.38 Special @ the Topsfield Fair
September 30th, 2007 - by Eddie
The fall season is upon us, which means it’s that time of year for sweatshirts, hot apple cider, and going to the local fair where forgotten bands make their mark once more.
At a recent visit to the Topsfield Fair, my girl and I were graced with the majestic presence of .38 Special while we perused the barn with the awarding-winning vegetables and the display case with the giant pumpkin (it’s over 1,689 pounds!). As I peered at the obscenely obese pumpkin, I heard .38 Special go into “Second Chance,” which made us feel like we were in an 80’s movie (BTW: that last link brings you to the video and it’s totally worth your time, provided you enjoy six guys playing a weepy ballad and making strange poses into the camera).
And suddenly, at that moment, I understood why these bands play these fairs. It’s the only kind of music that makes sense in an atmosphere of carnies, rickety rides, and the smell of fried food penetrating the air. Or maybe having fried dough makes me nostalgic for song lyrics like “I never loved her/ I never needed her/ She was willing and that’s all there is to say/ Don’t forsake me/ Please don’t leave me noooooww”.
That’s southern poetry right there.
They also played “Hold on Loosely” and “Caught Up in You.” Apparently, they played something from their 2004 release “Drivetrain.” I don’t know which song, but I’m sure it sounded like a mixture of “Hold” and “Caught” (all .38 special songs sound the same, which is part of their charm.)
Either way, thank you .38 Special. If you didn’t get paid, I hope you at least got a couple free rides on the Zipper. Just remember to hold on…loosely.
