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.
Fantasy Girl
.38 Special Lyrics
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That so many yearnings
Are never to be
Childhood illusions
Merely delusions
Of a girl that I see
In my mind's eye
I see clearly a vision of how it could be
Me and my fantasy girl
Hold on to me
Be my fantasy girl
Don't set me free
Now I've had my share
And sometimes I swear
That I've had me enough
You end up in sorrow
Broken tomorrows
Love can be tough
But my mind's eye
Sees a vision of true love and how it should be
Me and my fantasy girl
Hold on to me
Be my fantasy girl
Don't set me free
Be my fantasy
Yeah, yeah, yeah
I see clearly a vision of how it could be
Be my fantasy
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
Be my fantasy girl
Hold on to me
Your my fantasy girl
Don't set me free
Be my fantasy girl
Hold on to me
Your my fantasy girl
Don't set me free
Yeah, from this fantasy
The lyrics to .38 Special's song "Fantasy Girl" revolve around the idea of a man yearning for a fantasy girl that he sees in his mind's eye. The first verse describes how the man is learning that many of his childhood yearnings were mere delusions, except for the girl that he sees in his imagination. The chorus repeats the phrase "Me and my fantasy girl, hold on to me, be my fantasy girl, don't set me free" emphasizing the man's desire to keep his fantasy girl by his side.
In the second verse, the man admits that he has experienced heartbreak in his life, but he still believes in the power of true love. He continues to see a vision of how a relationship should be in his mind's eye, with his fantasy girl by his side. The song ends with the chorus repeating again and again, cementing the man's desire for his dream girl in the listener's mind.
Overall, the song speaks to the power of imagination and the yearning for an ideal lover that we may never find in real life. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the strength of the man's desire for his fantasy girl, even though she may only exist in his mind.
Line by Line Meaning
Lately I'm learnin'
Recently, I have come to understand
That so many yearnings
That many of my desires
Are never to be
Will never come to fruition
Childhood illusions
The hopes and dreams of youth
Merely delusions
Were only figments of my imagination
Of a girl that I see
Of a woman that I imagine
In my mind's eye
In my imagination
I see clearly a vision of how it could be
I have a clear picture of how it could be
Me and my fantasy girl
The woman of my imagination and I
Hold on to me
Stay close to me
Be my fantasy girl
Be the woman of my dreams
Don't set me free
Don't leave me
Now I've had my share
I've experienced enough
And sometimes I swear
And there are moments when I promise
That I've had me enough
That I've had my fill
You end up in sorrow
Love often leads to sadness
Broken tomorrows
Futures that are uncertain and unhappy
Love can be tough
Love can be difficult
Sees a vision of true love and how it should be
I imagine a picture of genuine love and how it ought to be
Me and my fantasy girl
The woman of my imagination and I
Be my fantasy girl
Be the woman of my dreams
Don't set me free
Don't leave me
Be my fantasy
Be the woman I dream of
Yeah, yeah, yeah
An expression of excitement or enthusiasm
Your my fantasy girl
You are the woman of my dreams
Yeah, from this fantasy
Yes, from this imagined world
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAMES M. PETERIK, JEFF CARLISI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dannymundycomedy
56 yrs old. Rocked out to the wild eyed southern boys cassette on the way to school all through my senior year. Man that was a minute ago.😮
@MichaelsHitMusic
You got that right.
@Anthony-xh2wx
Kind of literally seems like a minute don't it bud
@alanrichardson5341
Stone cold
@Anthony-xh2wx
@@alanrichardson5341 stone cold believer
@kristianjohnson1789
Back in my senior year 81' I bought so many albums including this one, the store owner gave me their promo poster off his wall. Good times indeed!
@kodiakbearson8815
Jeff Carlisi's guitar work mid - song and outro solo can only be summed up by one single word,..........
PERFECTION.
What a time to be young, alive and loving every second of it.
I will never forget nor regret.
@jwbru2531
Agreed! Jeff is so criminally underrated! His songwriting was also crucial to the band..
@TheRobbs
Great guitar!
@high-speedfreighttrains934
He was able to make that guitar cry!