After his career skyrocketed in the 1990s as the lead singer of the popular pop/rock band Hootie & The Blowfish, Darius Rucker finally embarked on a solo career with the release of his first country album, Learn to Live, in 2008. Apparently, country fans welcomed Darius Rucker songs with open arms.
Those who had doubts about his crossover from one genre to the next were silenced pretty quickly as he began hitting the top of the charts and turned out to be one of the most bankable artists in the genre – with a whole legion of fans.
Today, Rucker is one of country music’s torchbearers, logging a reliable string of gold and platinum albums and singles. He is breaking down barriers for country fans everywhere, being one of even fewer African Americans to achieve notoriety in the genre. In 2012, Rucker was also inducted into the Grand Ole Opry.
Indeed, Rucker is making music history in his own way. So, let’s look back at ten of the greatest Darius Rucker songs released by far. Keep on scrolling below to find out.
1. Wagon Wheel
From: True Believers (2013)
Darius Rucker‘s rendition of Old Crow Medicine Show’s “Wagon Wheel” gained the attention of the masses. In addition to its blazing banjo and fiddle, Lady A also lent their voices as they provided background vocals. Indeed, Rucker took the song to a new level.
It’s no surprise the song won Grammy Award for Best Solo Country Performance – making him the second solo African American after Charlie Pride to win such a country music category.
2. It Won’t Be Like This for Long
From: Learn to Live (2008)
Rucker met with Chris DuBois and Ashley Gorley to write this touching song, which remains one of the best in his sizeable arsenal. “It Won’t Be Like This For Long,” tells the story of a couple who just had a baby and how their lives changed by the child’s arrival. The song would definitely pull every parent’s heartstrings.
3. Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It
From: Learn to Live (2008)
Rucker showcased his powerful, expressive voice as he sang “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It,” which tells the story of a man left by his former lover. Of course, it never failed to capture country fans’ attention that the song became Rucker’s first big country radio hit, ranking No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.
4. Alright
From: Learn to Live (2008)
Here’s another hit by Rucker, “Alright,” which climbed all the way to the top of Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart and went double platinum – thanks to Rucker’s joyous vibe as he asserts to celebrate the little things that make life great, from a roof over his head, shoes under his feet, cheap bottle of wine, the best of Pasty Cline, to the woman he loves laying beside him.
5. Come Back Song
From: Charleston, SC 1966 (2010)
Following the great success of his debut album, Rucker released his next project, Charleston, SC 1966, named after his hometown. He kicked things off with the catchy tune “Come Back Song,” which finds Rucker pleading with an old lover to take him back.
Rucker co-wrote the song with Chris Stapleton and Casey Beathard.
6. This
From: Charleston, SC 1966 (2010)
“This” is an optimistic and upbeat tune that sings about all the heartbreak one must endure, and all the wrong turns one must take before finding where they are meant to be. While he went through a couple of breakups and lost several opportunities, the song eventually finds Rucker enjoying the bliss of a little family of his own.
7. Homegrown Honey
From: Southern Style (2014)
Rucker definitely has a knack for writing country party songs, and “Homegrown Honey” is no exception. The song tells the story of a Carolina girl turning heads in New York City, where she now lives. Rucker wrote the tune with Lady A’s Charles Kelly alongside record producer Nathan Chapman.
It received a favorable response that it reached No. 6 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.
8. History in the Making
From: Learn to Live (2008)
Rucker explained that “History in the Making” is a “song about those first moments in a relationship,” which are always great. It’s something that resonates with Rucker, especially since he told his wife he would someday going to marry her during their very first date.
9. If I Told You
From: When Was the Last Time (2016)
While Rucker’s popularity as a country artist came after his feel-good hits, he got serious with the release of this heartfelt ballad that finds him getting honest as he asks a woman to love him despite his shortcomings and faults.
“If I Told You” reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart, making it his first since “Wagon Wheel” in 2013.
10. For the First Time
From: When Was the Last Time (2017)
In 2017, Rucker brought back his signature feel-good groove in this upbeat, driving tune, which sings about stepping out of your comfort zone and living life to the fullest. It’s a track that would definitely make you think about the things you’d want to accomplish.
There you go – the greatest Darius Rucker songs released by far! How about you? What are your favorite hits of Rucker?
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