Darius Rucker was a like a gift to country music from the pop music world of the 1990’s. While plenty of pop and rock artists have tried to “go country,” few have been a successful as Darius. He is a proud member of the Grand Ole Opry and plays the Opry stage quite often.

On a personal note, for several years in my career I worked in the same office building of his management and we always knew when Rucker was in the building because of his infectious laugh. He is a fun and sweet guy and, in this industry, has made real friends out of his country contemporaries. Some of his best buddies in country music are Charles Kelley from Lady A, Jason Aldean, Brad Paisley and many more.

Darius’s music has struck a chord as well and today (5/13) on his 55th birthday, we celebrate 12 of Rucker’s “must hear” country songs.

• 12. “Alright” – (2009)

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  "Alright" was a song that Darius co-wrote with Frank Rogers and became his third number one country single. In the song, Rucker lists off the various pleasantries that he does not need, such as fancy food and wine. He then lists off what he does have and says that he is "alright" because of it.

• 11. “Southern Style” – (2015)

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  This song is one of my favorites. It was written by Rucker along with Tim James and Rivers Rutherford.

• 10. “Straight to Hell” (featuring Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, and Charles Kelley) – (2018)

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  This collaboration is solid and the video for the song shows the guys playing cowboy in the Old West. Rucker said that he chose to record the song because he had noticed the positive reaction it got when he first began his musical career and sang the song in bars.
• 9. “True Believers” – (2012)

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  The title track from the album of the same name. This song shows off Darius’ amazing vocals.

• 8. “It Won’t Be Like This for Long” – (2008)

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  His second country single release and a great song. It describes a couple who have just had a baby, and throughout it chronicles how their lives change by the child's presence. In the first verse, the child is crying at night, keeping both parents awake. The mother then tells the father that evenings will change when the child grows.

• 7. “For the First Time” – (2017)

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  This song was a huge success scoring Rucker yet another #1 Song in Billboard.
• 6. “Homegrown Honey” – (2014)

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  This song has such a feel-good kind of melody and it just flows so smooth. It’s hard not to love it. It was top five hit.

• 5. “Beers and Sunshine” – (2020)

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  A great summer jam. It was the pick me up we needed in such a tough year. Yes, it soared straight to the top of the Billboard chart.

• 4. “Only Wanna Be with You” – (1995)

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  Okay, this is not just Darius but Hootie and The Blowfish. I mention it because the song is iconic, and I can’t recall the last time I went into a store where I didn’t hear it on the store’s speaker system. Without fail, one of my kids will say “Hey mom, there’s Darius.” Also, Post Malone did a great cover of it recently.
• 3. “Come Back Song” – (2010)

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  Just a great song of a man asking his woman to “come back.” The song is written by Darius, Chris Stapleton and Casey Beathard.

• 2. “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It” – (2008)

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  His first radio single to country radio, this song is why country music grabbed a hold of Rucker and wouldn’t let go.

• 1. “Wagon Wheel” – (2013)

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  Maybe one of my favorite songs of all time and Darius’ biggest country hit to date. A song Rucker heard while attending one of his daughter’s dance recitals. The song has sold over four million copies to date.

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