Music has a funny way of sticking around. Sometimes a song doesn’t need to be a massive, chart-topping radio hit to end up as the permanent soundtrack to your most private, late-night thoughts. That is basically the story of Ruth B If By Chance, a piano ballad that has quietly outlived many of the louder pop songs from its era.
If you were around for the "Vine era," you probably remember Ruth B as the girl who turned a Peter Pan reference into a multi-platinum career. But while "Lost Boy" was the door-opener, "If By Chance" is the song that proved she wasn’t just a viral fluke. Released on her 2017 debut album Safe Haven, this track has seen a massive resurgence lately. It’s all over TikTok and "sad girl" Spotify playlists, and honestly, it’s not hard to see why. It taps into a very specific, very painful kind of hope.
The Brutal Honesty of Ruth B If By Chance
Most breakup songs fall into two categories: "I hate you" or "I miss you." This song is different. It’s a "I hope you fail so I can have you back" song.
That’s a messy, selfish emotion. It’s also incredibly human. Ruth doesn’t shy away from the darker parts of moving on—or rather, the inability to move on. When she sings, "Is it so wrong of me to hope she breaks your heart?" it feels like a punch to the gut because it's the kind of thought people usually keep buried in their notes app.
Breaking Down the Lyrics and Meaning
The narrative of Ruth B If By Chance is told from the perspective of someone standing on the sidelines of an ex-partner's new life. The lyrics describe the torture of seeing a former lover smile because of someone else.
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Key themes include:
- The Selfishness of Grief: Ruth explicitly says, "I don't mean to be selfish," acknowledging that her desire for the relationship to fail is rooted in her own pain.
- The Waiting Room: The chorus is basically an open invitation. She tells him he will always have a chance in her world, effectively putting her own life on pause.
- The Shared Memory: In the second verse, she wonders if he still hears "their song" or if he’s just replaced her entire existence with his new reality.
Produced by Joel Little—the same guy who helped shape Lorde’s Pure Heroine—the production is intentionally sparse. It’s just Ruth and her piano for the most part, with some haunting strings by Larry Gold that kick in to drive the emotional stakes higher. This "less is more" approach is exactly why the song feels so intimate. It sounds like she’s sitting in your living room at 3:00 AM.
Why It’s Finding a New Audience in 2026
You might be wondering why a song from nearly a decade ago is still relevant. Well, the "slowed + reverb" movement has a lot to answer for. A specific version of Ruth B If By Chance (Slowed + Reverb) has racked up millions of plays, becoming a staple for creators who make "POV" videos about unrequited love or the one that got away.
It also helps that Ruth B herself hasn't stopped. While she recently released "Storm" in late 2025, her older catalog—specifically Safe Haven—remains her most streamed work. Fans who discovered her through "Dandelions" (which also had a massive second life) eventually find their way to the deeper cuts. They find this song. And then they stay.
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The Production Behind the Heartbreak
Joel Little didn't over-process this. That was a smart move. In an interview with Notion Magazine, Ruth mentioned that she loves to use imagery, like a pair of "beat-up runners," to describe broken relationships. While "If By Chance" is more direct than metaphorical, it carries that same "raw and real" energy she’s known for.
The recording process involved a small team:
- Ruth Berhe: Writer and lead vocals.
- Joel Little: Producer and engineer.
- The String Section: A group of violinists and cellists (including Emma Kummrow and Jennie Lorenzo) who added that cinematic swell in the bridge.
The song is over five minutes long. In the world of two-minute TikTok sounds, that's an eternity. But it needs that time to breathe. It needs those long pauses for the listener to actually feel the weight of what she's saying.
Common Misconceptions About the Song
A lot of people think this song is about a specific celebrity breakup, but Ruth has generally stated that her writing is like a journal. It’s more about a universal feeling than a tabloid headline.
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Another big misconception? That it’s a "sweet" love song. If you listen closely to the bridge, it’s actually quite dark. Praying for someone to be "torn apart" just so they’ll come back to you is a pretty heavy sentiment. It’s a song about the desperation that comes with being "the backup plan."
What to Do If This Song Is Your Current Anthem
If you’ve got Ruth B If By Chance on repeat, you’re likely going through it. Music is a great catharsis, but it can also keep you stuck in a loop of nostalgia.
To actually process these feelings, try these steps:
- Journal the "Selfish" Thoughts: Write down the things you're afraid to say out loud, just like Ruth did. Getting them out of your head and onto paper can reduce their power over you.
- Listen to the Full Album: Safe Haven is a journey. If "If By Chance" is the low point, songs like "Superficial Love" offer a bit more of a "know your worth" vibe to balance things out.
- Acknowledge the "Chance": The song ends with her waiting. In real life, ask yourself if waiting is actually serving you or if you’re just afraid of the silence that comes after you finally close the door.
Actionable Insight: If you're looking for more music with this specific vibe, check out Ruth's 2021 album Moments in Between or her 2025 single "Storm." They show a more matured version of the same emotional honesty found in this track.