the spot on songs .....Taking Chances is a favorite of mine....I do believe that we make our own luck, in many ways...

Wishing you a blessed and happy and LUCKY new year.

Angels are headed your way this morning ps

FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on January 06, 2017:

Heidi - Thank you for the suggestion. I will add it. May good fortune smile upon you as well this new year!

FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on January 06, 2017:

Kyriaki - I feel fortunate to have you as a loyal reader. Thank you for your encouragement and may the year ahead be the luckiest one yet for you, filled with happiness, fulfillment, and much success.

FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on January 06, 2017:

Shyron -That old HeeHaw tune sticks in my mind, too. It's something all that your family goes to in the name of superstition, but if it works for you, then wonderful! Luck does have a way of pairing us up with the partner we need, sometimes against some mighty odds. Have a blessed and happy new year full of so much success you don't know what to do with it.

FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on January 06, 2017:

Larry - Thank you. Have a lucky week, my friend.

FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on January 06, 2017:

MsDora - Thank you for your kind comment. Have a lucky week in the Carribean while the those of us in the US battle snowstorms!

FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on January 06, 2017:

Linda - I added Lucker. Who knew? I love learning about places with neat or unusual names. You must know someone there or you've traveled there.

Dora Weithers from The Caribbean on January 06, 2017:

So many different takes on luck. I like the quotes. Another great compilation of songs.

Kyriaki Chatzi on January 05, 2017:

First of all, Happy New Year, Flourish! Wish you the best! May 2017 be full of your music pieces (!) that make us see that there is more to music than pressing the car radio button.

Now for the piece. I certainly didn't know that there were so many songs talking about luck - despite being brainwashed with Pharell's song at the time. Honestly, it was the only one that popped into my head when I first read the title, but -thankfully- you proved me wrong.

Heidi Thorne from Chicago Area on January 05, 2017:

Good way to start the New Year! The only one I can think to add to this great list is Three Coins in the Fountain sung by Frank Sinatra, The Four Aces, and a host of other popular singers over the years. Hope your New Year is filled with Good Fortune. Cheers!

Larry Rankin from Oklahoma on January 05, 2017:

Great list!

Shyron E Shenko from Texas on January 05, 2017:

Flourish, the most unbelievable fortunate (we don't say L**k in this house, things work backwards on us) As the old song goes "If it weren't for bad l**k, I'd have no l**k at all". As I was saying the most fortunate thing that happened to me was meeting and marrying my present hubby.

My favorite on here is Celine Dion and of course the Gambler I think of Kenny every time I sit down at the poker table.

The closest I can come to the kind of songs you have here is Donna Fargo's "Happiest Girl in Whole USA"

Blessings to you my dear friend.

FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on January 05, 2017:

justthemessenger - They must've had a lucky charm when people were voting. Thanks for stopping by! Have a lucky and happy 2017! Hope you don't get snowed on too badly this coming weekend.

Linda Lum from Washington State, USA on January 05, 2017:

Flourish - This was a fun way to begin the New Year--songs about luck tend to be a bit more positive and uplifting. But I'm a bit of a skeptic; I don't believe in "luck". I feel that things happen for a reason. (That's my story, and I'm sticking with it).

I have one more "Luck" place to add to your list. There is a "Lucker" in England. It is in the northeast corner near Bamburgh (close to the borer with Scotland).

FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on January 05, 2017:

Randi - So glad to see you again! I feel lucky! Have a lucky, happy and successful 2017!

FlourishAnyway (author) from USA on January 05, 2017:

Bill - Glad I was able to include some of your favorite groups! Hope you are well and smiling from the inside out. May this be your lucky year!

James C Moore from Joliet, IL on January 05, 2017:

Yet another good creative music list by category. I enjoyed Daft Punk's rendition on luck. However, some music fans they should have won their Grammy awards. They actually believe the group was lucky to win their awards:)

Randi Benlulu from Mesa, AZ on January 05, 2017:

I'm so impressed by the amount of time, energy and research you've done to compile this playlist. It took me s bit to read it because I had to play every song!

Thank you fir a great start to the day!

Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on January 04, 2017:

Oddly, The Gambler was the first song to pop into my head, an oldie but a goodie. It was good to see Mraz and Five For Figthing in the mix, two of my favorite performers.

Always an enjoyable read, my friend. Keep them coming.

Happy New Year to you!