ROCK MOMENT – .38 Special ‘Second Chance’
‘Second Chance’ marked a turning point in the history of Southern rock band .38 Special, showing a different side of a group best known for their guitar-driven anthems like ‘Hold On Loosely’ and ‘Caught Up in You.’ Released in 1989 on their album Rock & Roll Strategy, the song surprised many fans by being a soulful, adult-contemporary ballad rather than a hard-driving rock track. Yet, it became one of the band’s most successful and enduring songs.
The origins of ‘Second Chance’ go back to singer and keyboardist Max Carl, who had joined the band in the late 1980s. Carl co-wrote the song with Jeff Carlisi and Cal Curtis, infusing it with a softer, more melodic touch. Lyrically, it is about regret, forgiveness, and the desire to start over—universal themes that resonated with a broad audience. Unlike the rowdy Southern rock image .38 Special had cultivated, ‘Second Chance’ presented them in a more introspective, emotional light.
The gamble paid off. Released as a single, it quickly climbed the charts, reaching No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1989. Even more notably, it hit No. 1 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, giving the band their biggest success in that genre. The song’s lush production, heartfelt vocal delivery, and strong radio appeal made it a crossover hit that introduced .38 Special to new listeners beyond their core rock fan base.
Over time, ‘Second Chance’ has remained one of the band’s most beloved songs, often standing out as their signature ballad. For a group that built its reputation on Southern rock and arena-ready riffs, the track proved they could reinvent themselves and find success in a different musical lane. In many ways, the song’s title reflects the band’s own evolution—’Second Chance’ gave .38 Special a fresh chapter in their career.
