Instantly Recognizable Southern-Rock Anthem From 1981 Is Hitting the Road Again
There are songs that stick in your mind. And then there are songs that stick with you for life. 38 Special's "Hold On Loosely" is in the latter camp. A windows-down Southern rock anthem about love and letting go, it's the type of track that never gets old. And now, you'll get to hear it live again, as 38 Special is currently on the road for their 50 Year Legacy Tour.
Kicking off this month, the band is performing some shows solo and others alongside legendary acts, including Midwest rockers Kansas, Rick Springfield, Warrant, and John Waite. Of course, with every pit stop 38 Special will be bringing all their classics, including "Caught Up in You," "Rockin' Into the Night," and, of course, their signature, "Hold On Loosely."
Released in February 1981 on their fourth studio album, Wild-Eyed Southern Boys, "Hold On Loosely" climbed its way up the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 27 that May. Over on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks, it got all the way to No. 3. The song was also in heavy rotation on MTV and radio stations - just further proof of its crossover appeal.
Ever since it was conceived by the band's Don Barnes and Jeff Carlisi with Survivor's Jim Peterlik, no one has let go of this smash. Its huge melodic chorus, emotional sincerity, and crunch Southern rock guitars? It's the stuff songs of the summer are made of.
Founded in 1974, the band is celebrating 50 years together, more than 20 million albums sold, and 15+ albums of riff-heavy Southern rock. Their latest record, Milestone, dropped last September, delivering a compilation of "snarling guitars, anthemic melodies, and the desire to break new goal."
"After all this time, we wanted to create a more modern 38 Special album," Barnes said, via the band's website. "This is a fresh, updated approach to the sound we've been making together for so long. Why not make a big statement after all these years? When you're reintroducing yourself to the world, 'good enough' doesn't work anymore. If you're gonna do it, you might as well go big.
The cross-country tour continues through November.
For tickets and dates, visit their website.
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This story was originally published May 29, 2026 at 12:36 PM.