In the early days, the music of 38 Special was inspired by their southern roots in the shadows of Lynyrd Skynyrd and other great southern rock bands such as The Allman Brothers Band and Marshall Tucker Band. However, the band did not take long to find major commercial success by sculpting a sound bordering southern rock and pop music. Whatever one decides to label their sound, no one can argue that it was not successful. The powerful vocals of Don Barnes captivated the radio airwaves and MTV audiences with killer vocals on songs like “Caught Up in You” and “Hold On Loosely.” Combined with his deep southern roots, Johnny Van Zant’s vocals blended well with Don Barnes’ pop rock sensibilities.
The band 38 Special has recorded a wide range of material that has crossed many genres. We have attempted to define that wide range in our top ten 38 Special Songs list. Of course, there will be many fan favorites that we did not have room to list. Please keep in mind that we are attempting to show the wide range of the band’s sound and to turn people onto one of the great bands of the Classic Rock Era that are still rolling along strong in today’s musical environment.
# 10 – Wild-Eyed Southern Boys – Wild-Eyed Southern Boys
Opening our top ten 38 Special Songs list is one of the band’s signature songs. The excellent track “Wild-Eyed Southern Boys” was released on their album of the same name, Wild-Eyed Southern Boys, in 1981. Jim Peteriki, a member of the band Survivor, wrote the song. However, labeling Jim Peteriki as just a member of the band Survivor would be a grave injustice to a man who has written some of the most famous songs in the history of classical rock. Jim Peteriki was responsible for penning the massive 1960s hit “Vehicle” by the band Ides of March. Jim Peteriki has also written material for artists such as Sammy Hagar, Cheap Trick, REO Speedwagon, Brain Wilson, and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
“Wild-Eyed Southern Boys,” as the title suggests, is a celebration of the freewheeling, rebellious spirit of Southern youth. The song unfolds like a short story set in a lively juke joint, where the night is electric with energy. The lyrics open with, “It’s a hot night at the juke joint / And the band’s pumpin’ rhythm and blues,” immediately setting a vivid scene that invites listeners into the heart of Southern nightlife. The atmosphere is filled with tension and excitement, a place where rock and roll is more than just music—it’s a lifeline. The mention of “rock and roll blood” and “front page news” hints at the chaos and intensity that accompany these nights, a nod to the culture of living on the edge that defined the Southern rock ethos.
The song’s narrative continues to build on this sense of adventure and danger. The line, “The ladies hate the violence / Still they never seem to look away,” captures the allure of the untamed Southern boys, suggesting a magnetic attraction between them and their audience. This juxtaposition of violence and fascination is key to the song’s appeal, evoking a sense of reckless youth who are both admired and feared. The repetition of the chorus, “Wild-eyed southern boys,” serves as both a rallying cry and a declaration of identity, emphasizing the untamed spirit that defines these characters.
As the song progresses, we meet more characters, like the “man of wealth and power” searching for a “honky tonk angel.” This character is immediately dismissed—”he don’t stand a chance in hell”—because he lacks the authenticity and wildness of the Southern boys. The song positions these “wild-eyed” characters as the true heart of the South, contrasting them against outsiders who might have wealth or status but lack the raw, untamed energy of the local heroes. This distinction underscores a core theme in Southern rock: authenticity over material success, spirit over sophistication.
Musically, the song mirrors its lyrical themes with a driving rhythm and infectious groove, reinforced by Jeff Carlisi’s powerful guitar riffs and Don Barnes’ gritty vocals. The combination of Southern rock and pop elements is a hallmark of 38 Special’s style, and “Wild-Eyed Southern Boys” encapsulates that blend perfectly. It maintains a high energy throughout, much like their other hits like “Caught Up in You” and “Rockin’ into the Night,” but with an even stronger focus on regional pride and the rebellious spirit that makes Southern rock so distinctive.
# 9 – Fantasy Girl – Wild-Eyed Southern Boys
The song “Fantasy Girl” also appeared on the band’s breakout album, Wide-Eyed Southern Boys. Co-written by the band’s lead guitarist Jeff Carlisi and songwriter Jack Grondin, the song explores the timeless theme of longing and unattainable love. It is imbued with a sense of wistfulness that balances the band’s harder-rocking tracks, such as “Wild-Eyed Southern Boys” and “Hold On Loosely.” The song was recorded at Studio One in Doraville, Georgia, a site that has been instrumental in crafting the Southern rock sound, under the production of Rodney Mills.
In “Fantasy Girl,” 38 Special presents a mid-tempo groove laced with melodic guitar lines and Don Barnes’ emotive vocals. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a man caught between reality and fantasy, yearning for an idealized love that exists only in his dreams. Lines like “Me and my fantasy girl, hold on to me, be my fantasy girl, don’t set me free” express the longing and escapism of the narrator, who finds solace in a vision of love that may never be realized. This sense of yearning is underscored by Carlisi’s poignant guitar solo, which captures the emotional turbulence of longing for something just out of reach.
