38 Special Songs Ranked
38 Special (sometimes stylized as .38 Special) is an American rock band that was formed by neighborhood friends Don Barnes and Donnie Van Zant in 1974 in Jacksonville, Florida, United States.
The band’s first two albums had a strong Southern rock influence. By the early 1980s, 38 Special had shifted to a more accessible guitar-driven arena rock style without completely abandoning its Southern rock roots. This shift helped to usher in a string of successful albums and singles. Engineer Rodney Mills, who had worked with Atlanta Rhythm Section and others, assumed the producer’s reins from here on and Survivor co-founder Jim Peterik became a frequent songwriting collaborator of the band’s from 1979 on, which helped account for this change in sound and subsequent success. “Rockin’ into the Night”, the title track from the group’s third album (released in October 1979), which Peterik and his bandmates had originally written for Survivor, was instead given to 38 Special. Sung by 38’s guitarist Don Barnes (who would sing lead vocals on all of the band’s hits through 1987), the tune became their first song to receive national airplay, peaking at #43 on Billboard Hot 100 in early 1980. This paved the way for their platinum supercharged fourth record, Wild-Eyed Southern Boys (January 1981), and its bigger hit “Hold On Loosely” (which reached #27 in 1981). Here are all of 38 Special songs ranked.
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20. Back to Paradise (Flashback: The Best of 38 Special, 1987)
” Great soaring vocals with some smooth riffs. I honestly dont like these guys very much…I find them to be rather safe and generic,tailor made for make out sessions in the back seat of your car.”
19. You Keep Runnin’ Away (Special Forces, 1982)
“Epic track that builds up to an amazing peak of sound and image I think this song is the best song of all time, totally serious”
18. Somebody Like You (Strength in Numbers, 1986)
“Really enjoy the music of 38 Special. Highly recommend their music! Absolutely brilliant…my favourite song of all time. Instrumental genius!”
17. Like No Other Night (Strength in Numbers, 1986)
“heir sound was smoothing out into a more pop feel, which was OK by me, but I missed the bit of grit they used to put into their singles. Both the verses and chorus are pretty catchy, but they don’t seem to fit together all that well – it sounds like we’re moving to a new song in a medley each time we go from one to the other.”
See more: 38 Special Albums Ranked
16. Rough Housin’ (Special Forces, 1982)
“There are so many incredible parts to this song. The writers must have been incredible inspired. I listened to this song all my life but only recently realized how complex it is.”
15. Stone Cold Believer (Rockin’ into the Night, 1979)
“Just amazing combination of music and lyrics. Reminds me of the good ole days! It has everything. All pieces in the band are represented.”
14. Chain Lightnin’ (Special Forces, 1982)
“Simply a masterpiece. So catchy, I find myself singing it for hours after I listen to it. Most definitely one of their best!”
13. Radioactive (38 Special, 1977)
“Has an almost haunting atmosphere, with great lyrics and a very solemn mood. The guitar rift at the end is sheer magic! A song you will never forget.”
12. Fantasy Girl (Wild-Eyed Southern Boys, 1981)
“The progression of the song, and the different use of instruments is outstanding. Really reminds me of childhood, the song definitely makes you reminisce”
11. Back Where You Belong (Tour de Force, 1984)
“You know, I have to give full props to bassist Larry Junstrom for understanding the effectiveness of ‘admirable restraint’ at times in a song. More than one 38 Special was made all the better due to his willingness to ‘rest’, making it that much more effective when he comes in.”
10. Take Me Back (Special Delivery, 1978)
“Seriously this song makes me feel so many things. Probably the most beautiful song ever composed, and has so many different elements going for it, it is their best composition ever in my opinion.
9. Teacher, Teacher (Teachers, 1984)
“There are so many incredible parts to this song. The writers must have been incredible inspired. I listened to this song all my life but only recently realized how complex it is.”
8. Twentieth Century Fox (Tour de Force, 1984)
“Just an amazing combination of music and lyrics. Reminds me of the good ole days! It has everything. All pieces in the band are represented. “
7. If I’d Been the One (Tour de Force, 1984)
“This one is also uplifting in a surprisingly pessimistic way, which makes it really have a fine emotional weight to it. If something bad happens, don’t let it get you down.”
See more: Fountains of Wayne Albums Ranked
6. What Can I Do (Special Delivery, 1978)
“The ending part to this song is my favorite part of a song ever, amazing all around! A magnificent song, I get goosebumps just remembering some of the lyrics”
5. Wild-Eyed Southern Boys (Wild-Eyed Southern Boys, 1981)
“Some people like melodic southern rock and that’s okay but I prefer a little guts to my southern rock and that is sorely missing here. The title of this long play is very misleading.”
4. Hold On Loosely (Wild-Eyed Southern Boys, 1981)
“Their first top forty hit, and one of those that are still played quite a bit ’til this very day. It may simply be the burn factor, but I’m rather ambivalent when this comes on.”
3. Rockin’ Into the Night (Rockin’ Into the Night, 1979)
“Rockin’ into the night is a quintessential rock n roll classic that belongs in every comprehensive collection. You can’t go wrong with this number, so enjoy from southern rock bad boys.”
2. Second Chance (Rock & Roll Strategy, 1988)
“I heard this song in a classic compilation and fell in love with it instantly. Pity I don’t feel the same way about their other songs.”
1. Caught Up In You (Special Forces, 1982)
“Their biggest hit, and still their most known/remembered/beloved song, but to me, it was always just pleasantly acceptable radio fodder. I like the song enough as it spools out, I guess, but when I hit the bridge, I start thinking “no, this song didn’t need to be this long.”
