Along with his work in Hootie & the Blowfish, Rucker recorded one studio album, entitled Back to Then, on Hidden Beach Recordings in 2002. In 2008, he signed to Capitol Nashville and charted his first solo single, "Don't Think I Don't Think About It", the first single from his first country album Learn to Live. Rucker has been a member of Hootie & the Blowfish since their original formation in 1989. He met fellow band members, Mark Bryan, Jim "Soni" Sonefeld, and Dean Felber, while attending the University of South Carolina.
In 2001, he made his solo R&B debut album The Return of Mongo Slade for Atlantic Records. Because of contractual changes, it was never released by the label. Hidden Beach Recordings, an independent label, acquired the masters from Atlantic, releasing the album as Back to Then in July 2002. Rucker also portrayed a singing cowboy in a television commercial for the fast food chain Burger King, promoting their TenderCrisp Bacon Cheddar Ranch sandwich in 2005; in the commercial, he sang a parody of "Big Rock Candy Mountain".
In early 2008, Rucker signed to Capitol Records Nashville as the beginning of a career in country music. His first country single, "Don't Think I Don't Think About It" (which he co-wrote with Clay Mills) debuted at #51 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs charts for the week of May 3, 2008, and it served as the lead-off single to an upcoming album for Capitol, Learn to Live.
For this album, Rucker worked with Frank Rogers, a record producer who has also produced for Brad Paisley and Trace Adkins. Rucker also made his Grand Ole Opry debut in July 2008. The single reached number one in September,[24] making Rucker the first solo, African-American artist to chart a number one country hit since Pride's "Night Games" in 1983.
Rucker sings to a crowd during an Operation Pacific Greetings tour concert. Learn to Live was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on February 6, 2009 and received a platinum certification on August 7, 2009. The album's second single, "It Won't Be Like This for Long", spent three weeks at the top of the country chart in mid-2009. Its follow-up, "Alright", became Rucker's third straight number one hit, making him the first singer to have his first three country singles reach number one since Wynonna in 1992. The album's fourth single, "History in the Making" was released in September and peaked at number three. The singles also crossed over to the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at 35, 36, 30, and 61.
Rucker's entry into the country world was met with some intrigue, largely because of his history as a rock musician and because he is African-American. Billboard magazine said that "there's a sense of purpose that makes Rucker feel like a member of the country family, rather than calculating interloper." Rucker made visits to various country stations around the US, explaining that he was aware that he was the "new kid on the block." Mike Culotta, the program director of the Tampa, Florida radio station WQYK-FM expected that Rucker would be "somebody who would have entitlement," but instead said that "Darius engaged everybody." When Rucker found that "Don't Think I Don't Think About It" went to number one, he cried. On November 11, 2009, Rucker won the Country Music Association New Artist of the Year award (formerly known as the Horizon Award), making him the first African American to do so since the award was introduced in 1981. Only one other African American has won at the CMAs: Charley Pride, who won entertainer of the year in 1971 and male vocalist in 1971 and 1972.
Rucker released his second country album, titled Charleston, SC 1966, on October 12, 2010. The title is inspired by Radney Foster's solo debut album, Del Rio, TX 1959. Its first single was "Come Back Song," which Rucker wrote with Chris Stapleton and Casey Beathard. It was his fourth country number one as well as a number 37 hit on the Hot 100. The album's second single was "This", which was released to radio in November 2010 and also reached number one in the country chart. Rucker wrote it with Rogers and Kara DioGuardi. "I Got Nothin'" was the album's third single, peaking at number 18. Also included on the album is a duet with Brad Paisley titled "I Don't Care". Charleston, SC 1966 received a gold certification.
