Hoo-tay! That’s right, Hootie & The Blowfish! Well, Darius Rucker anyway. Is it possible to love a song and performance more, twenty years after its original release? Yes!
Here is Darius Rucker performing Let Her Cry for media at Charleston Distilling Co. in March 2015.
Lyrics and credits, below. Enjoy!
She sits alone by a lamp post
Tryin’ to find the thought that’s escaped her mind
She says, “Dad’s the one I love the most
Michael Stipe’s not far behind.”She never lets me in, only tells me where she’s been
When she’s had too much to drink
I say that I don’t care, I just run my hands through her dark hair
And I pray to God, help me fly awayHe said let her cry if the tears fall down like rain
Let her sing if it eases all her pain
Let her go, let her walk right out on me
And if the sun comes up tomorrow, let her be, let her beThis morning I woke up alone, found a note standing by the phone
Sayin’, “Maybe, maybe, maybe I’ll be back someday.”
Like a fool I wanted to look for you
You walked in, I didn’t know just what I should do
So I sat back down and had a beer and felt sorry for myselfSayin’ let her cry if the tears fall down like rain
Let her sing if it eases all her pain
Let her go, let her walk right out on me
And if the sun comes up tomorrow, let her be, let her be, let her beLast night I tried to leave, she cried so much I could not believe
She was the same girl I fell in love with long ago
She went in the back to get high
I sat down on my couch and started to cry
“Please mama, won’t you take me outta here.”
She said, “Boy let her cry.”The tears fall down like rain
Let her sing if it eases all her pain
Let her go, let her walk right out on me
And if the sun comes up tomorrow, let her be
Let her be
______
[“Let Her Cry,” by Hootie & The Blowfish. Written by: Mark Bryan, Dean Felber, Darius Rucker and Jim Sonefeld. Original release: Cracked Rear View, 1994.]
Hootie & The Blowfish: Darius Rucker (lead vocals, rhythm guitar); Mark Bryan (lead guitar, backing vocals, piano); Dean Felber (bass, backing vocals, piano); Jim Sonefeld (drums, percussion, backing vocals, rhythm guitar).
Video posted to youtube by user Charleston Food Bloggers.
I was a Hootie supporter when they came out. They were playing actual songs on actual instruments, without angst — a rarity for rock bands in 1994!
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Their debut album was very successful. I’m not too familiar with their whole catalogue. Did your interest decrease with later releases?
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Yes. I think that first one, Cracked Rear View, was the peak.
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Agreed Mike. I bought the first record when it came out as new release, having heard a little buzz and thinking the name was hilarious. Ah, youth. Anyway, I still have that first record in my collection. I might lose all of my rock street cred in saying this, but I think it’s damn near perfect. For what they were trying to achieve, they totally nailed it. I bought the next two, and they didn’t click the same way. But the first one, for sure.
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Haha, well I’ve lost my street cred…if I ever had it to begin with. 🙂 I’m only familiar with a few songs, including their cover of “Hey Hey What Can I Do” — which I also like.
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That Zep cover was on the Encomium disc. It’s a great set of songs.
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Thanks for letting me know!
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No problem. That’s a great disc. Make sure you get a copy that has Mana’s track on it.
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Good advice! Much appreciated. 🙂
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Get yourself Cracked Rear View. If you pay more than $0.99 you’re not looking very hard. 🙂 Every track is really good.
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Really! Wow that will be a great deal. 🙂
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Ha all I meant was that they sold a zillion copies of that first disc, and surely there will be lots of them out there. Our Amazon has good used copies for $0.01 (plus $3.49 shipping). Prowl your junk shops. Betcha you find multiple copies!
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THis is a safe place to like Hootie – I agree, Cracked Rear View is terrific! ‘Hannah Jane’ would be in a Top 100 song list for me. I didn’t realize he was giving Michael Stipe a shout-out in that first verse – had no idea what he was saying, I just mumbled along!
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Haha, “This is a safe place to like Hootie” — thanks for the smile, Geoff!
I don’t think I’ve heard Hannah Jane and shall have to seek it out.
I listened to earlier performances and believe that originally he just said “Stipe” and later added “Michael”.
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That could be how I missed it originally – but I’d imagine that’s true of many of my favourite 90s tunes. I sing along happily, though if asked to write down the lyrics, I don’t know if I could actually decipher what’s being said.
I was certain until recently that Blind Melon’s No Rain had a line about “cheating stragedy” – turns out it’s “cheeks dry today!”
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Sometimes our own interpretations are better.
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Ah yes, music treks to thrift stores and junk shops are on the list! That’s a good point about the zillion copies that were released and corresponding prices. An experienced connoisseur! 🙂
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Like many of us here, I have years under the belt spent in record shops. Good skill to have, as a collector! Not really useful in the larger world, generally. 🙂
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The larger world is missing out, Aaron!
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Ha you’re sweet. I dunno about that, though. If somebody wanted to pay me to be a record collector, I’d take the gig in a heart beat. Just waiting on meeting that patron…
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I hope you meet that patron soon! 🙂
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Although I was never fond of Hootie, I have great respect for Darius Rucker. He found Hootie was sliding, and made the switch to country music. Picking up the torch Charlie Pride left, he quickly moved to the top of the country charts. He is a talented individual, and comes across as an honestly nice guy.
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I did not know this! I’ll have to check out his country music. Charlie Pride is an impressive comparison. Thanks, Brian. 🙂
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I can totally hear him doing country. Good call.
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Great song, great singer!
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I’m glad you like this one, Vic! It made my day to find this clip.
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I liked him because he seemed like “just a guy” & very down to earth.
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Yes, he does come across as all that with a strong likeability factor.
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This song really suits many genres. It was written as a soft rock/pop song, but this version has the twang and fiddle of a country. But it works.
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That’s an excellent point! It’s very well-written so it translates. I also came across a full country version, another recent performance and perhaps a nod to his new country roots.
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I think that an artist learns his meaning as he gets older. This cover has depth and is tempered by sadness.
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Great observation, Rob. The edge has given way.
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This is such a weird throwback day for me. I also heard the gin blossoms in the car on my way to work.
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I hope it was a fun blast from the past!
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Danica, I apologize for getting side tracked and missing your writings. This song was a great favorite of mine, I am so glad to hear Darius singing on his own. I may have known about his starring over but love this song. Somehow, though, I always want to hug someone who cries, don’t you? 🙂
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Thank Robin, I’m always happy to see you and understand that it can be challenging to keep up with blog posts!
He sounds great on his own, doesn’t he? You’re right and that may be the key to this song’s enduring popularity. I’m glad you like it. 🙂
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