Chance
Hayley Kiyoko
The Unspoken Longing in Hayley Kiyoko's 'Chance'
Hayley Kiyoko's song 'Chance' delves into the emotional turmoil of unspoken feelings and missed opportunities in a potential romantic relationship. The lyrics capture the internal conflict of the narrator, who is deeply infatuated with someone but is paralyzed by self-doubt and fear of rejection. The song opens with the narrator questioning whether the other person feels the same magnetic energy when they are in the same room, highlighting the uncertainty and anxiety that often accompany unexpressed emotions.
The recurring theme of missed chances is poignantly expressed in the chorus, where the narrator laments their own hesitation and lack of confidence. The line 'I knew she'd never take a chance on me' reflects a self-fulfilling prophecy, where the narrator's belief in their own unworthiness prevents them from taking the necessary steps to pursue the relationship. This sense of regret is further emphasized by the repeated acknowledgment that they 'never let her take a chance' on them, suggesting that the opportunity for love was lost due to their own inaction.
As the song progresses, the narrator's longing becomes more palpable, with a desperate plea to make up for lost time and a lingering hope that things could have been different. The lyrics 'Now that she's gone, gone, gone / Now that it's done, done, done' convey a sense of finality and the painful realization that the chance for a relationship has slipped away. Hayley Kiyoko's emotive delivery and the song's melancholic melody amplify the themes of regret and unfulfilled desire, making 'Chance' a poignant exploration of the complexities of love and the consequences of letting fear dictate one's actions.