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".
Wild One
Darius Rucker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you could pull me out of the dark.
Or if our love could fall apart like cookies crumble.
See, I'm a demon on the loose.
I'm like an engine with no caboose.
And I need somebody who can really handle me.
Yeah, baby, I'm a wild one.
Don't let me get away.
Yeah, baby, I'm a wild, wild one.
Yeah, baby, I'm a wild one.
Don't let me run.
Don't let me get away.
Yeah, baby, I'm a wild one.
I just wanna let you know, girl,
I'm attracted to your physical.
But, I got this lazy eye that likes to wander, oh.
See, I'm tired of being alone,
So if you throw this dog a bone,
Baby, you and I can make our house a home, yeah.
Yeah, baby, I'm a wild one.
Don't let me run.
Don't let me get away.
Yeah, baby, I'm a wild, wild one.
Yeah, baby, I'm a wild one.
Don't let me run. Don't let me get away.
Yeah, baby, I'm a wild one.
Oh, you could be the one who saves me,
Or try to be the one who tames me.
Girl, you are the one who's changing my way of life.
I'm tired of painting the town with ladies
Or living the life so hazy.
I'm tired of all my lies,
I think I want some real love
But, girl, you gotta realize.
Yeah that, baby, I'm a wild one.
Don't let me run.
Don't let me get away.
Yeah, baby I'm a wild, wild one.
Yeah, baby I'm a wild one.
Don't let me run.
Don't let me get away.
Yeah, baby I'm a, (hog wild, yeah) one
Oh,
Yeah, baby,
I'm a wild one,
I'm a wild one,
Don't let me get away,
Yeah, baby, I'm a wild, wild wild one,
(Yeah, baby, I'm a) Hog wild, don't let me run
Don't let me get away
Yeah baby, I'm a wild, wild one, oh wild wild wild one.
In Darius Rucker's song "Wild One," the singer is expressing his desire for a woman who can handle his free-spirited and restless nature. He is upfront about his issues, stating that he is a "demon on the loose" and an "engine with no caboose." However, he also recognizes that he wants to settle down and create a home with someone who loves him despite his flaws. He acknowledges that he is attracted to her physical appearance but asks her for something deeper, "some real love." The chorus showcases his wild side while asking her not to let him run or get away, suggesting that he needs her help to stay grounded.
The lyrics in this song not only portray the singer's desire for love but also demonstrate his vulnerability and honesty. He is willing to be upfront about his struggles and recognize his flaws in order to form a genuine relationship with someone. Through the lyrics and melody, the song conveys a sense of yearning for love and acceptance, making it relatable and emotional for many listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
I'd like to ask you from the start
I want to know from the beginning
If you could pull me out of the dark.
Can you save me?
Or if our love could fall apart like cookies crumble.
Will our love be fleeting or fall apart easily?
See, I'm a demon on the loose.
I'm an uncontrollable force
I'm like an engine with no caboose.
I'm powerful but directionless
And I need somebody who can really handle me.
I need someone who can handle my wild nature
Yeah, baby, I'm a wild one.
I'm a wild, unpredictable person
Don't let me run.
Don't let me escape or get away
I just wanna let you know, girl,
I want to be honest with you
I'm attracted to your physical.
I'm physically attracted to you
But, I got this lazy eye that likes to wander, oh.
But I have a tendency to look at other women
See, I'm tired of being alone,
I'm tired of being single
So if you throw this dog a bone,
If you give me a chance
Baby, you and I can make our house a home, yeah.
You and I can create a loving home together
Oh, you could be the one who saves me,
You could be my savior
Or try to be the one who tames me.
Or you could try to control me
Girl, you are the one who's changing my way of life.
You are changing my life for the better
I'm tired of painting the town with ladies
I'm tired of being a player
Or living the life so hazy.
I'm tired of living a blurry, unclear life
I'm tired of all my lies,
I'm tired of being dishonest
I think I want some real love
I want genuine love
But, girl, you gotta realize.
But you need to understand
(Yeah, baby, I'm a) Hog wild, don't let me run
I'm crazy, don't let me escape
Yeah baby, I'm a wild, wild one, oh wild wild wild one.
I'm wild and difficult to control
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANDRE HARRIS, RYAN TOBY, VIDAL DAVIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
BlaccFreeThought
This guy could do it all. Soul, rock and country. Darius is underated as an artist. This guy is the truth!
Alex Krauth
Jazz too. He nails Frank Sinatra songs!
mark Johnson
I wish he did more R&B because he has such a unique soulful voice and this video proves it. M
Alex Krauth
@EsotericEnigma Melanin SHE I can totally understand where he’s coming from, but he does this genre so well. I’m fascinated with how many kinds of music he can sing.
EsotericEnigma Melanin SHE
He said he don’t wanna be black for that long
Paul Kersey
This is still one of the greatest yet most underrated albums and even 20 years later, it's still timeless.
Jimmie R. Green
hmm
BoilerByBlood
For those who claim Darius doesn't belong in country music... the charts speak for themselves... #1 single and #1 album!!!
Ahenry1972
Neo-Soul, country,pop this boy does it all!
Alex Krauth
Jazz too. He kills Frank Sinatra songs!