38 Special is an American rock band. Formed by vocalist Donnie Van Zant in … Read Full Bio ↴38 Special is an American rock band. Formed by vocalist Donnie Van Zant in 1975 in Jacksonville, Florida, the band initially had a straight-ahead Southern rock sound, much like Lynyrd Skynyrd, the band of his older brother Ronnie. By the early 1980s, the band began incorporating elements of blues rock, pop rock, and arena rock into their sound, kicking off a string of successful albums and singles.

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.

Take Me through The Night
.38 Special Lyrics

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Hope the circle won't be broken
By the way things have to be
Cause I don't really think you know
What you do to me
Well it's kinda like a movie
That you've seen so many times
Can't get you outta my mind

Take me through the night
The lonely, lonely night
It's a thing I only live for
Another chance to make it right
Take me through the night
Take me through the lonely, lonely night
A dream I've always wished for
Hope it's alright (Hope it's alright)

Knowing how your feelings were
I had to say goodbye
We had a magic
That you can't describe
A dreamer's world we lived in
Of memories I can't forget
Let me dream of you tonight

Take me through the night
The lonely, lonely night
It's a thing I only live for
Another chance to make it right
Take me through the night
Take me through the lonely, lonely night
A dream I've always wished for
Hope it's alright

Take me through the night
The lonely, lonely night
A dream I've always wished for
Take me through the night

Hope it's alright
Gotta take me through the lonely night

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of the song "Take Me Through the Night" by .38 Special seem to be about a longing for a lost love. The singer reflects on the past and hopes that they can be taken through the night and back into the past, where they could once again experience the love they once had. The first verse touches on the hope that their relationship won't be broken permanently, that somehow things will work out despite the difficulties they may have faced. The singer doesn't believe the other person realizes the impact they had on them, likening the situation to a movie they can't get out of their head.

The pre-chorus touches on the pain of leaving someone despite having a magical connection with them. The second verse reflects on how it was a dreamer's world the two lived in, filled with memories they can't forget. The chorus emphasizes the hope that the singer will again have another chance to make things right with the person they lost. It's almost as if they want to escape the loneliness of the present and be taken back to the past, and they view that as their only hope for happiness.

Overall, the song seems to reflect on the regret and longing that comes with a lost love. The lyrics express the desire to go back in time and relive the experience with a person who meant so much to them.

Line by Line Meaning

Hope the circle won't be broken
I hope this relationship doesn't end abruptly

By the way things have to be
Due to circumstances beyond our control

Cause I don't really think you know
I don't believe you understand

What you do to me
The effect you have on me

Well it's kinda like a movie
Our relationship feels like something from a film

That you've seen so many times
Familiar, but still captivating

Can't get you outta my mind
I can't stop thinking about you

Take me through the night
Be with me through the darkness

The lonely, lonely night
When I'm alone and need you

It's a thing I only live for
The only thing I truly look forward to

Another chance to make it right
An opportunity to fix what's been broken