On December 14, 2011, CBSnews.com reported that Rucker was working on a third country album with recording set to begin January 2012 followed by the release of the album early in the year. The album's lead-off single, "True Believers", made its chart debut in September. On October 12, 2012, Rucker told Broadway's Electric Barnyard that his album would also be titled True Believers. "True Believers" peaked at number 18. Its second single is a cover of Bob Dylan's "Wagon Wheel" (previously made famous by Old Crow Medicine Show), featuring backing vocals from Lady Antebellum. "Wagon Wheel" reached number one on the Country Airplay chart in May 2013. True Believers was released on May 21, 2013. The album's third single, "Radio", was released to country radio on July 22, 2013. The album's fourth single, "Miss You", was released to country radio on February 3, 2014.
On October 2, 2012, Darius Rucker was invited to join the Grand Ole Opry. Halfway through his set at the Opry that night he answered questions from the audience which included a question from Brad Paisley. Paisley said: "I have two questions. One, are you still the worst poker player in the world? And two, would you like to become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry?" Rucker accepted, and it became official on October 16.
Rucker was a featured performer at the C2C: Country to Country festival in London on March 17, 2013. On News Years Day, January 1, 2013 he sang the National Anthem at the Outback Bowl in Tampa Florida. On May 11, 2013, Rucker was the speaker at the commencement ceremony for the University of South Carolina in Columbia. Before his speech, he received an honorary Doctorate of Music degree. Rucker also sang the national anthem at the NBA finals on June 16, 2013.
On December 6, 2013, it was announced that Rucker's version of Wagon Wheel had earned him a nomination for Best Country Solo Performance for the 56th Annual Grammy Awards. At the awards ceremony on January 26, 2014, Rucker won, becoming only the third African American recording act (the first being Charley Pride, the second being The Pointer Sisters) to win a vocal performance Grammy Award in a country music category.
On August 25, 2014, Rucker released a brand new single titled "Homegrown Honey" to country radio and to digital retailers. It serves as the lead single to his fourth country studio album, Southern Style, to be released on March 31, 2015. On September 15, 2014, it was announced that Rucker had completed his first Christmas album and that it would be released on October 27, 2014. Included is a collaboration with Sheryl Crow on "Baby, It's Cold Outside".
Exodus
Darius Rucker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Once I thought things were fine, it would rain
This is how it is each and everyday I live
Things I thought would be my joy, turn to pain
So when it pours and you're in deep water
And you can't tell the difference from the rain and your tears
I will be the one whos there, who'll always be there
Exodus is yours, love
Let the midnight sun disappear
Heaver would be yours, love
Let me be the one to take you there
So don't worry or sweat the small things
Everything in your lives bound to change
All the things you're going through
I will bare the weight with you
There's no shame, know what I'm saying
There's a way to pull through
Oh and when it pours girl and you're in deep water
And you can tell the difference from the rain and your tears
I will be the one whos there, who'll always be there
To drink the river flowing from your eyes
Exodus is yours, love
Let the midnight sun disappear
And Heaven could be yours, love
Let me be the one to take you there
Oh
I'll help you carry it all
(I'll help you carry all)
You don't have to worry at all
(No you don't have to worry)
And if you stumble and fall
(If you sumble and fall)
I'll be there for you
(I'll help you, aw)
I"ll help you carry it all
(You don't have to, aw)
You don't have to worry at all
Girl and if you fall, I'll be there
Through it all, through it all
Exodus is yours, love
Let the midnight sun disappear
And Heaven could be yours, love
Please let me be the one to take you there, there
Exodus is yours, love
Let the midnight sun disappear
And Heaven could be yours, love
Let me be the one to take you there
The song "Exodus" is a heartfelt ballad by Darius Rucker about being a rock for someone who is going through tough times. The lyrics speak of a person who has experienced heartbreak and disappointment many times in their life. The singer tells this person that they will be there for them through it all, to help them carry their burdens, and to comfort them when they are feeling overwhelmed. The line, "when it pours and you're in deep water and you can't tell the difference from the rain and your tears" is particularly poignant, as it alludes to the feeling of being lost in the midst of an emotional storm.
The chorus of the song speaks of the "exodus" and "heaven" being for the person the singer is addressing. The use of these words seems to imply that the person has been through a lot and deserves a new beginning, a fresh start, and a happy life. The singer hopes to be the one who is there to guide and support them through this journey.
