Music Metrics Vault

Hootie & The Blowfish

Data updated on 2024-11-11 18:53:23 UTC
Hootie & the Blowfish flipped the script on the conventional notion of college rock. During the 1980s, when the group cut their teeth along the Eastern Seaboard, college rock belonged to the arty rockers who resided at the left of the dial. Hootie's four members were raised on these sounds, showing a particular affection for R.E.M. and their jangle-pop heirs, but the band streamlined and straightened that chime, making straight-ahead music ideal for house parties, tailgates, and sports bars. Surprisingly, this formula turned Hootie & the Blowfish into superstars. Part of the reason for their breakthrough was Darius Rucker, who sang with a soulful gusto unfamiliar to other college rockers; he gave the band a focal point, so much so that some casual fans assumed his nickname was Hootie. Cracked Rear View, the band's 1994 debut, racked up hit after hit, and while they didn't manage to replicate that blockbuster status, their star never diminished. Hootie paid their good fortune forward, cutting songs by their college rock peers and thereby giving them a path toward royalties. While this music defined the mid-'90s mainstream in the wake of alt-rock, it proved enduring: When the group reunited to celebrate their 25th anniversary, they found an audience waiting to party like it was 1994.

Formed at the University of South Carolina, the group featured lead vocalist/guitarist Darius Rucker, Mark Bryan, Dean Felber, and Jim "Soni" Sonefeld, and the band's name referred to two mutual friends (not Rucker and the group itself). Cracked Rear View, the quartet's first album, was released in the fall of 1994 and became enormously successful, due in part to the album's first single, "Hold My Hand." The song had worked its way into the Top Ten by the beginning of 1995, propelling the album to number one and paving the way for three additional Top 20 singles: "Let Her Cry," "Only Wanna Be with You," and "Time."

Cracked Rear View became the most popular album of 1995. By the time Hootie & the Blowfish returned to the scene with a second album, Fairweather Johnson, in early 1996, the debut had sold 13 million copies in America alone. Fairweather Johnson didn't replicate that success. It entered the charts at number one and sold two million copies within its first four months of release, but it didn't produce any singles on the level of "Hold My Hand" or "Let Her Cry." Musical Chairs followed in 1998 and experienced even less success, and the bandmates decided to take a short break after its release.

Scattered, Smothered, and Covered was issued two years later, featuring previously unreleased material and several cover songs. The band returned with new studio material on a 2003 self-titled effort for Atlantic, and followed in 2004 with an engaging Best of set. It included all their big singles, as well as cover songs like 54-40's "I Go Blind" (which had previously appeared on the Friends Original TV Soundtrack). Hootie & the Blowfish toured for most of the year in support of the hits collection, then returned to the studio to record Looking for Lucky, which was released in August 2005 through their own Sneaky Long imprint. As the decade drew to a close, Rucker took some time to launch a solo career in country music. He became one of the genre's breakout stars in 2008, selling over a million copies of Learn to Live and sending three songs to the top of the country charts.

Hootie & the Blowfish reunited in 2015 to play one of the final shows of the Late Show with David Letterman, and that reunion stuck. The group began working on new songs, but before those surfaced, they celebrated the 25th anniversary of Cracked Rear View in 2019 via an expanded reissue and a summer tour. Later that fall, Hootie & the Blowfish released Imperfect Circle, their first album in 14 years. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi

Total plays

903.5 million
Updated on 2024-11-11

Monthly listeners

2,404,040

Followers

1,158,640

Top Cities

  1. Australia
    60,642 listeners
  2. Australia
    52,972 listeners
  3. United States
    40,009 listeners
  4. United States
    37,215 listeners
  5. Australia
    48,709 listeners

Most popular tracks

Track Plays Duration Release date
Only Wanna Be With You - 2019 Remaster
Only Wanna Be With You - 2019 Remaster
215,986,564 3:47 1994-07-05
Only Wanna Be with You
Only Wanna Be with You
215,986,564 3:50 1994-07-01
Let Her Cry
Let Her Cry
106,827,019 5:19 1994-07-01
Hold My Hand
Hold My Hand
87,103,664 4:18 1994-07-01
I Go Blind - 2019 Remaster
I Go Blind - 2019 Remaster
50,580,710 3:13 1994-07-05
Time
Time
35,611,316 4:57 1994-07-01
Get out of My Mind
Get out of My Mind
13,423,346 2:58 2005-08-09
Hey Hey What Can I Do
Hey Hey What Can I Do
12,884,429 3:56 2000-10-24
Hey, Hey What Can I Do - 2019 Remaster
Hey, Hey What Can I Do - 2019 Remaster
12,884,429 3:56 1994-07-05
One Love
One Love
8,679,921 4:07 2005-08-09
Hannah Jane
Hannah Jane
7,351,090 3:34 1994-07-01
Running From An Angel - 2019 Remaster
Running From An Angel - 2019 Remaster
6,994,003 3:37 1994-07-05
Running from an Angel
Running from an Angel
6,994,003 3:38 1994-07-01
I Hope That I Don't Fall in Love with You
I Hope That I Don't Fall in Love with You
6,547,737 2:59 2000-10-24
Not Tonight
Not Tonight
4,251,524 3:20 2019-11-01
State Your Peace
State Your Peace
4,130,992 3:38 2005-08-09
Hold On
Hold On
3,982,155 3:21 2019-10-17
I Will Wait
I Will Wait
3,944,402 4:18 1998-09-15
Miss California
Miss California
3,847,275 3:11 2019-09-20
Old Man & Me
Old Man & Me
3,750,220 4:28 1996-04-16
Tucker's Town
Tucker's Town
3,749,016 4:02 1996-04-16
Hey Sister Pretty
Hey Sister Pretty
3,431,634 3:25 2005-08-09
Not Even The Trees - 2019 Remaster
Not Even The Trees - 2019 Remaster
3,422,056 4:37 1994-07-05
Not Even the Trees
Not Even the Trees
3,422,056 4:40 1994-07-01
Losing My Religion
Losing My Religion
3,063,416 4:23 2020-09-11
I'm Goin' Home
I'm Goin' Home
3,042,180 4:11 1994-07-01
Innocence
Innocence
2,390,060 3:27 2003-03-04
Let Me Be Your Man
Let Me Be Your Man
2,382,612 3:04 2000-10-24
Use Me
Use Me
2,306,607 4:57 2000-10-24
Goodbye
Goodbye
2,200,138 4:06 1994-07-01
Drowning
Drowning
2,030,652 5:02 1994-07-01
Look Away
Look Away
1,996,945 2:38 1994-07-01
Rollin'
Rollin'
1,902,006 3:17 2019-09-06
Sad Caper
Sad Caper
1,872,833 2:49 1996-04-16
Only Lonely
Only Lonely
1,774,823 4:39 1998-09-15
Wildfire Love
Wildfire Love
1,632,129 3:33 2019-11-01
Can I See You
Can I See You
1,613,070 3:39 2005-08-09
The Christmas Song
The Christmas Song
1,584,476 3:13 1997-09-23
Fine Line
Fine Line
1,574,723 3:32 2000-10-24
I'll Come Runnin' - Don's Plea Version
I'll Come Runnin' - Don's Plea Version
1,554,945 3:48 2003-03-04
The Killing Stone
The Killing Stone
1,464,129 4:27 2005-08-09
Space
Space
1,359,279 2:18 2003-03-04
Turn It Up
Turn It Up
1,303,619 3:21 2019-10-25
Let It Breathe
Let It Breathe
1,216,591 3:53 1996-04-16
She Crawls Away
She Crawls Away
1,199,038 4:09 1996-04-16
Deeper Side
Deeper Side
1,183,443 3:39 2003-03-04
The Rain Song
The Rain Song
1,113,944 3:52 2003-03-04
Let Her Cry - 1991 Version
Let Her Cry - 1991 Version
1,108,938 5:02 1994-07-05
Waltz into Me
Waltz into Me
1,103,167 3:14 2005-08-09
Lonely On A Saturday Night
Lonely On A Saturday Night
1,093,640 3:10 2019-10-04
Motherless Child
Motherless Child
1,069,469 0:53 1994-07-01
Be the One
Be the One
1,038,128 3:27 1996-04-16
A Smile
A Smile
1,010,599 3:49 2005-08-09
Turn It Up - Walshy Fire Of Major Lazer Remix
Turn It Up - Walshy Fire Of Major Lazer Remix
994,510 3:25 2020-09-11
Dream Baby
Dream Baby
957,686 2:58 2000-10-24
When I'm Lonely
When I'm Lonely
939,724 5:34 1996-04-16
We Are One
We Are One
923,569 2:03 2019-11-01
Desert Mountain Showdown
Desert Mountain Showdown
923,120 2:45 1998-09-15
For What It's Worth
For What It's Worth
876,376 2:42 2024-05-17
What's Going on Here
What's Going on Here
871,599 4:36 1998-09-15
Tears Fall Down
Tears Fall Down
855,910 3:06 2003-03-04
Las Vegas Nights
Las Vegas Nights
831,681 4:06 1998-09-15
Another Year's Gone By
Another Year's Gone By
809,373 3:45 2005-08-09
New Year's Day
New Year's Day
807,896 3:32 2019-11-01
Michelle Post
Michelle Post
785,112 2:20 1998-09-15
Autumn Jones
Autumn Jones
709,654 3:27 2005-08-09
Earth Stopped Cold at Dawn
Earth Stopped Cold at Dawn
686,011 3:29 1996-04-16
Everybody But You
Everybody But You
605,048 3:30 2019-11-01
Why
Why
604,997 3:18 2019-11-01
Only Wanna Be With You ("Kootchypop" Version) - 2019 Remaster
Only Wanna Be With You ("Kootchypop" Version) - 2019 Remaster
595,490 3:41 1994-07-05
Leaving
Leaving
591,041 2:36 2005-08-09
Before the Heartache Rolls In
Before the Heartache Rolls In
580,245 4:25 2000-10-24
Won't Be Home For Christmas
Won't Be Home For Christmas
559,738 3:51 2020-10-23
Almost Home
Almost Home
546,128 3:52 2000-10-24
One by One
One by One
541,163 3:51 1998-09-15
Renaissance Eyes
Renaissance Eyes
536,201 5:05 2000-10-24
Free to Everyone
Free to Everyone
502,482 3:24 2005-08-09
Love the One You're With (Live) - 2019 Remaster
Love the One You're With (Live) - 2019 Remaster
466,718 2:50 1994-07-05
When She's Gone
When She's Gone
462,971 4:07 2003-03-04
Little Brother
Little Brother
454,734 3:10 2003-03-04
Half A Day Ahead
Half A Day Ahead
445,756 3:23 2019-11-01
Change
Change
443,656 3:27 2019-11-01
I'm over You
I'm over You
415,412 4:19 2000-10-24
I Go Blind (Live) - 2019 Remaster
I Go Blind (Live) - 2019 Remaster
365,672 3:04 1994-07-05
Silly Little Pop Song
Silly Little Pop Song
345,546 2:57 1996-04-16
So Strange
So Strange
335,390 4:04 1996-04-16
Tootie
Tootie
329,962 3:05 1996-04-16
The Ballad Of John And Yoko (Live) - 2019 Remaster
The Ballad Of John And Yoko (Live) - 2019 Remaster
318,963 2:55 1994-07-05
Fool
Fool
310,859 3:05 1996-04-16
Show Me Your Heart
Show Me Your Heart
302,878 4:02 2003-03-04
Gravity of the Situation
Gravity of the Situation
302,562 4:36 2000-10-24
Driver 8
Driver 8
295,690 4:27 2000-10-24
Where Were You - 2019 Remaster
Where Were You - 2019 Remaster
291,897 3:55 1994-07-05
Hold My Hand
Hold My Hand
289,705 2:59 2003-01-01
Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want
Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want
289,241 1:51 2000-10-24
Go and Tell Him (Soup Song) + Hidden Track "Alright" - + Hidden track "Alright"
Go and Tell Him (Soup Song) + Hidden Track "Alright" - + Hidden track "Alright"
287,642 9:41 2003-03-04
Honeyscrew
Honeyscrew
284,307 3:37 1996-04-16
Closet Full of Fears
Closet Full of Fears
282,410 3:18 1998-09-15
Wishing
Wishing
281,318 2:49 1998-09-15
Let Her Cry - Radio Edit
Let Her Cry - Radio Edit
275,850 4:11 2017-08-11
Fairweather Johnson
Fairweather Johnson
275,702 0:51 1996-04-16
All That I Believe - 2019 Remaster
All That I Believe - 2019 Remaster
229,739 3:29 1994-07-05
Hold My Hand ("Kootchypop" Version) - 2019 Remaster
Hold My Hand ("Kootchypop" Version) - 2019 Remaster
226,476 5:07 1994-07-05
Let Her Cry (Live) - 2019 Remaster
Let Her Cry (Live) - 2019 Remaster
222,184 5:15 1994-07-05
Little Darlin'
Little Darlin'
220,983 3:18 2003-03-04
Woody
Woody
215,410 3:14 2003-03-04
Answer Man
Answer Man
211,650 3:22 1998-09-15
Araby
Araby
210,499 2:50 2000-10-24
Home Again
Home Again
209,754 4:07 1998-09-15
What Do You Want from Me Now
What Do You Want from Me Now
191,254 3:41 1998-09-15
Bluesy Revolution
Bluesy Revolution
186,773 4:46 1998-09-15
The Old Man And Me ("Kootchypop" Version) - 2019 Remaster
The Old Man And Me ("Kootchypop" Version) - 2019 Remaster
96,555 4:29 1994-07-05
Fine Line - 2019 Remaster
Fine Line - 2019 Remaster
87,614 3:33 1994-07-05
Almost Home - 2019 Remaster
Almost Home - 2019 Remaster
87,003 4:02 1994-07-05
Rock to Sleep
Rock to Sleep
86,022 2:56 2005-11-10
Time - 1991 Version
Time - 1991 Version
64,791 4:28 1994-07-05
If You're Going My Way ("Kootchypop" Version) - 2019 Remaster
If You're Going My Way ("Kootchypop" Version) - 2019 Remaster
64,663 3:29 1994-07-05
Hold My Hand (Live) - 2019 Remaster
Hold My Hand (Live) - 2019 Remaster
64,565 5:31 1994-07-05
Sorry's Not Enough ("Kootchypop" Version) - 2019 Remaster
Sorry's Not Enough ("Kootchypop" Version) - 2019 Remaster
61,865 4:04 1994-07-05
Only Wanna Be With You (Live) - 2019 Remaster
Only Wanna Be With You (Live) - 2019 Remaster
61,608 3:53 1994-07-05
Running From an Angel - 1991 Version
Running From an Angel - 1991 Version
60,802 3:57 1994-07-05
Hold My Hand - 1990 Version
Hold My Hand - 1990 Version
55,678 4:40 1994-07-05
Time (Live) - 2019 Remaster
Time (Live) - 2019 Remaster
52,751 5:12 1994-07-05
Hold My Hand - MTV Unplugged
Hold My Hand - MTV Unplugged
49,055 4:29 2004-01-01
Hannah Jane (Live) - 2019 Remaster
Hannah Jane (Live) - 2019 Remaster
48,246 3:36 1994-07-05
Drowning - 1991 Version
Drowning - 1991 Version
47,511 5:50 1994-07-05
Not Even The Trees (Live) - 2019 Remaster
Not Even The Trees (Live) - 2019 Remaster
47,231 4:40 1994-07-05
Use Me (Live) - 2019 Remaster
Use Me (Live) - 2019 Remaster
45,761 4:60 1994-07-05
Little Girl
Little Girl
43,884 2:50 1994-07-05
I Don't Understand
I Don't Understand
43,564 3:58 1994-07-05
Look Away - 1990 Version
Look Away - 1990 Version
43,330 2:28 1994-07-05
Let My People Go
Let My People Go
41,819 2:37 1994-07-05
I'm Goin' Home (Live) - 2019 Remaster
I'm Goin' Home (Live) - 2019 Remaster
40,515 4:37 1994-07-05
Goodbye (Live) - 2019 Remaster
Goodbye (Live) - 2019 Remaster
40,456 3:54 1994-07-05
Running From An Angel (Live) - 2019 Remaster
Running From An Angel (Live) - 2019 Remaster
39,604 4:06 1994-07-05
Fine Line (Live) - 2019 Remaster
Fine Line (Live) - 2019 Remaster
38,567 3:23 1994-07-05
The Old Man And Me (Live) - 2019 Remaster
The Old Man And Me (Live) - 2019 Remaster
38,280 4:20 1994-07-05
If You're Going My Way (Live) - 2019 Remaster
If You're Going My Way (Live) - 2019 Remaster
37,626 3:31 1994-07-05
Look Away (Live) - 2019 Remaster
Look Away (Live) - 2019 Remaster
37,504 2:36 1994-07-05
Motherless Child (Live) - 2019 Remaster
Motherless Child (Live) - 2019 Remaster
33,642 0:54 1994-07-05
Drowning (Live) - 2019 Remaster
Drowning (Live) - 2019 Remaster
33,592 6:12 1994-07-05
Sorry's Not Enough (Live) - 2019 Remaster
Sorry's Not Enough (Live) - 2019 Remaster
33,071 4:17 1994-07-05
Goodbye Girl
Goodbye Girl
7,964 3:16 2004-03-02
Freedom's Child
Freedom's Child
7,557 4:19 1999-01-05

New releases

For What It's Worth
For What It's Worth
2024-05-17
[Capitol Nashville]
Won't Be Home For Christmas
Won't Be Home For Christmas
2020-10-23
[Capitol Nashville]
Imperfect Circle
Imperfect Circle
2020-09-11
[Capitol Nashville]
Imperfect Circle
Imperfect Circle
2019-11-01
[Capitol Nashville]
Turn It Up
Turn It Up
2019-10-25
[Capitol Nashville]
Hold On
Hold On
2019-10-17
[Capitol Nashville]
Lonely On A Saturday Night
Lonely On A Saturday Night
2019-10-04
[Capitol Nashville]
Miss California
Miss California
2019-09-20
[Capitol Nashville]
Rollin'
Rollin'
2019-09-06
[Capitol Nashville]
Looking for Lucky
Looking for Lucky
2005-08-09
[Vanguard]
Looking for Lucky
Looking for Lucky
2005-08-09
[Sneaky Long Records]
The Best of Hootie & The Blowfish (1993 - 2003)
The Best of Hootie & The Blowfish (1993 - 2003)
2004-03-02
[Rhino Atlantic]
Hootie & The Blowfish
Hootie & The Blowfish
2003-03-04
[Rhino Atlantic]
Scattered, Smothered and Covered
Scattered, Smothered and Covered
2000-10-24
[Atlantic Records]
Musical Chairs
Musical Chairs
1998-09-15
[Atlantic Records]
Fairweather Johnson
Fairweather Johnson
1996-04-16
[Atlantic Records]
Cracked Rear View (25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition)
Cracked Rear View (25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition)
1994-07-05
[Rhino Atlantic]
Cracked Rear View
Cracked Rear View
1994-07-01
[Atlantic Records]