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".
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Darius Rucker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You really are a heel
You're as cuddly as a cactus
You're as charming as an eel, Mr. Grinch
You're a bad banana with a greasy black peel!
You're a monster, Mr. Grinch
Your heart's an empty hole
You've got garlic in your soul, Mr. Grinch
I wouldn't touch you with a thirty-nine-and-a-half foot pole!
You're a foul one, Mr. Grinch
You have termites in your smile
You have all the tender sweetness
Of a seasick crocodile, Mr. Grinch
Given the choice between the two of you
I'd take the seasick crocodile!
You're a foul one, Mr. Grinch
You're a nasty wasty skunk
Your heart is full of unwashed socks
Your soul is full of gunk, Mr. Grinch
The three words that best describe you are as follows, and I quote
"Stink, stank, stunk!"
You're a rotter, Mr. Grinch
You're the king of sinful sots
Your heart's a dead tomato splotched
With moldy purple spots, Mr. Grinch
Your soul is an appalling dump heap
Overflowing with the most disgraceful assortment of deplorable rubbish imaginable
Mangled up in tangled up knots!
You nauseate me, Mr. Grinch
With a nauseous super "naus"
You're a crooked dirty jockey
And you drive a crooked horse, Mr. Grinch
You're a three-decker sauerkraut
And toadstool sandwich with arsenic sauce!
In Darius Rucker's rendition of "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," the lyrics paint a vivid and scathing portrait of the infamous character known as Mr. Grinch. The song opens with a description of the Grinch as being mean and unpleasant, comparing him to a cactus and an eel, emphasizing his unlikable and prickly nature. The imagery of a "bad banana with a greasy black peel" further solidifies the image of someone with a dark and unappealing character.
As the lyrics progress, the portrayal of Mr. Grinch intensifies, with references to him being a monster with an empty heart and a mind filled with negativity. The mention of spiders in his brain and garlic in his soul adds a sense of repulsiveness to his character, making it clear that he is someone to be avoided at all costs. The line about not wanting to touch him with a thirty-nine-and-a-half foot pole highlights the extreme disgust and aversion felt towards him.
The song continues to depict Mr. Grinch as a foul and despicable figure, with comparisons to termites and a seasick crocodile, highlighting his lack of sweetness and charm. The choice between the Grinch and a seasick crocodile, with a clear preference for the latter, underscores just how repugnant and revolting he is perceived to be. The repeated emphasis on his foulness and nastiness sets the tone for the overall disdain towards him.
In the final verses, the lyrics delve deeper into Mr. Grinch's repulsive qualities, likening him to a grungy skunk with a heart and soul filled with filth and unpleasantness. The description of his heart as a "dead tomato splotched with moldy purple spots" and his soul as a dump heap serves to illustrate the depths of his depravity and depraved nature. The three-word characterization of him as "Stink, stank, stunk" encapsulates the overall sentiment of disgust and contempt towards him, painting a vivid picture of a truly detestable individual.
Line by Line Meaning
You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch
You are a cruel and unpleasant person, Mr. Grinch
You really are a heel
You truly are despicable
You're as cuddly as a cactus
You are as warm and affectionate as a prickly cactus
You're as charming as an eel, Mr. Grinch
You are as appealing as a slippery and slimy eel, Mr. Grinch
You're a bad banana with a greasy black peel!
You are a rotten banana with a dirty black peel!
Your heart's an empty hole
You have a heart that is void of emotions
Your brain is full of spiders
Your mind is filled with negative and unpleasant thoughts
You've got garlic in your soul, Mr. Grinch
You have a dark and unpleasant soul, Mr. Grinch
I wouldn't touch you with a thirty-nine-and-a-half foot pole!
I would not want to come near you even with a very long pole!
You have termites in your smile
You have decay and destruction in your smile
You have all the tender sweetness
You lack all the kindness and sweetness
Of a seasick crocodile, Mr. Grinch
Similar to the unpleasing nature of a crocodile feeling seasick, Mr. Grinch
Given the choice between the two of you
Between two unpleasant options
I'd take the seasick crocodile!
I would prefer the seasick crocodile over you!
You're a nasty wasty skunk
You are a disgusting and unpleasant person
Your heart is full of unwashed socks
Your heart is filled with filth and dirt, like unwashed socks
Your soul is full of gunk, Mr. Grinch
Your soul is filled with disgusting and unpleasant substances, Mr. Grinch
The three words that best describe you are as follows, and I quote
The three words that accurately define you are
"Stink, stank, stunk!"
"Reeking, smelly, rotten!"
You're the king of sinful sots
You are the ruler of immoral and degraded individuals
Your heart's a dead tomato splotched
Your heart is like a dead, rotten tomato with blotches
With moldy purple spots, Mr. Grinch
With decaying and dirty purple marks, Mr. Grinch
Your soul is an appalling dump heap
Your soul resembles a shocking and disgusting garbage dump
Overflowing with the most disgraceful assortment of deplorable rubbish imaginable
Filled with the most shameful and despicable collection of trash one can imagine
Mangled up in tangled up knots!
All twisted and entangled in a mess!
You nauseate me, Mr. Grinch
You make me feel sick and disgusted, Mr. Grinch
With a nauseous super "naus"
With an extremely sickening feeling
You're a crooked dirty jockey
You are a deceitful and untrustworthy person
And you drive a crooked horse, Mr. Grinch
And you lead a dishonest and unreliable life, Mr. Grinch
You're a three-decker sauerkraut
You are like a sandwich with layers of fermented cabbage
And toadstool sandwich with arsenic sauce!
And a sandwich with poisonous ingredients, like toadstools and arsenic!
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Roba Music Verlag GMBH, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: STEVEN JOHN ANDERSON, DP, ROBIN WOMPHREY, CLIFFORD DAVID MASTERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind