Holding on very loosely to .38 Special
Here's a confession darker and more terrifying than anything I've admitted before as an 80s addict: I once lived in Jacksonville, Fla., for four years.
(Sounds of screaming, as if my digestive tract was removed through an eye socket.)
Once known for its foul-smelling paper plants, these days Jacksonville is known primarily for three things:
- It's the site of the annual Florida-Georgia football game.
- Its residents' love of mustard-based BBQ sauce.
- It's the birthplace of Southern Rock idols Lynyrd Skynyrd, Molly Hatchet and .38 Special.
Every day when I lived there, the FM stations would dedicate at least an hour of noon-time programming entirely to one of the bands (usually Skynyrd, I'm sorry to say). I've heard "Free Bird" more times than I've heard "Come On Eileen." I know every whistle in any Molly Hatchet hit. And I've memorized each harmonizing chorus by .38 Special. It's not a gift. It's a curse. The curse the Jacksonville.
So when I saw that .38 Special was performing with REO Speedwagon on Oct. 23 in Clearwater, I immediately felt queasy -- as if I'd consumed one too many racks of those mustardy ribs. I'm an REO addict so I have great seats to the show -- but can I survive another hour of .38 Special? I think so.
For those new to Southern rock, let me assure you: .38 Special is
no one-hit wonder. More than 20 of their songs hit the charts between 1980 and the late 90s. How do you describe their sound? Skynyrd Lite? That's not fair. Maybe how Toto would sound had they been from southern Georgia? That's closer.
Here's a list for the optimistic side of me. The one that savors the memories of the wide, empty beaches on Jacksonville's Atlantic coast -- not the side of me that also is haunted by that gurgling Willy Wonka chocolate river running through the town called the St. John's.
TOP FIVE .38 SPECIAL TUNES:
5. If I'd Been The One: "Could you smile when inside you just want to cry?"
4. Caught Up In You: "When it's right the light just comes shining through."
3. Teacher, Teacher: "The joke's on those who believe the system's fair."
2. Fantasy Girl: "Now I've had my share and sometimes I swear that I've had me enough."
1. Hold On Loosely: "If you cling to tightly you're gonna lose control."
[Times staff photo; publicity shot from 38special.com]
Relive the music, movies and culture of the greatest decade ever with Times online editor Steve Spears. A teen during the decade, Steve is obsessed with everything from Duran Duran to Journey, John Hughes to John Cusack, and parachute pants to Reaganomics.
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THIS WEEK'S SHOW: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers rock Tampa Bay. To hear the latest "Stuck in the 80s" episode now, 
What about Chain Lightning? Super track! I agree with Hold on Loosely though.....great nostalgia song, it got me through a break-up.
Posted by: Al | October 20, 2007 at 01:05 PM
I haven't heard Chain Lightning since the old days of driving up down I-95 in J-ville, so I'd nearly forgotten about it. Now I'll be hearing it in my sleep!
Posted by: Spears | October 20, 2007 at 01:11 PM
"How do you describe their sound? Skynyrd Lite? That's not fair. Maybe how Toto would sound had they been from southern Georgia?"
What a great idea. A Toto podcast. Toto had some outstanding 80s hits and, whaddya know, they are still together...although they are pretty much through touring in the States.
Posted by: Derek Hale | October 20, 2007 at 01:47 PM
Yes, a Toto podcast. You know Toto was the first ever Stuck in the 80s fan suggestion for a podcast. Two years ago! And we still haven't done it. I'm not sure what we're waiting for.
Posted by: Spears | October 20, 2007 at 02:53 PM
I love .38 Special. They put on a great show. My personal favorite is "Caught Up in You," but "Back Where You Belong" is also up there.
Posted by: Mike | October 20, 2007 at 03:31 PM
Chocolate river? Not anymore, Bud. The flesh-eating bacteria have changed it to a lovely hue of green.
Posted by: Tommy | October 20, 2007 at 05:32 PM
"If I'd Been The One" is one of my favorites. Folks are always surprised but I love .38 Special.
Posted by: Cait | October 20, 2007 at 08:01 PM
HEY..... Another good thing came out of Jacksonville, besides .38 Special... ME! Don't be picking on my home town, Steve!! lol
Not a huge .38 Special fan... love the main hits, esp Caught Up In You and Hold On Loosley!
Hmmmm a Toto podcast... that would be a good one!
Posted by: Carla | October 20, 2007 at 10:14 PM
Oh, come on, Steve. Own up to the fact that you'd gladly go back to Jacksonville for a .38 Special performance - provided .38 Special was the house band at the Warehouse.
Posted by: Johnny B. Goode | October 21, 2007 at 03:31 PM
I'm fairly sure the Warehouse would have never let you or I back in there after that one night. Sing along with me.
"Chairs over guardrails..."
"Fight ... sobriety!"
Those plastic chairs are probably washing ashore some distant Baltic state by now.
Posted by: Spears | October 21, 2007 at 04:35 PM
I love the song One Time For Old Times off of Tour de Force, and Undercover Lover from the same album.
Posted by: Bassnote | October 21, 2007 at 10:37 PM