Homeless Persons' Memorial Day Top 100 Songs
Song #34
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38 Special
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formed in 1969 with guitarist Jeff Carlisi and bassist Ken Lyons, soon joined by drummer Steve Brookins. Carlisi left Sweet Rooster after graduating high school to study architecture at Georgia Tech and was replaced by Don Barnes in 1970. Brookins also left to work as a truck driver and Sweet Rooster was defunct by 1973.
Nevertheless, Van Zant, Barnes and Lyons, while continuing their day jobs and working in other bands, began working on composing original songs in their spare time. By 1974, they decided it was time to get serious and form "the ultimate band" that would be their "one last shot" at success. Briefly, Van Zant was considering a higher-paying position for the railroad at which he worked, but was finally convinced by brother Ronnie to stick with music since it was "in his blood."
The band's name was thought up after an incident which found the boys practicing in a warehouse out in the middle of nowhere. When police arrived after being notified by locals of the noise, the band members were unable to come out because of a padlock on the door. One of the cops said, "That's all right. We'll let this .38 special do the talking", and shot off the lock.
"Homeless Guitar" is on 38 Special's tenth studio album, Resolution, released in 1997. It was their first album since the 1991 album Bone Against Steel. Long-time collaborator Jim Peterik co-wrote the song, and also gets his first performing credit with the band as a backing vocalist.
I really like this song with it's powerful guitar work and vocals and despite the popularity of 38 Special I can't ever remember hearing this song until recently. It makes me wonder if a homeless stygma has stifled its popularity. My favorite part of the song comes in the second half of the second verse when the singer says
:
Nevertheless, Van Zant, Barnes and Lyons, while continuing their day jobs and working in other bands, began working on composing original songs in their spare time. By 1974, they decided it was time to get serious and form "the ultimate band" that would be their "one last shot" at success. Briefly, Van Zant was considering a higher-paying position for the railroad at which he worked, but was finally convinced by brother Ronnie to stick with music since it was "in his blood."
The band's name was thought up after an incident which found the boys practicing in a warehouse out in the middle of nowhere. When police arrived after being notified by locals of the noise, the band members were unable to come out because of a padlock on the door. One of the cops said, "That's all right. We'll let this .38 special do the talking", and shot off the lock.
"Homeless Guitar" is on 38 Special's tenth studio album, Resolution, released in 1997. It was their first album since the 1991 album Bone Against Steel. Long-time collaborator Jim Peterik co-wrote the song, and also gets his first performing credit with the band as a backing vocalist.
I really like this song with it's powerful guitar work and vocals and despite the popularity of 38 Special I can't ever remember hearing this song until recently. It makes me wonder if a homeless stygma has stifled its popularity. My favorite part of the song comes in the second half of the second verse when the singer says
:
I see you look me over, feel the weight of your stare
I'm sendin' you a message but you act like you don't care
I see a ripple, a crack in your facade
You know it really don't matter who you think you are
We're the same under God
I'm sendin' you a message but you act like you don't care
I see a ripple, a crack in your facade
You know it really don't matter who you think you are
We're the same under God
I wish there were more information that I could share about "Homeless Guitar" perhaps I might find the info in the future and add it then.
"Homeless Guitar"
Lyrics
Well, I know how it feels to be ripped from my roots
And tossed into a world unbending
Not long ago I was bitten by the truth
Some folks spend their whole life pretending
Now I start each mornin' with the sunlight by my side
Find another highway, hitch another ride
And I use this six-string like an archer wields his bow
I believe when the arrow finds its mark, it pierces the soul
Three songs for a quarter each time I open my case
Four chords and a voice of a good man fallen from grace
No pity for me, mister, I'm proud to be a drifter
A long shot from bein' a star
You know the times ain't been easy
For me and my Homeless Guitar
Now I know how it feels to be judged in a glance
Stripped of your pride and your passion
I only know that the rivers of the soul
Run deeper than birthright or fashion
I see you look me over, feel the weight of your stare
I'm sendin' you a message but you act like you don't care
I see a ripple, a crack in your facade
You know it really don't matter who you think you are
We're the same under God
Three songs for a quarter each time I open my case
Four chords and a voice of a good man fallen from grace
No pity for me, mister, I'm proud to be a drifter
A long shot from bein' a star
Oh, you know the times ain't been easy
For me and my Homeless Guitar
I thank the Lord above for the gift He's given me
I'm richer than most men, got a friend in my six-string
In a world where trust ain't got no guarantee
If you ain't got a penny, gonna sing you this song for free, yeah
No, no, no, no
Oh, I use these six-strings like an archer wields his bow
I believe when the arrow finds its mark, it pierces the soul
Three songs for a quarter each time I open my case
Four chords and a voice of a good man fallen from grace
No pity for me, mister, I'm proud to be a drifter
A long shot from bein' a star
You know the times ain't been easy
For me and my Homeless Guitar
You know the times ain't been easy
For me and my Homeless Guitar
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