Overall, the song "Exodus" is a tender and uplifting song that speaks to the importance of being there for friends and loved ones during difficult times. It provides a sense of reassurance and hope that better days are just around the corner.
Line by Line Meaning
She said so, so many times in my life
Throughout my life, she has expressed her love for me many times.
Once I thought things were fine, it would rain
There were times when I thought everything was perfect, but suddenly things would change for the worse.
This is how it is each and everyday I live
Every day, I experience joys that later turn into pains.
Things I thought would be my joy, turn to pain
Things that I once thought would bring me happiness end up causing me much sadness.
So when it pours and you're in deep water
When life gets overwhelmingly difficult and you feel like you're drowning.
And you can't tell the difference from the rain and your tears
When the suffering is so great that you can't distinguish between the physical rain and the emotional tears.
I will be the one whos there, who'll always be there
I will always be there for you, no matter what.
To drink the river flowing from your eyes
To console you by wiping away the tears streaming down your face.
Exodus is yours, love
Your journey, your path, your life is your own.
Let the midnight sun disappear
Let go of the past, the darkness, and the pain.
Heaver would be yours, love
You can have a brighter, better future.
Let me be the one to take you there
Let me help you get to where you want to be.
So don't worry or sweat the small things
Don't fret over small or insignificant things in life.
Everything in your lives bound to change
Life is dynamic and constantly evolving.
All the things you're going through
The hardships and struggles that you currently face.
I will bare the weight with you
I'll help you carry the weight of your problems and challenges.
There's no shame, know what I'm saying
There's no need to feel embarrassed or guilty about needing help.
There's a way to pull through
You can overcome these difficulties, and things will get better eventually.
Oh and when it pours girl and you're in deep water
Again, during difficult times of intense suffering.
And you can tell the difference from the rain and your tears
You are aware of the physical rain and the emotional tears and feel overwhelmed by both.
Through it all, through it all
Despite all of the hardships, through everything that you go through.
I'll help you carry it all
I will be there for you to help you carry your burdens.
You don't have to worry at all
Don't worry, I will take care of everything.
Girl and if you fall, I'll be there
If you stumble or fall, I'll be right there by your side.
Exodus is yours, love
Your life's journey belongs only to you, and you have the power to make it whatever you want it to be.
Please let me be the one to take you there, there
Please allow me to be the one to help guide and support you along the way.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: CARVIN HAGGINS, DARREN HENSON, DARREN T HENSON, KEITH PELZER, KEITH ISAIHA PELZER, DARIUS RUCKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@solitairedoll
Musiq Soulchild on the background vocals! Amazing song. Entire album is amazing.
@alika207
Love both artists!
@bluaway30
This song should have been played on the R&B stations across the country. Oh, I forgot, R&B is near death.
@ATLien1805
David Montgomery Darius rucker made me appreciate country music... I used to mainly jam hip hop and r&b but now im proud to say that i appreciate the other version of blues too, which is county.
@62chucky
+David Montgomery YES!!! I do agree. But no...we didnt buy this one, lol..( Idid!) It was R&B good! This CD didnt sell. THEN he does a Country music CD...MILLION SELLER!! Go figure....
@jnt-eirshalom7449
@@ATLien1805 Darius Made Me Fall Back In Love With Country Music!
@allanya74
NYC, DC, and LA played this song on their radio stations. This whole album was really underrated. The cable channel BET J used to play this video as well.
@sogainesjr
If and when Darius releases a solo greatest-hits album, I hope that he includes some of his R&B jams, like this one. So versatile...
@RobertJamesStockton
some artist are in music for the money darius rucker would still be singing & playing guitar in a bar in carolina if he didn't make it, everything he puts out he puts all of what he has into it that why his music is so incredible, just listen & sing along. GOD bless him.
@allanya74
This song and album are underrated. People slept on Darius.💜🙏🏾❤️