Among 38 Special's best-known songs are "Caught Up in You" (1982) and "If I'd Been the One" (1983), both of which hit #1 on Billboard magazine's album rock chart, as well as "Second Chance" (1989), a #1 hit on Billboard's adult contemporary chart. According to Songfacts, it was the biggest Adult Contemporary hit of 1989. Other popular singles include "Hold On Loosely" (1981), "Fantasy Girl" (1981), "Back Where You Belong" (1984), and "Somebody Like You" (1986). These and other tracks are often played on classic rock radio stations.
After achieving three platinum albums and one gold album in the 80s, their popularity waned over the 90s-- although their 1997 single "Fade to Blue" hit #37 on the mainstream rock chart. More recently, the group's music came back into prominence after being featured in the 2001 cult classic comedy film 'Super Troopers', with songs such as "Trooper With An Attitude". They continue to tour to audiences in the American south and beyond.
The current lineup is comprised of vocalist Donnie Van Zant, guitarists Don Barnes and Danny Chauncey, bassist Larry Junstrom, keyboardist Bobby Capps, and drummer Gary Moffatt. Recently, both Donnie Van Zant and little brother Johnnie (the current frontman of Lynyrd Skynyrd) have joined forces as Van Zant and have released an album with another in the works.
Hold on Loosely
.38 Special Lyrics
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Good lovin' gone bad
And usually it's too late when you, realize what you had
And my mind goes back to a girl I left some years ago (who told me)
Just hold on loosely
But don't let go
If you cling too tightly
You're gonna lose control
Your baby needs someone to believe in
And a whole lot of space to breathe in
It's so damn easy, when your feelings are such
To overprotect her, to love her too much
And my mind goes back to a girl I left some years ago (who told me)
Just hold on loosely
But don't let go
If you cling too tight babe
You're gonna loose control
Your baby needs someone to believe in
And a whole lot of space to breathe in
Don't let her slip away
Sentimental fool
Don't let your heart get in her way
Yeah, yeah, yeah
You see it all around you
Good lovin' gone bad
And usually it's too late when you, realize what you had
Just hold on loosely
But don't let go
If you cling too tightly
You're gonna lose control
Your baby needs someone to believe in
And a whole lot of space to breathe in
Just hold on loosely
But don't let go
If you cling too tight babe
You're gonna lose it
You're gonna, lose control
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Just hold on loosely
But don't let go
If you cling too tight, babe
You're gonna loose control
Hold on loosely
But don't let go
If you cling too tightly to her
You're gonna loose control
Yeah, yeah, yeah
The song "Hold on Loosely" by the American rock band .38 Special is a timeless classic that talks about relationships and the importance of giving your partner the necessary space rather than clinging on to them too tight which might cause them to slip away. The song is an emotional and cautionary tale with a powerful message that urges lovers to hold onto their love loosely but not let it go for fear of jeopardizing what they have.
The song opens with lamentation on seeing people have good love gone bad. The singer goes further to say that it's usually too late to realize what you had after it's gone. He then reminisces about a girl he left some years ago who told him to hold on loosely but not to let go. He states that it's easy to overprotect your partner and love them too much when your feelings are strong.
The chorus comes in with a reminder that your baby needs someone to believe in and a whole lot of space to breathe in. He goes on to advise the listener not to be a sentimental fool by letting their heart get in the way, thereby taking away the necessary space that their partner needs.
Line by Line Meaning
You see it all around you
The singer observes that many relationships are falling apart.
Good lovin' gone bad
The love that was once good has turned bad.
And usually it's too late when you, realize what you had
People often realize the worth of their past love only after it's gone.
And my mind goes back to a girl I left some years ago (Who told me)
The artist thinks of a past love who gave them advice.
Just hold on loosely
Don't hold on too tightly to love.
But don't let go
But don't let it slip away either.
If you cling to tightly
If you hold on too firmly,
You're gonna lose control
You will lose the ability to keep the relationship together.
Your baby needs someone to believe in
Your partner needs someone to trust and rely on.
And a whole lot of space to breathe in
And also needs personal space to maintain individuality and independence.
It's so damn easy, when your feelings are such
It's effortless to become overprotective and smothering when you're in love.
To overprotect her, to love her too much
To go overboard in protecting and caring for your partner.
Don't let her slip away
Don't let love slip away due to overprotectiveness or suffocation.
Sentimental fool
The singer acknowledges that they can be foolishly sentimental.
Don't let your heart get in her way
Don't let overwhelming emotions hinder your partner's ability to thrive.
Yeah, yeah, yeah
The artist adds emphasis to the previous statements.
Just hold on loosely
Don't hold on too tightly to love.
But don't let go
But don't let it slip away either.
If you cling too tight babe
If you hold on too firmly,
You're gonna lose it
You will lose the relationship.
Hold on loosely
Don't hold on too tightly to love.
But don't let go
But don't let it slip away either.
If you cling too tight babe,
If you hold on too firmly,
You're gonna loose control
You will lose the ability to keep the relationship together.
Yeah, yeah, yeah
The singer emphasizes the importance of not holding too tightly to love.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Richard Donald Barnes, Jeff Carlisi, James Peterik
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind