“Earth Stopped Cold at Dawn,” Hootie & the Blowfish, Fairweather Johnson (1996)
Hootie’s first song that should’ve been a single but wasn’t, although I still heard it years later at a department store.
“Tootie,” Hootie & the Blowfish, Fairweather Johnson (1996)
One of Hootie’s true buried treasures (no video found of Darius singing but plenty of covers, which is testament enough.
“Michelle Post,” Hootie & the Blowfish, Musical Chairs (1998)
Hootie’s third album saw the band bust loose from expectations. This one’s pretty stripped clean, almost just Darius with backing vocals and banjo.
“Desert Mountain Showdown,” Hootie & the Blowfish, Musical Chairs (1998)
Another delight, a hoedown that became a staple of Hootie’s concerts.
“Fine Line,” Hootie & the Blowfish, Scattered Smothered and Covered (2000)
A Radney Foster cover circa the first album but finally released officially years later.
“I Hope That I Don’t Fall in Love with You,” Hootie & the Blowfish, Scattered Smothered and Covered (2000)
Another great cover. Hootie started as a cover band and it always shows, as they’re excellent at interpreting material.
“Can’t Find the Time,” Hootie & the Blowfish, Me Myself & Irene soundtrack (2000)
Another cover, this time leaning deep into soul territory.
“Exodus,” solo, Back to Then (2002)
The best song from Darius’s first solo album, although he sings it better without musical accompaniment.
“When She’s Gone,” Hootie & the Blowfish, Hootie and the Blowfish (2003)
“Little Darlin’,” Hootie & the Blowfish, Hootie and the Blowfish (2003)
Hootie’s fourth album builds and expands on Musical Chairs in its best moments. “Little Darlin’” is another buried treasure. They both are.
“State Your Peace,” Hootie & the Blowfish, Looking for Lucky (2005)
I didn’t choose a lot of rockers for this list, but here’s a good one.
“A Smile,” Hootie & the Blowfish, Looking for Lucky (2005)
By the fifth album Hootie had lost all mainstream momentum. A real pity, as songs like this in an earlier era would’ve been iconic.
“Alright,” solo, Learn to Live (2008)
“This,” solo, Charleston SC 1966 (2010)
Two songs that illustrate how perfectly Darius slipped into country music.
“True Believers,” solo, True Believers (2013)
Other than the other highlight from this album, this would be one of my personal favorites for true calling cards of his country efforts.
“Wagon Wheel,” solo, True Believers (2013)
The song that made Darius as a country artist blow all the way up, and probably his musical legacy.
“Not Tonight,” Hootie & the Blowfish, Imperfect Circle (2019)
“Lonely on a Saturday Night,” Hootie & the Blowfish, Imperfect Circle (2019)
If Hootie’s comeback had landed, these songs would be recognized as classics.
“Fires Don’t Start Themselves,” solo, Carolyn’s Boy (2023)
Darius’s most recent single, and one of his best vocals, incredibly still finding new depths.
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