There is very little that Darius Rucker has not done in the music industry. But until this year, there was one thing he had not done- a Christmas album. “I am so excited to finally make a Christmas album,” shares Darius. “This has been a lifelong dream and I hope my fans enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed making it.” Just last month, the former Hootie and the Blowfish lead man, completed the album, which is titled ‘Home for the Holidays,‘ and it will be available for download/purchase on October 27th, giving us all enough time to get in the holiday spirit with 12 classic holiday songs. Luckily, New England Country Music was given an extra week to get in the holiday spirit with ‘Home for the Holidays,’ as we were given an advanced listen of the album.
The new album is full of Christmas classics like ‘Let It Snow,’ ‘White Christmas,’ and ‘Winter Wonderland,’ among others. The South Carolina native also brought his longtime friend Sheryl Crow on board to help him with ‘Baby, It’s Cold Outside.’ While Darius did record a bunch of classics, one of our favorites was his rendition of ‘You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch.’ It is very dramatic and Darius’ vocals sound very raw in the song which it gives a live feel that you would see in a theatrical version of the story in your local theater.
On top of these well known holiday classics, Darius also added two original songs to the album, which he co-wrote with Frank Rogers and Monty Criswell. One of the songs, titled ‘Candy Cane Christmas,’ describes everything that one would commonly associate with Christmas. From cookies on a plate, to an angel on the top of the tree, and sleigh bells in kids’ heads as they sleep and dream. It’s a fun holiday song with a lot of soul and should be popular with fans. “Angels sittin’ high upon a tree, watchin’ over presents patiently. Milk and cookies on a plate. Santa Clause is on his way. The kids should be fast asleep…”
The second original song on ‘Home for the Holidays’ is a track titled ‘What God Wants for Christmas.’ The song isn’t overly religious which is a good thing but instead just discusses all the intangible things in the world that could make the world a better place. Stuff that God would want if he had a Christmas list. It’s a nice wholesome song that should be on everyone’s holiday playlists this winter. ‘Something that you can’t find in a store. Maybe peace on Earth. No more empty seats in church; might be what’s on his wish list…‘
Overall, it is a great holiday album from Darius that features some of the most popular and classic holiday tunes but also shows two original songs from him. While Darius does a great job with the classic holiday songs, our favorite songs on the record are the two original ones.
You can purchase Darius’ ‘Home for the Holidays‘ on iTunes here.
1.) ‘I’ll Be Home For Christmas’ – Written by Kim Gannon, Walter Kent, and Buck Ram.
2.) ‘White Christmas’ – Written by Irving Berlin.
3.) ‘Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow’ – Written by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne.
4.) ‘Winter Wonderland’ – Written by Felix Bernard and Richard B. Smith.
5.) ‘Please Come Home For Christmas’ – Written by Charles Brown and Gene Redd.
6.) ‘What God Wants for Christmas’ – Written by Darius Rucker, Frank Rogers, and Monty Criswell.
7.) ‘Baby, It’s Cold Outside’ (featuring Sheryl Crow) – Written by Frank Loesser.
8.) ‘O Come, All Ye Faithful’
9.) ‘You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch’ – Written by Theodor ‘Dr. Seuss’ Geisel and Albert Hague.
10.) ‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing’ – Written by Charles Wesley.
11.) ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’ – Written by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane.
12.) ‘Candy Cane Christmas’ – Written by Darius Rucker, Frank Rogers, and Monty Criswell.
Fun Fact: ‘I’ll Be Home for Christmas’ was originally recorded by Bing Crosby in 1943 and the song is written in the perspective of a World War II soldier, who wouldn’t make it home for the holidays. However, it is also stated that it could be in the perspective of anyone who is unable to be home for Christmas. The song has been recorded hundreds of times including by Frank Sinatra and several country musicians like Sara Evans, Rascal Flatts, and even Reba McEntire.