‘Taking Chances’ by Matt Kennedy review

Matt Kennedy, is a Canadian Country artist who grew up on 90’s Country, listening to Vince Gill, Travis Tritt and Alan Jackson.

‘Taking Chances’ is Matt’s debut single and he tells me how it’s about the “spark of excitement that new love brings to you when you find someone that pushes you to move”. Drawing from personal experiences, Matt further explains that the second chance at love references “the mirrored reality is that this is also my second shot at the music industry and sharing my music with the world”.

After randomly getting together with two guys who were in a band together when they were teenagers, they all decided to get the band back together. They’re now writing and releasing music together and Matt tells me “it couldn’t be more fulfilling!!”.

“Taking Chances is all about just going for it, so that's what I'm doing!”

‘Taking Chances’ was released 11th September 2026, with the music video released 14th October 2026. Both the track and video are available to watch and stream now.

“I see your sunrise smile

In the dashboard glow

Bare feet up

Singin' every song you know.”

The song starts with a strong anthemic guitar, before the lyrics come in painting a great image of a “sunrise smile”. Clearly forming part of a romantic storyline in a truck with reference to “dashboard glow” it almost suggests a carpool karaoke vibe as they’re “singin’ every song you know”.

“I had a five-year plan

Had it all mapped out

But you rolled the windows down

And spun me all around.”

These lyrics depict how we can have our life already figured out, and then something or someone comes along and totally changes our plans. Often that’s what happens in love; we have our own individual vision of our life, where we live, how big a family we’ll have etc, however the moment there’s someone else involved then concessions and compromises are made. Conversely, in a positive stance, if there were plans but the opportunity to make it even better by including another person, then why wouldn’t you!? Life is all about enjoyment and spreading joy.

“Now my heart's in the fast lane

You lean in close

Let's get lost on these open roads.”

This lyric uses Ian interesting metaphor comparing our heart to a vehicle, possibly an intended comparison to draw back to the earlier reference of car parts, “dashboard”, “windows”. The final part of the lyric is suggestive of having a long life together, “get lost on these open roads” with ‘open roads’ being a metaphor for life.

“You got me taking chances

Two lane driftin

Sideways glances

Blow right past that exit sign

Lose a little sleep

Lose track of time

You got me taking chances.”

The chorus suggests being careless and risk taking, perhaps in an effort to show off, however also speaks to both confidence in oneself by taking the chances, but equally the indecisiveness as “two lane driftin”. “Sideways glances” suggests being extra vigilant, perhaps having been hurt previously. Equally, the lyric captures a road trip of two lovers getting caught in each others glances, and eyes, drawing focus off of the road, hence the “Two lane driftin”.“Blow right past that exit sign” suggests not wanting to give up on something, holding the course and reaching the destination.

“Burnin' midnight miles

Caution to the wind

Clothes on the bank

As we dive right in

Two shadows making waves

In the truck headlights

It's gettin' late

But we ain't heading home tonight.”

This verse frames the time of it all “burning’ midnight miles” but can also be suggestive of going the extra mile for a relationship or personal development. The remainder of this verse continues to paint a vivid picture with “clothes on the bank”, and “two shadows making waves” be that literally, or metaphorically. This verse finishes with clear boundaries in so much as “It’s gettin’ late, but we ain’t heading home tonight.

“You're a little bit of sweet

A little trouble in them jeans

A don't look back kind of gasoline.”

These lyrics portray a “sweet” yet playful figure causing “a little trouble in them jeans”. This is perhaps metaphor for the good life we have, and the temptations trying to distract us from our lives, envisioned or otherwise.

The song returns to the chorus of “Taking Chances” reminding us that there’s always a choice, and opportunity if we’re ready to accept it.

“You got me feeling reckless

Like life don't need a checklist.”

The feeling of reckless perhaps suggests the disruption a new love causes to how we envision our life panning out. Equally whilst it’s good to be prepared and organised, sometimes we need the spontaneity, no checklist and be a little reckless yet responsible.

“Oh, nothing I've felt before

Could ever match this

Oh, you got me taking chances

No more waiting on someday

No more standing on the line

If your hand's in my hand

Oh, I'll jump every time.”

This verse portrays the trenches of love, being so besotted and the sense of fulfilment with that person (or activity). It infers the buzz we feel during this time can cause us to take chances, possibly by means of trying to impress. There’s an impatience about it and citing “no more waiting” and also how they’re ready to “jump every time” into life with them.

The song plays out by repeating the chorus twice, serving as yet another reminder to ride our own road, and it’s ok for “two lane driftin” when making those choices, and also ok to “blow right past that exit sign” if we’re still enjoying the road we’re on in life.

“Like life don't need a checklist

Nothing I've felt before

Could ever match this

Yeah, you got me taking chances.”

The song finishes on a timely reminder that our lives “don’t need a checklist”, and shouldn’t be measured against the lives of others. It’s either the right time for you, or it’s not meant to be just yet. Once more the song eludes to that butterfly feeling “nothing I’ve ever felt before could ever match this” and has us trying to impress and “got me taking chances.”

“Taking Chances” was released 11th September 2026 and the music video on 14th October 2026. Make sure you’re following Matt’s social media for more of his upcoming releases and any tour dates as well as his Spotify for his soon to be vast catalogue of music - https://open.spotify.com/artist/1M6JyeJbBYrvUk9v5HiqVJ?si=H15CLnJATOKHx0s6QWU6lg&utm_source=copy-link.