Teacher, Teacher

The Zoo Crew, those groovy hippie DJs at THE ZOO radio station, are spinning the classic track "Teacher, Teacher" by .38 Special from their 1984 album Tour de Force, firing up their devoted Zoo Freaks. This song, a high-energy anthem with a Southern rock edge, was notably featured on the soundtrack of the 1984 comedy film Teachers, starring Nick Nolte and JoBeth Williams. According to a 2015 interview with lead vocalist Donnie Van Zant, published in Classic Rock Magazine, the band was approached by the film's producers to contribute a track that captured the rebellious spirit of education gone awry. Van Zant recalled, "They wanted something that rocked hard but spoke to the chaos of a classroom—man, we had a blast writing it!" The song’s driving riff and catchy chorus, penned by Jim Vallance and Bryan Adams, made it a standout, peaking at #25 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Delving into the song’s trivia, .38 Special guitarist Jeff Carlisi shared a tidbit on a 2018 Facebook post, noting that the iconic guitar intro was almost cut from the final mix due to time constraints. "We fought tooth and nail to keep that riff—it’s the heart of the song!" he wrote, sparking comments from fans who agreed it defined the track’s punch. On Instagram, the band once shared a throwback photo from the Tour de Force recording sessions, captioning it, "‘Teacher, Teacher’ was us channeling our inner schoolyard rebels—who else got sent to detention back in the day?" Zoo Freaks flooded the comments with stories of their own teenage antics, proving the song’s enduring connection to fans. Interestingly, a 1984 Rolling Stone review of the soundtrack mentioned that the band recorded an alternate version with a heavier bassline, but it was shelved in favor of the punchier single—sadly, that version remains unreleased.

.38 Special got their start in 1974 in Jacksonville, Florida, founded by brothers Donnie and Ronnie Van Zant, the latter also a founding member of Lynyrd Skynyrd. According to the band’s official bio on their website, they began as a gritty Southern rock outfit, jamming in garages and playing local bars. Donnie Van Zant’s raw vocals and the dual-guitar attack of Jeff Carlisi and Don Barnes shaped their sound, blending bluesy swagger with radio-friendly hooks. After Ronnie’s tragic death in a 1977 plane crash, Donnie carried on, and by the late 1970s, .38 Special signed with A&M Records. Their 1981 album Wild-Eyed Southern Boys, featuring the hit “Hold On Loosely,” catapulted them to mainstream success, setting the stage for Tour de Force and “Teacher, Teacher.” The band’s name, as noted in a 2010 X post, comes from a 1960s incident where they rehearsed in a warehouse and cops tried to bust them, joking about needing a .38 Special to get in—hence the moniker.

For Zoo Freaks wanting to dive deeper, .38 Special’s official website offers tour dates, merch, and a detailed history. Stay connected on their Facebook page, where they post tour updates and fan throwbacks, or follow their Instagram for behind-the-scenes shots and nostalgic content. On X, the band engages with fans, often sharing quick quips about their music and road life. Fans can also join the .38 Special Fan Group on Facebook, a lively community of over 5,000 members swapping concert stories and rare vinyl finds. Another gem is 38 Special Fan Club, a fan-run site with a discography, vintage photos, and a forum for diehards. Whether you’re a Zoo Freak or a longtime devotee, .38 Special’s legacy and “Teacher, Teacher” keep the Southern rock spirit alive.