The song is the latest from their upcoming album
38 Special shares “Slightly Controversial” featuring Train frontman Pat Monahan. The classic southern rock band behind worldwide hits such as “Hold On Loosely” and “Caught Up In You” recently announced Milestone, their first album of new music in over 20 years, arriving September 19th in celebration of the band’s 50th anniversary. In addition to Monahan, the album features guest appearances and co-writes from Randy Bachman and longtime collaborator Jim Peterik (Survivor, Sammy Hagar, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Cheap Trick).
“This song is wrapped around a mystery woman who’s been through a few things in her life,” says frontman and co-founder Don Barnes. “She wants to keep people guessing and talking about her every move and they just can’t seem to figure her out. Her choice to be an enigma is for her own emotional protection. I’ve known someone like this and felt compelled to explore the story. The song is a powerful guitar banger with Pat Monahan and me singing together. Pat absolutely crushed it! We all had a great time putting that track together.”
“A while back I sang on Joe Bonamassa’s version of ‘Hold On Loosely,’ one of the all-time great songs from 38 Special,” exclaims Monahan. “Don heard it and contacted me about ‘Slightly Controversial.’ What a great honor to sing on a track from one of my favorite bands and songwriters. I hope I did it justice.”
The Rock and Roll Channel on TalkShopLive will feature a dedicated one-hour 38 Special show with Don Barnes. The development of the new album and a track-by-track breakdown will be discussed in detail. The show is live on Wednesday, September 3rd at 7 pm ET and available to view on demand after the livestream. TalkShopLive is offering 38 Special fans the exclusive autographed colored vinyl and CD.
38 Special’s ever-relentless touring schedule continues throughout 2025 with dates across the US, including shows with Kansas, The Outlaws, and Jefferson Starship.
Formed in 1974, the band toured tirelessly from the start, sharpening the explosive live show that’s been 38 Special’s calling card for a half-century. Along the way, the Florida natives fine-tuned their sound too: a blend of muscle and melody, filled with the arena-rock pop hooks that would soon become staples of FM radio. As 38 Special enters its sixth decade together, the music continues with Milestone. Fueled up on snarling guitars, anthemic melodies, and the desire to break new ground, they update their sound for the 2020s, bridging the gap between past and present without forgetting their rock & roll roots.
