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.
What Can I Do
.38 Special Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Through all these years, but I still think of you
You're in my dreams, I have seen the life we should have had
But I'm so glad that the truth is out at last
So what can I do with a love like this in my heart?
So what can I do, it's tearin' me apart?
Oh, what can I do? What can I do?
Why can't you see that it's you I've always loved?
I traveled far with memories, I'm thinkin' of
Through all of this time, thought my love would have passed
But I know now that our love was meant to last
So what can I do with a love like this in my heart?
What can I do, babe, it's tearin' me apart?
Oh, it's been a while since we been alone
And I know it's sad but I'd die for your [Incomprehensible]
I close my eyes and I see you by my side
My hopes and dreams of our love is my desire
I want you to know that this love was still alive
So I held on to a lie I had to try
What can I do with a love like this in my heart?
So what can I do, babe, it's tearin' me apart?
What can I do? What can I do?
The lyrics of .38 Special's song What Can I Do are about a long-lasting love that the singer cannot let go of. Despite the passing of years, he still thinks of his lover and dreams about their life together. He knows that their love was meant to last and is torn apart by the strength of his feelings. The singer wonders what he can do with a love like this in his heart and why his lover cannot see that he has always loved her.
The chorus repeats the same questions, highlighting the helplessness and confusion the singer feels about his situation. He has tried to move on, but he knows in his heart that their love is still alive. The verse where he confesses that he held on to a lie he had to try is particularly poignant. It reveals the depth of the singer's despair at not being able to be with his lover and the lengths he has gone to keep their love alive in his heart.
Overall, What Can I Do is a powerful song about the agony of unrequited love. It speaks to anyone who has loved deeply and been unable to let go, despite the pain it causes.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I don't know why I feel the way that I do
I am uncertain about the reason behind my feelings
Through all these years, but I still think of you
Despite time passing by, the thought of you still lingers in my mind
You're in my dreams, I have seen the life we should have had
In my dreams, I see a different reality where we had a better life together
But I'm so glad that the truth is out at last
I am relieved that the truth has been revealed
So what can I do with a love like this in my heart?
I am unsure of what to do about my intense love for you
So what can I do, it's tearin' me apart?
My love for you is causing me great emotional pain and distress
Why can't you see that it's you I've always loved?
I wish you could understand that I have always loved you
I traveled far with memories, I'm thinkin' of
I have gone far from you, but I still think of our memories together
Through all of this time, thought my love would have passed
I thought that my love for you would have faded over time
But I know now that our love was meant to last
I have realized that our love was always meant to endure
Oh, it's been a while since we been alone
It's been a long time since we were together in solitude
And I know it's sad but I'd die for your [Incomprehensible]
I am aware that it's pitiable, but I would give anything for your love
I close my eyes and I see you by my side
When I close my eyes, I imagine you being beside me
My hopes and dreams of our love is my desire
My longing for our love to be successful is my deepest desire
I want you to know that this love was still alive
I want you to understand that my love for you is still alive
So I held on to a lie I had to try
I clung to a falsehood because I had to test its validity
What can I do with a love like this in my heart?
I am still unsure of what to do about my strong affection for you
What can I do, babe, it's tearin' me apart?
My love for you is causing me great emotional turmoil and confusion
What can I do? What can I do?
I am desperately seeking a solution to my emotional predicament
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DONALD N. VAN ZANT, RICHARD DONALD BARNES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mikey Ramone
Well I don't know why I feel
The way I do
All these years but I still think of you.
In my dreams I have seen the life
We should have had
I'm so glad that the truth is out at last
What can I do
With the love like this in my heart?
What can I do
Baby it's tearing me apart?
So what can I do?
Why can't you see that it's you
I've always loved?
I've traveled far with mem'ries
I'm thinking of
All of this time I've thought
My love would have passed
Well I know now that the love
Is meant to last.
What can I do
With the love like this in my heart?
What can I do
Baby it's tearing me apart?
It's been a while since we've been alone
I know it's sad but I've gotta go...
I close my eyes and I see you by my side
My hopes and dreams of our love
Is my desire
I want you to know
That this love was still alive
So I held on to the life I haven't tried
What can I do
With the love like this in my heart?
What can I do
Baby it's tearing me apart?
So what can I do?
TheTVisions
Carlisi's one of the best guitarists ever, he's certainly in my Top 10.
ThatFlyGuitarSpy
As good as Barnes is, thats not him doing the lead. His parts are panned left on this album. That solo is in the right channel, so its Carlisi. Plus it sounds a lot like his playing to me, not Don's.
Pete B
sorry but Don Barnes played this solo
Lone Warrior
TheTVisions Totally agree, his phrasing, choice of notes, fills and harmonic bends make every song come alive. He played for the song and delivered.
Benoit Vanhees
+TheTVisions In his genre, certainly, but it's difficult to compare guitarists from very different genres
David Hancock
Got my original vinyl copy of this album , bought when it came out . Never get tired of these superb tunes . Brings back great memories !
James Wilson
Absolutely one of the best songs I've ever heard...to bad their not a good fan band.
Mikey Ramone
Don Barnes - Donnie Van Zant - Jeff Carlisi - Steve Brookins, Jack Grondin, and Larry Junstrom. Legends. Southern rock lives on.
swainson southern hot mess
This song just says it ALL.. ...if some one feels like this in their lives.. YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO....
Marky Diamond
3:02- Is still to this day, the sexiest thing I have ever heard in my life. Those harmonics are quite literally ear candy!