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.
Wild-Eyed Southern Boys
.38 Special Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the bands pumpin' rhythm and blues
Gonna spill a little rock and roll blood tonight
Gonna make some front page news
And the ladies hate the violence
Still they never seem to look away
'Cause they love those
Wild eyed boys
Wild eyed southern boys
It's a southern point of honor
You got a get right in on the action
You can hear the outlaws holler
Fight for the lady in black
And she's just one in a million
But she's all I need tonight
'Cause she loves those
Wild eyed southern boys
Wild eyed boys
Wild eyed southern boys
Wild eyed boys, oh yeah
Wild eyed boys
A man of wealth and power
Is out on the dance hall floor
He got a champagne Eldorado parked outside the door
And he's looking for a honky tonk angel
But he don't stand a chance in hell
'Cause he ain't no wild eyed southern boy
Wild eyed boy
Wild eyed southern boys, wild eyed boy
Wild eyed southern boys, wild eyed boy
Wild eyed southern boys, wild eyed boy
Wild eyed southern boys, wild eyed boy
Wild eyed southern boys, wild eyed boy
The lyrics of .38 Special's song "Wild-Eyed Southern Boys" describe a scene of a hot night at a juke joint where the band is pumping rhythm and blues. The singer describes how they are going to make some front page news and the ladies who hate the violence, yet they never seem to look away. However, the singer believes that they love those wild-eyed southern boys who are known to be violent and tough. It's a southern point of honor to get right in on the action and hear the outlaws holler. The singer talks about fighting for the lady in black, who is just one in a million, but she's all he needs tonight. The lady is attracted to the tough and wild guys who are the wild-eyed southern boys.
The lyrics suggest that the wild-eyed southern boys are attractive to the ladies because they are tough and dangerous, but they are also a point of pride for Southern men who consider it an honor to participate in the action. However, it also suggests that there is an undercurrent of violence that is necessary to maintain their image. The lyrics reflect the time when Southern rock was at its heyday in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a hot night at the juke joint
The atmosphere is buzzing with excitement and heat at the music venue
And the bands pumpin' rhythm and blues
The bands are energetically playing rhythm and blues music
Gonna spill a little rock and roll blood tonight
There will be intense, energetic rock and roll performances later on
Gonna make some front page news
The anticipated action will create headlines and gain attention from the media
And the ladies hate the violence
The female audience disapproves of the violent aspects of the performance
Still they never seem to look away
Despite their disapproval, they cannot help but keep watching
'Cause they love those
The female audience still enjoys and appreciates the wild performances
Wild eyed southern boys
The performers are wild, enthusiastic southern boys
Wild eyed boys
The performers are wild and energetic boys
Wild eyed southern boys
The performers are wild, enthusiastic southern boys
It's a southern point of honor
It is considered an expected aspect of a southern culture
You got a get right in on the action
It is necessary to participate in the event to fully experience it
You can hear the outlaws holler
The rebel performers are making a loud, enthusiastic noise
Fight for the lady in black
The performers are passionately vying for the attention of a particular woman
And she's just one in a million
Although there are many women in attendance, this one is special to the performers
But she's all I need tonight
The performer is solely focused on impressing and entertaining her tonight
'Cause she loves those
The woman enjoys and appreciates the wild performances
Wild eyed southern boys
The performers are wild, enthusiastic southern boys
Wild eyed boys
The performers are wild and energetic boys
Wild eyed southern boys
The performers are wild, enthusiastic southern boys
Wild eyed boys, oh yeah
The performers are wild and energetic boys, without a doubt
A man of wealth and power
A wealthy and influential man is in attendance
Is out on the dance hall floor
He is enjoying himself on the dance floor
He got a champagne Eldorado parked outside the door
He has a luxurious car waiting outside the venue
And he's looking for a honky tonk angel
He is searching for a woman he can show off and impress
But he don't stand a chance in hell
The women at the event are unimpressed by his wealth and power
'Cause he ain't no wild eyed southern boy
He cannot compare to the wild, enthusiastic southern boys who are performing
Wild eyed boy
The performers are wild and energetic boys
Wild eyed southern boys, wild eyed boy
The performers are wild, enthusiastic southern boys who are full of energy
Wild eyed southern boys, wild eyed boy
The performers are wild, enthusiastic southern boys who are full of energy
Wild eyed southern boys, wild eyed boy
The performers are wild, enthusiastic southern boys who are full of energy
Wild eyed southern boys, wild eyed boy
The performers are wild, enthusiastic southern boys who are full of energy
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAMES M. PETERIK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
F. Morgani
Seen these guy's at Dover downs, international speed way.. 15 years or so back..
They came out, open air, full daylight
And did the show, without a hitch,
I was impressed with this band for year's, after seeing that..
Nothing but professional, all the way..
Without the aid of spring's, mirrors, strings, (other than on the guitars)
Or any lubercation...
They shook the place..
This band is one of the very best in the business...
HINCH
38 Special should be in the Rock Hall of Fame hands down !!! Epic band
tubesockets120v
They aren't?
Don Dale
They are all 💯 100%
Simon Rodgers
Not famous enough
Mary Harrison
@Simon Rodgers they are very famous. Apparently you're to young to remember the 80s
Richard Phillips
Just another Sknard band good job
Marcia Holloway
38 Special definitely deserves to be in The Rock and roll Hall of fame... These guys are awesome
aldrichc637gmailcom
Hi Marcia
It's a beautiful & heart touching song❤❤Hello from Scotland!.
How are you doing today? I guess you have a great passion for music just like I do? I hope to hear from you soon!!!
Kearney Dillon
These guys had more talent in a pinky toe than todays "stars" ever had or will have.
Allan
True. Some of the dude's today are well...I'll just say "they suck," those there's much more to it than that...