Musically, “Fantasy Girl” serves as a testament to 38 Special’s versatility. While the band is best known for its anthemic rockers like “Rockin’ into the Night,” this track demonstrates a softer, more reflective side. The production leans heavily on the lush harmonies and intricate guitar work, providing a counterpoint to the raw energy of other songs on Wild-Eyed Southern Boys. The song’s chorus is particularly memorable, resonating with listeners and making it a fan favorite during live performances.
# 8 – Back Where You Belong
How could you not love those great opening guitar lines that define the great signature 38 Special Sound? “Back Where You Belong,” from 38 Special’s 1984 album Tour de Force, is one of the band’s quintessential Southern rock tracks that helped define their mainstream success in the mid-1980s. It was written by Gary O’Connor, who had some success as a solo artist in Canada. Gary O’Connor had also written songs for Molly Hatchet and Eddie Money. The song showcases 38 Special’s distinctive fusion of Southern rock grit with a polished, radio-friendly sound. Released as the second single from the album, “Back Where You Belong” became a Top 20 hit, peaking at No. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, a testament to its catchy hooks and mass appeal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yY6N2FP_7F8
# 7 – Teacher Teacher
The 38 Special song “Teacher Teacher” was released on the soundtrack to the motion picture film Teachers, which starred Nick Nolte. The song was written by Jim Vallance and Bryan Adams, whom we recently interviewed. The soundtrack and film were both released in 1984. The song was a top 10 hit on the US Billboard Rock Tracks, peaking at number four. The songs also broke into the mainstream Top 40 charts, reaching the number twenty-five position on the US Billboard Hot 100.
# 6 – Like No Other Night
In 1986, 38 Special released their sixth studio album, Strength in Numbers. It would be Don Barnes’ swan song for the band until he returned a few years later, in 1992. The song “Like No Other Night” continued the band’s string of successful pop singles bordering between rock and pop music. At this point, the band seemed far removed from their earlier Southern rock sensibilities.
# 5 – Second Chance
If one had heard the song “Second Chance” on the radio in 1988, they would have never thought it was 38 Special. Two years after the band had released the single “Like No Other Night,” which had seemed very far removed from their Southern rock sound, the band released a song that solidified that they had turned the corner and were no longer the same band at all that debuted in 1976 from Jacksonville Florida. However, “Second Chance” became the band’s biggest hit. The song reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 Music charts and No.1 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary charts. For that reason alone, we have included the track on our top 10 Essential 38 Special songs list.
# 4 – Deja Vudoo
It’s hard to believe that this is the same band, well, almost the same band that released Second Chance. “Deja Vudoo” is dark and heavy southern blues. The song was released on the band’s tenth album, Resolution. The album’s title pretty much said it all. It was the band’s first album in close to seven years. Gone were the pop sensibilities of the 80’s, with a return to some good old hardcore southern rock. This was an impressive comeback album
# 3 – Hold On Loosely
The following three songs on this Essential Top Ten 38 Special Songs list are among the band’s most popular songs. The three songs defined the peak of the 38 Special sound. While “Second Chance” may have been the band’s highest charting song of their career, the three songs were easily the most loved 38 Special songs by the band’s fans. They were well-loved 38 Special Songs and defined a significant distinction in 1980’s popular culture known as the Big ’80s. For the most part, music was way overproduced in the 80s. However, these songs seemed to find just the right amount of production and grit to turn them into classics.
# 2 – Rockin’ Into The Night
The classic barn burner “Rockin’ Into The Night” opened up the band’s 1980 album of the same name. While the song only reached No.43 on the United States Billboard Charts, it became a staple of FM rock radio. The album also featured Lynyrd Skynyrd‘s legendary pianist, Billy Powell. Singing background vocals on the record was Dale Krantz, who would soon become, only a year later, the lead singer for the Rossington Collins Band. The song was really popular on MTV, turning many people onto the band for the first time. I remember doing a double take and wondering if that was Johnny Van Zant’s brother when I first saw him singing. It turned out it was.
# 1 – Caught Up In You
While many Top 10 lists here at Classic Rock History do not always label the most obvious choice in the number one slot, it’s hard to argue against “Caught Up In You.” The classic song was released on the band’s Special Forces album in 1982. The song was written by Don Barnes, Jeff Carlisi, and Jim Peterik. The musicians on the song included Don Barnes on rhythm guitar and killer lead vocals, Donnie Van Zant on backing vocals, Jeff Carlisi on lead guitar, Larry Junstrom on bass, Steve Brookins, and Jack Grondin on drums.
The song “Caught Up In You” was a huge commercial success for the band, earning them a numb er one dong on the U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart. The song also broke into the prestigious US Billboard Top 100, scoring them a top 10 hits on the charts, where it peaked at number 10. There was just something extraordinary about this song. It put you in a good mood and made you feel really good.
Read More: Complete List Of 38 Special Albums And Discography
Read More: Complete List Of 38 Special Band Members
Updated September 16, 2024
10 Essential 38 Special Songs article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2024
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