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.
Teacher Teacher
.38 Special Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There was more to this than meets the eye
And for all the things you taught me, only time will tell,
If I'll be able to survive, oh yeah
Teacher, teacher, can you teach me?
Can you tell me all I need to know?
Teacher, teacher, can you reach me?
Am I ready for the real world, will I pass the test?
You know it's a jungle out there
Ain't nothin' gonna stop me, I won't be second best,
But the joke's on those who believe the system's fair, oh yeah
Teacher, teacher, can you teach me?
Can you tell me if I'm right or wrong?
Teacher, teacher, can you reach me?
I want to know what's goin' on, oh yeah
So the years go on and on, but nothing's lost or won
And what you learned is soon forgotten
They take the best years of your life,
Try to tell you wrong from right,
But you walk away with nothing, oh oh
Teacher, teacher, can you teach me?
Can you tell me all I need to know?
Teacher, teacher, can you reach me?
Or will I fall when you let me go?
Teacher, teacher, can you teach me?
Can you tell me if I'm right or wrong?
Teacher, teacher, can you reach me?
I want to know what's goin' on, oh
Teacher, teacher, can you teach me?
Teacher, teacher, can you reach me?
Teacher, teacher, can you teach me?
Teacher, teacher, oh yeah
Teacher, teacher, teacher, teacher
The lyrics to .38 Special's "Teacher Teacher" explore the uncertainties and anxieties that come with navigating the real world after receiving an education. The first verse suggests that even after thinking one has learned their lessons well, there is always more to learn and more to face. The chorus repeatedly asks the titular "Teacher" if they can continue to teach and guide the singer as they venture forth into a chaotic world. The second verse dives deeper into the idea that the primary education system is fundamentally flawed and unfair, yet the individual must still find their way in it. The final verse laments how easily the lessons learned in school can be forgotten, and how one can walk away with nothing despite devoting the best years of their life to education.
The message of the song is clear: education is not enough to prepare someone for the complexities and injustices of the real world. The singer fears that they will fall short, that they require ongoing guidance and support to survive. In this sense, the "Teacher" represents not only an individual teacher figure but a larger societal structure that is responsible for educating and protecting its citizens.
Line by Line Meaning
Just when I thought I finally learned my lesson well,
Just when I think I have a grasp on things, I realize there's more to learn.
There was more to this than meets the eye
Things are not always as they seem.
And for all the things you taught me, only time will tell,
I appreciate what you've taught me, but only time will tell if it was enough.
If I'll be able to survive, oh yeah
I'm not sure if I'm prepared for what comes next. It's uncertain.
Teacher, teacher, can you teach me?
I acknowledge that I still have a lot to learn.
Can you tell me all I need to know?
I'm seeking guidance and wisdom.
Teacher, teacher, can you reach me?
I want to make sure I have the skills and tools to succeed on my own.
Or will I fall when you let me go? Oh no
I'm afraid of failing when I don't have someone to rely on.
Am I ready for the real world, will I pass the test?
I'm uncertain if I'm equipped to face the challenges ahead.
You know it's a jungle out there
The world can be a difficult and competitive place.
Ain't nothin' gonna stop me, I won't be second best,
I'm confident in my abilities and strive to be the best.
But the joke's on those who believe the system's fair, oh yeah
I recognize that the world is not always just or fair.
So the years go on and on, but nothing's lost or won
As time passes, it becomes clear that what I thought was important may not have been significant in the grand scheme of things.
And what you learned is soon forgotten
What I once thought was important can easily fade away with time.
They take the best years of your life,
Society often demands a lot from individuals during what are supposed to be the best years of their lives.
Try to tell you wrong from right,
Individuals are bombarded with conflicting messages about what is right and wrong.
But you walk away with nothing, oh oh
In the end, there may not be a tangible reward or benefit for doing what's right, making it difficult to navigate life's challenges.
Teacher, teacher, can you teach me?
I'm still in need of guidance and direction.
I want to know what's goin' on, oh yeah
I'm eager to understand the world around me and my place in it.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRYAN ADAMS, JAMES DOUGLAS VALLANCE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Music is my life.
Just when I thought I finally learned my lesson well
There was more to this than meets the eye
And for all the things you taught me only time will tell
If I'll be able to survive, oh yeah
Teacher, teacher can you teach me
Can you tell me all I need to know
Teacher, teacher can you reach me
Or will I fall when you let me go, oh no
Am I ready for the real world will I pass the test
You know it's a jungle out there
Ain't nothin' gonna stop me I won't be second best
But the joke's on those who believe the system's fair
Oh yeah
Teacher, teacher can you teach me
Can you tell me if I'm right or wrong
Teacher, teacher can you reach me
I wanna know what's goin' on, ah yeah
So the years go on and on
But nothing's lost or won
And what you learned is soon forgotten
They take the best years of your life
Try to tell you wrong from right
But you walk away with nothing, oh no
Teacher, teacher can you teach me
Can you tell me all I need to know
Teacher, teacher can you reach me
Or will I fall when you let me go
Teacher, teacher can you teach me
Can you tell me if I'm right or wrong
Teacher, teacher can you reach me
I wanna know what's goin' on, oh
Teacher, teacher
Can you teach me
Teacher, teacher
Can you reach me
Teacher, teacher
Can you teach me
Teacher, teacher oh yeah
Teacher, teacher
Teacher, teacher
William Turgeon
Haven't heard this song in 36 yrs. Still great after all these years. My favorite 38 Special song!!
Robert Turgeon
I agree Billy..great song
Portugal XXI
holly cow. which cave have you been in? ^^
Chris Heffernan
@Portugal XXI My favorite song too
Micala Brust
38 Special is one of the greatest bands on earth.The music and sound is timeless 🤘👍.I grew up listening to these guys..
Gary Berry
Right on!
Noe Castaneda
Excelente musicon clásico d las dcs d los 80
Jack in the Shwa
Great song written by Bryan Adams!
Craig Dean
@Jack in the Shwa ohio boy here, I love Southern Rock and 38 special is one of the best!!
Tammie Jeannotte
just saw them in concert a few hrs ago..they still sound exactly like this,,AWESOME!