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".
True Believers
Darius Rucker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Climbed in that limo and rode away
Guess you'll always hear some people say
They're never gonna make it
We settled in and we settled down
In this quiet little seaside town
You were the rock I built my world around
We are one heartbeat in the darkness
We are one lasting answered prayer
We are one unbroken promise
We are two, true believers
It wasn't easy getting here today
Sometimes you stumbled or I lost my way
But every roadblock was a chance to say
Take my hand I'm here beside you
We worked and made it through the toughest parts
Now every days another chance to start,
To look around and see that where we are
Is where we were trying to get to
We are one heartbeat in the darkness
We are one lasting answered prayer
We are one unbroken promise
We are two, true believers
We are one before our God in Heaven
We are one road when the going gets rough
We are one now and forever
We are one name, one life, one flame
We are one heartbeat in the darkness
We are one lasting answered prayer
We are one unbroken promise
And we are two, true believers
We are two, true believers
Darius Rucker's song "True Believers" is a heartfelt ode to the struggles and triumphs of a committed and loving relationship. The song starts with the wedding day of the couple, and how some people thought that they would never make it. However, they settled down in a quiet little seaside town and built their world around each other. The song emphasizes how they have remained true to each other despite the difficult times, with lines such as "every roadblock was a chance to say, take my hand I'm here beside you." The couple has been through the toughest parts of life together, worked through them, and now every day is another chance to start anew. The song emphasizes how this couple is truly meant to be together as they are one unbroken promise and two true believers.
The lyrics convey a deep sense of commitment to each other, and it speaks to how any relationship can be successful with perseverance and true belief. The song's message is all about having faith in your partner and being willing to weather the storms of life together. Through all the hard times, the couple remains one heartbeat in the darkness, one lasting answered prayer, and one unbroken promise. They are two true believers who will stay together. This song celebrates the beauty of commitment, true love, and partnership.
Line by Line Meaning
Church bells ringing on our wedding day
The song starts with the couple's wedding day, where they were surrounded by happiness and ringing church bells.
Climbed in that limo and rode away
After the wedding ceremony, they rode away in a limousine to start their new life together.
Guess you'll always hear some people say
Despite the joyous occasion, some people believed that their love would not last.
They're never gonna make it
These people pessimistically thought that their love story is destined to fail.
We settled in and we settled down
The couple found a peaceful place to call home and decided to start a life together.
In this quiet little seaside town
They found a serene coastal area where they can live without disturbance or stress.
You were the rock I built my world around
The singer tells how his partner has been his support and stability, upon which he built his life.
And life won't ever break it
No matter what challenges or problems come their way, their love and bond won't weaken or break.
We are one heartbeat in the darkness
The singer conveys the unity and oneness he shares with his partner, as they face dark times together.
We are one lasting answered prayer
Their love is like an answered prayer which has been granted to them and will last forever.
We are one unbroken promise
Their love is a solid promise never to be broken, shattering any existing doubts.
We are two, true believers
They are two people who genuinely and wholeheartedly believe in their love, despite any challenges that may come their way.
It wasn't easy getting here today
The journey that brought them together was not straightforward, and they had to overcome many obstacles to reach where they are now.
Sometimes you stumbled, or I lost my way
They both had their moments of making mistakes and being lost, but they supported each other to overcome them.
But every roadblock was a chance to say
They learned from every obstacle and emerged stronger, and it gave them an opportunity to reinforce their love and connection.
Take my hand I'm here beside you
Regardless of whatever is happening, the singer reassures his partner that he's always there and ready to face everything together.
We worked and made it through the toughest parts
Through hard work and commitment, they overcame the hardest times in their relationship, growing stronger and closer with each event.
Now every day's another chance to start,
They view every new day as a fresh start to build, cherish, and enjoy their love story.
To look around and see that where we are
Looking back to the journey they had, they realize that where they are now is what they had hoped and strived for since the first day.
Is where we were trying to get to
What they had hoped and planned for is finally their reality.
We are one before our God in Heaven
They view their love as sacred and blessed by their God, who they believe brought them together.
We are one road when the going gets rough
Amidst difficult times, they stay together and support each other because their road is one, and they are in it together.
We are one now and forever
They believe that their love will last forever, and they take pride in being one together.
We are one name, one life, one flame
Everything about them is shared as one, and they have one flame of love and passion that burns bright.
And we are two, true believers
They are believers in their love, relationship, and commitment, and that's all that matters to them.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Josh Kear, Darius Rucker
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Aaron O'Brien
[Verse 1]
Church bells ringing on our wedding day
Climbed in that limo and rode away
Guess you'll always hear some people say
Man, they're never going to make it
We settled in and we settled down
In this quiet little seaside town
You are the rock I built my world around
And life will never break it
[Chorus]
We are one heartbeat in the darkness
We are one lasting answered prayer
We are one unbroken promise
And we are two, true believers
[Verse 2]
It wasn't easy getting here today
Sometimes you stumbled or I lost my way
But every roadblock was a chance to say
Take my hand I'm here beside you
We worked and made it through the toughest parts
Now every day is another chance to start
To look around and see where we are
It's where we were trying to get to
[Chorus]
[Verse 3]
We are one before our God in Heaven
Oh, we are one road when the going gets rough
We are one now and forever
We are one name, one life, one flame
We are one heart beat in the darkness
we are one.. (not done yet srry)
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So glad he "crossed over" to country music! Beautiful voice, songs, everything.
Jay Fox, Jr.
That’s awesome
Kelly Moore
This is my first time listening to this song and I’ve been binging on Rucker songs for a couple weeks now. This makes me think of my husband...we are one... now and forever... one name, one life, one heartbeat in the darkness, one flesh, one unbroken promise and and one answered prayer. After sixteen years of marriage and four kids later, were still best friends and will take any chance we can to go hide from the kids lol. All of Darius’s songs are so good... And I think it’s because they say what we’re all thinking inside but too afraid to say out loud.
Eric Pitre
Take my hand I’m here beside you’. Thats Exactly how its supposed to be
Aaron O'Brien
[Verse 1]
Church bells ringing on our wedding day
Climbed in that limo and rode away
Guess you'll always hear some people say
Man, they're never going to make it
We settled in and we settled down
In this quiet little seaside town
You are the rock I built my world around
And life will never break it
[Chorus]
We are one heartbeat in the darkness
We are one lasting answered prayer
We are one unbroken promise
And we are two, true believers
[Verse 2]
It wasn't easy getting here today
Sometimes you stumbled or I lost my way
But every roadblock was a chance to say
Take my hand I'm here beside you
We worked and made it through the toughest parts
Now every day is another chance to start
To look around and see where we are
It's where we were trying to get to
[Chorus]
[Verse 3]
We are one before our God in Heaven
Oh, we are one road when the going gets rough
We are one now and forever
We are one name, one life, one flame
We are one heart beat in the darkness
we are one.. (not done yet srry)
Winter Knights
Absolutely love this song. Darius is just wonderful!
Darius Rucker
Thanks for your lovely comments and encouragement towards my work . I promise to bring you all the best at all time. Feel free to drop a message
oak0032
He rocked it as Hootie and now he is kickin some wicked country jams! Love it!
DMatosich
Darius Rucker has produced timeless music since beginning with Hootie and the Blowfish. Shame on the musical world for not recognizing greatness when they heard it!
Shannon Trent
I've followed him since the 90s and I didn't start listening to country until the 2000s. The first time I heard him on a country station, his voice stopped me in my tracks. I knew who it was right away! Such a great, distinct voice. Love it! The only artist I've made an effort to see in concert more than once.