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.
Back Where You Belong
.38 Special Lyrics
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I guess I'll play it day by day
I'm still around now, my heart is healing
But something's never gonna change
'Cause now I know love ain't easy to find
I let you go, now I'm changing my mind
I know that love, it don't come easy
So love, you must believe me
Ain't gonna let it slip away
I know I was wrong
I want you back where you belong
Want you back where you belong
Back where you belong
I played around now, I've done some dealing
I found that love should be with you
And so you're gone now, my head is reeling
Don't wanna be with someone new
And so I go, with a feeling inside me
'Cause I know what I'm leaving behind
I know that love, it don't come easy
It took so long, it's been hard to find
So love, you must believe me
Ain't gonna let it slip away
I know I was wrong
I want you back where you belong
Want you back where you belong
Back where you belong
I guess in time I stop and think it over
Everything that we've been through
This heart of mine may never find another
Who loves me just the way you do
Hey girl
I heard you're asking how I'm feeling
I guess I'll play it day by day
I'm still around now, my heart is healing
But something's never gonna change
'Cause now I know love ain't easy to find
I let you go, now I'm changing my mind
I know that love, it don't come easy
It took so long, it's been hard to find
So love, you must believe me
Ain't gonna let it slip away
I know I was wrong
I want you back where you belong
Back where you belong, hey, hey
I know that love, it don't come easy
It took so long, it's been hard to find
And so love, you must believe me
Ain't gonna let it slip away, baby
The song "Back Where You Belong" by .38 Special is a classic rock ballad about a man who has come to realize the value of true love after losing it. The first verse suggests the man is trying to move on from his lost love by taking things day by day, but there is still a part of him that can't let go. He knows that love is not easy to find and regrets letting it go. The chorus highlights that love is hard to come by, and he doesn't want to let it slip away again.
In the second verse, the man admits to playing around and losing love by trying to find it in the wrong places. But he ultimately realizes that his love should be with the one who got away. The last verse suggests that the man has thought long and hard about his lost love and that he may never find someone who loved him the way she did. He wants her back where she belongs.
The song's lyrics and melody work together beautifully to capture the sadness, longing, and regret of the man who has come to realize the value of true love after losing it. The song's lyrics leave a lasting impression on the listener, and it strikes a chord with anyone who has ever experienced a lost romance.
Line by Line Meaning
I heard you're asking how I'm feeling
I am aware that you are curious about my emotional state
I guess I'll play it day by day
I am taking things one day at a time and not making any commitments
I'm still around now, my heart is healing
I am still present in your life and trying to recover from my emotional pain
But something's never gonna change
Despite my efforts to move on, some things cannot be changed
'Cause now I know love ain't easy to find
I have come to the realization that finding true love is a difficult task
I let you go, now I'm changing my mind
I made the mistake of letting you go, but now I want you back in my life
I know that love, it don't come easy
I fully understand that finding love is a challenging endeavor
It took so long, it's been hard to find
It has taken me a long time to find love, and it has been a challenging journey
So love, you must believe me
I need you to trust me when I say that I am committed to our relationship
Ain't gonna let it slip away
I am not going to allow our love to fade away
I know I was wrong
I acknowledge that I made a mistake in letting you go
I want you back where you belong
I want you to return to the place where you belong, by my side
I played around now, I've done some dealing
I have made some poor decisions and engaged in undesirable behavior
I found that love should be with you
I have realized that my true love is with you
And so you're gone now, my head is reeling
Your absence has left me feeling disoriented and overwhelmed
Don't wanna be with someone new
I have no desire to be with anyone else
And so I go, with a feeling inside me
I have mixed feelings as I contemplate moving on from our relationship
'Cause I know what I'm leaving behind
I am aware of what I will lose if I choose to walk away from our relationship
I guess in time I stop and think it over
I may need to take a step back and consider the situation more deeply
Everything that we've been through
I am reflecting on our shared history and all that we have experienced together
This heart of mine may never find another
I fear that I may never find another person who loves me as you do
Who loves me just the way you do
I appreciate the unique love that you have for me
Back where you belong, hey, hey
I want you to return to the place where you belong by my side
And so love, you must believe me
I need you to have faith in me and our love
Ain't gonna let it slip away, baby
I am determined to hold onto our love and not let it fade away
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GARY WILLIAM O'CONNOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dale Cackowski
Excellent quality download.
Drums have extra punch and overall great imaging as compared to all others...probably closest to what original recording room heard.
leon uy
38 Special is such a great band! Their 80s songs really rock!
M C Taylor
They were MEN---not the teeny boppers you hear nowadays.