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.
Burning Bridges
.38 Special Lyrics
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From the last time I saw you
You look so new to these old eyes
So much water's gone over the bridge
That burned between you and I
I've avoided nostalgia ignored the sentimental
Tried to cut myself off from much of the past
All that macho and all that bravado
We do what it takes to keep on pushin'
We do what it takes to survive
But seeing you now here at this moment
Don't it make you wonder
Why'd we want to burn those bridges
Why'd we want to light such a flame
Ain't no way to stay warm at the fire
Of burning bridges burning bridges
I've made some adjustments
Worked out some problems
Nearly drove myself crazy with things I can't change
But all that's history little darlin'
And it's good to see you smile
Just good to see you smile again
You got what it takes to keep on pushin'
You got what it takes to survive
But seeing you now here at this moment
Don't it make me wonder
Why'd we want to burn those bridges
Why'd we want to light such a flame
Ain't no way to stay warm at the fire
Of burning bridges
Why'd we want to cry such a river
Why'd we want to sswim that distant shores
There ain't nothing to see in the light
Of burning bridges
I'm thinkin' that we could start over
But rebuilding bridges takes time
Time to heal time to forgive
Let live and forget
You haven't changed much from the last time I saw you
You look so new to these old eyes
So much water's gone over the bridge so much water
Burning bridges burning bridges burning bridges
The lyrics of .38 Special's song Burning Bridges tell the story of two people who reconnect after many years of being apart. The singer expresses surprise at how little the other person has changed, and reflects on the various challenges that they have faced in their lives since the last time they saw each other. The chorus asks the question: why did we want to burn those bridges? Why did we want to light such a flame? The lyrics suggest that both people are aware of the mistakes they made in the past and are open to rebuilding their relationship, but acknowledge that it will take time and effort to do so.
Line by Line Meaning
You haven't changed much
After all these years, you don't look too different
From the last time I saw you
The last time I saw you, you were the same as you are now
You look so new to these old eyes
Despite the changes around us, you still have a fresh presence
So much water's gone over the bridge
A lot has happened since we last talked
That burned between you and I
That caused us to go our separate ways
I've avoided nostalgia ignored the sentimental
I've tried to move on from the past and not dwell on it
Tried to cut myself off from much of the past
I've attempted to forget what has happened between us
All that macho and all that bravado
All the pride and showiness we once possessed
Makes me want to laugh makes me want to laugh
Now it just seems silly to me
We do what it takes to keep on pushin'
We do what needs to be done to move forward
We do what it takes to survive
We do what we must to make it through
But seeing you now here at this moment
Being around you again after all this time
Don't it make you wonder
Doesn't it make you think about what could have been?
Why'd we want to burn those bridges
Why did we feel the need to cut ourselves off completely?
Why'd we want to light such a flame
Why did we start a fire that burned so hot?
Ain't no way to stay warm at the fire
There's no comfort to be found in the aftermath of that blaze
Of burning bridges burning bridges
We can't go back to what's been lost
I've made some adjustments
I've tried to make some positive changes in my life
Worked out some problems
I've dealt with some of my issues
Nearly drove myself crazy with things I can't change
I almost lost my mind trying to fix what was out of my control
But all that's history little darlin'
But all of that is in the past
And it's good to see you smile
It's nice to see you happy
Just good to see you smile again
It's just great to see you happy
You got what it takes to keep on pushin'
You're resilient and strong enough to keep going
You got what it takes to survive
You're able to make it through the tough times
Don't it make me wonder
Doesn't it make me question our past?
Why'd we want to cry such a river
Why did we waste so much time being upset with each other?
Why'd we want to sswim that distant shores
Why did we feel the need to distance ourselves?
There ain't nothing to see in the light
There's no positive outcome by continuing down that path
I'm thinkin' that we could start over
I'm wondering if we could give things another chance
But rebuilding bridges takes time
It's not something that can happen overnight
Time to heal time to forgive
It would take time to make amends and move forward
Let live and forget
Let's put the past behind us and live in the present
So much water's gone over the bridge so much water
So much time has passed since we last spoke
Burning bridges burning bridges burning bridges
There's no going back to how things used to be
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DANIEL SMITH CHAUNCEY, JEFFREY S. CARLISI, MAX CARL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind