Wild- Eyed Southern Boys by 38 Special

jbfantx · July 1st, 2009, 01:08 PM

Does anyone know what chords are being played during the chorus?
I've got the verse chords and bridge, but I am having trouble hearing what is played behind the chorus. I've even studied the You Tube live shots but cannot see the chord positions.
Thanks for any help

Wally · July 6th, 2009, 05:21 PM

jb, I hear that chorus in Bb for the first two 'wild eyed southern boys'. Then I hear the bass working from the F to a G to an Ab on the last 'wild eyed southern boys'. SEcond time around, this works right into the break that start in A.

jbfantx · July 6th, 2009, 06:54 PM

Thanks, Wally. I appreciate you taking the time.

Wally · July 6th, 2009, 07:11 PM

Well, jb, you are welcome. I had never sat down with this one. INteresting changes going on in there. The little thing that fits in between the G at the end of the verses and the chorus is interesting, isn't it? I hear C-F-Bb.
The break in A is a 'gear shift'.....and then they shift again to a C to Bb thing.
those wild southern boys rock that one out. Unconventional....it ain't the simplest rock I have ever heard, for sure, as far as the changes are concerned. Lots of interplay.

Charlesinator · July 6th, 2009, 07:34 PM

Just a little trivia on this particular tune besides Don Barnes and Donnie Van Zant (maybe) ... this song was co-written by Jim Peterik of Ides of March-"Vehicle" and Survivor-"Eye Of The Tiger" fame. Jim also is the co auther of Songwriting for Dummies and as evidenced by his resume does indeed know something about songwriting.

Supposedly the record company suggested an outside writer to help "break" 38 Special. Evidently they were right. Similar successes with Aerosmith, Cheap Trick, etc. followed. For "Wild Eyed Southern Boys" the band sat down and explained to Peterik essentially what they were and that's where the song came from. I firmly remember where I was when the record came out. In the midst of all this New Wave and Punk I was being force fed from the college radio station, I grabbed the record and listened to it on the stereo at the library ... cranked. It was so nice to here those wonderful guitars again by folks who could actually play and sing. The only downside was that from then on Donnie Van Zant was essentially regulated to running around the stage and singing background ... which was a shame IMO. But ... If I could make a 20 some year career doing that then by golly I would too.

Wally · July 6th, 2009, 07:37 PM

Thanks for that tidbit, CHarles. 'Vehicle'....I have to say I can feel the same energy in that one as in this .38 Special song.

July 1st, 2009, 01:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
jbfantx TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Austin,Texas Posts: 20	Wild- Eyed Southern Boys by 38 Special Does anyone know what chords are being played during the chorus? I've got the verse chords and bridge, but I am having trouble hearing what is played behind the chorus. I've even studied the You Tube live shots but cannot see the chord positions. Thanks for any help

July 6th, 2009, 07:34 PM	#5 (permalink)
Charlesinator Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Mooresville, NC Age: 49 Posts: 169	Just a little trivia on this particular tune besides Don Barnes and Donnie Van Zant (maybe) ... this song was co-written by Jim Peterik of Ides of March-"Vehicle" and Survivor-"Eye Of The Tiger" fame. Jim also is the co auther of Songwriting for Dummies and as evidenced by his resume does indeed know something about songwriting. Supposedly the record company suggested an outside writer to help "break" 38 Special. Evidently they were right. Similar successes with Aerosmith, Cheap Trick, etc. followed. For "Wild Eyed Southern Boys" the band sat down and explained to Peterik essentially what they were and that's where the song came from. I firmly remember where I was when the record came out. In the midst of all this New Wave and Punk I was being force fed from the college radio station, I grabbed the record and listened to it on the stereo at the library ... cranked. It was so nice to here those wonderful guitars again by folks who could actually play and sing. The only downside was that from then on Donnie Van Zant was essentially regulated to running around the stage and singing background ... which was a shame IMO. But ... If I could make a 20 some year career doing that then by golly I would too. Last edited by Charlesinator; July 6th, 2009 at 08:58 PM.

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July 6th, 2009, 05:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
Wally Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Lubbock, TX Posts: 5,956	jb, I hear that chorus in Bb for the first two 'wild eyed southern boys'. Then I hear the bass working from the F to a G to an Ab on the last 'wild eyed southern boys'. SEcond time around, this works right into the break that start in A.

July 6th, 2009, 06:54 PM	#3 (permalink)
jbfantx TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Austin,Texas Posts: 20	Thanks, Wally. I appreciate you taking the time.

July 6th, 2009, 07:11 PM	#4 (permalink)
Wally Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Lubbock, TX Posts: 5,956	Well, jb, you are welcome. I had never sat down with this one. INteresting changes going on in there. The little thing that fits in between the G at the end of the verses and the chorus is interesting, isn't it? I hear C-F-Bb. The break in A is a 'gear shift'.....and then they shift again to a C to Bb thing. those wild southern boys rock that one out. Unconventional....it ain't the simplest rock I have ever heard, for sure, as far as the changes are concerned. Lots of interplay.

July 6th, 2009, 07:37 PM	#6 (permalink)
Wally Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Lubbock, TX Posts: 5,956	Thanks for that tidbit, CHarles. 'Vehicle'....I have to say I can feel the same energy in that one as in this .38 Special song.

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