Hootie and the Blowfish, First and Last on Late Show, 1994 & 2015

[@gund2281]

I seriously hope that Darius (Hootie) and the boys all realize just how special they are to people like myself. They were a HUGE part of some of the happiest times in my life, and I won't EVER forget it. Every time I hear Darius sing these songs it warms my heart. I wish I could put it in to better words, but I just don't know how.

[@loconn729]

When I saw this performance I had no idea I would have a son who would go to U of SC and retrace their steps. 😀

[@77cjp77]

Gund, you said it perfectly. There is no other group/band on the planet that has/does/will evoke such a warm feeling with every song they made. I absolutely love these guys and wish them nothing but happiness. Darius' voice is sublime and the group oozes smoothness. #bow #salute

[@tboda2621]

@@77cjp77You had to know some idiot like me would bring this up. Not manynblack guys liked white guy's singing so much they wanted to emulate them. But, alas..... Hootie: "Mom, you promised to get me Wayne Newton's greatest hits album for my birthday! I want to learn how to ooze smoothness." Just trying to have some fun in these trying times. Try it.

[@stephgrace17]

They helped define my high school years. I finally saw them on the 9th. So freaking awesome. They're so good live and it meant so much.

[@242fuac]

I feel ya. Hung out in Myrtle Beach from ‘93-‘96. Saw them several times. I was 18-22 STP, Bush, Hootie etc….. It was the best of times!

[@loristone9242]

This song still gives me the same amazing feeling I had back in the day when I first heard it. 💖

[@nickc9482]

Mr. Rucker is an american treasure.

[@BSA2TONE22]

Yes he is.

[@bobstacy4]

Perfect sounds from a great band with a lead singer that is just magical

[@DogGuy19]

Love that guy's voice. Doesn't matter what he is singing. ❤

[@19MichaelDixon]

My father (who passed in 1996 when I was 17) LOVED this song and loved Darius' voice. This song will always hold a special place in my heart. Hootie and the Blowfish are national treasures.

[@jbarwick50]

Their songs bring back such fond memories. I’ve lived in Columbia, South Carolina since 1983 and I saw Hootie before they were famous! I ❤️ them but especially Darius. He’s a good guy! ♥️ Hootie and the Blowfish ♥️

[@Oh_I_Will]

I remember when this aired…I was deployed in the military and the Armed Forces Network was showing the 94 show. When they started performing this song, my ears immediately pricked up….great tune

[@kp1flush]

Thank you for your service

[@orbison]

Great timing with Hootie and the Blowfish going on tour again in 2019. Love that David thought highly of them to bring them back on his last weeks

[@paulm1422]

I just saw Darius talking with Dan Rather. He said their album wasn't getting much play outside of the Southeast and just so happened that a NY radio station played it one time and David Letterman was driving, heard it, pulled over and called to book them. That was on a Tuesday, they appeared that Friday and their fortunes changed forever. You gotta love Dave just for that.

[@Elizabeth-w4h]

I’m reading Darius Rucker’s book, Life’s Too Short and just read this story about Letterman. The record company had to charter a plane so they could do Letterman and the show they were already scheduled to do. I was hoping to see this clip - thrilled the first and last are in the posted video.

[@rnrtruestories]

always loved these guys.

[@michael7054]

Me too!!!

[@jakedeyoung8568]

Darius Ruckers voice sounds the exact same in both performances. Truly a gifted musician.

[@alexmurray7949]

I think he use to smoke 💨 much raspier voice in the first video

[@michaelhotz7118]

Better

[@WULDORI]

well… he sounds less motivated in the second performance

[@Minivan_Man]

Great voice, awesome 90s tune.

[@dwayneelizondomountaindewh6073]

wow i remember seeing that first performance when i was 7. i was sick and couldn't sleep, my dad told me listen to this song it will make you feel better. It really did. memories

[@tonyascarlett2413]

Beautiful memory 😊

[@michaelsharp1991]

Bought the record right after this. Still play it,

[@marthalisk303]

Still have all my Hootie CD's and still listen to them regularly. Darius will go down in history as having one of the best voices in history!

[@allisonmarlow184]

These boys don't need studio albums, they can play LIVE!!

[@rohan750]

it seriously sounsd exactly like the studio version

[@Dumbguydiy]

I love how through all the years David Letterman was always so appreciative of the musical acts that came on, and was always a fanboy, and really allowed them all to have a great platform to showcase their talent. You can see how genuinely in love with the music and, sharing the stage with them he was in that last appearance.

[@leroyoneill1929]

What a tune, what a singer. ❤

[@davidtcollins1565]

Hootie and Darius still sounding great in 2019 on tour now!

[@DaveJordanReports]

This CD got me through college. Loved Hootie and the Blowfish! Thanks for uploading.

[@ryecabs]

The most celebrated part of my life.. the 90’s! 🎊

[@julianandreaswiggins5756]

Growing up in the 90s, this song was the reason why I started listening to different genres of music!! Thanks fellas!!!

[@LightworkerLissa]

Gawd, I just LOVE this band.

[@nyy190343]

It's so cool that despite the demands of an NBA career Dirk Nowitzki had time to play guitar for these guys

[@chef2542]

Lol, i love it..

[@user-R2D2397]

And he got shorter.

[@jjmanzano9]

Pretty cool backing vocals for a guy whose second language is English

[@davehughesfarm7983]

I thout it was that azzhole rapper Mike rapaport.

[@lukast5904]

love to see kanye and dirk doing smth different

[@bobstacy4]

Always have loved these guys. Great job

[@JJPelszynski]

Just finished listening to Darius’ memoir, Life’s Too Short, and watching these two performances back to back tops it off nicely. What an incredible journey for these guys.

[@charlesking5328]

I finished it a couple of nights ago myself. Very insightful and personal read . Really good.

[@makaylawoods5909]

Same!

[@annekepplinger5466]

In the 1990's I was newly married and lived in Vienna, Austria...I so missed the Carolina's and when we saw/heard them in Vienna I was so thrilled!!...One of my happiest memories!!!

[@DGNYY27]

This was outstanding. When I watched the show I said this is special moment

[@susankennett4823]

Brings back such great memories ! Thank you. I still love your music, legendary for such. No one like you guys anymore

[@elcid92bulldog]

This song is like fine wine. I think it sounds better now than it did back then. Darius has tweaked the lyrics here and there and Mark has added some new riffs.

[@kurtisbased183]

amazing band

[@futureshock7425]

Most would kill for pipes like rucker

[@b.o.b3461]

Darius Rucker in the mid 90’s was probably the coolest person to ever live

[@bradlafferty6076]

I met him walking in front of the band at JFK in 1995. I asked him “ Is your name Darius” he said yes and I shook his hand.

[@Shaun579]

if he was wearing a SF 49ers or Dallas Cowboys hat instead of Miami Dolphins i might agree with you

[@nickherger7578]

Such a talent....

[@jjmanzano9]

1994: you can tell Darius put a little bit more into his singing. He knew that performance was important to launch his career.

[@paulkersey1007]

This performance changed my life as a 17 year old budding musician in 1994.

[@justayoutuber1906]

This show made the band, overnight.

[@BettieMcclellan]

Loved Hootie and The Blowfish, times were so much different and better then👍👏🎶

[@BettieMcclellan]

College students, 3 white guys and 1 black guy, friends, great band and songs.

[@byrongammonbyrongammon9937]

Kick ass band.

[@jnt-eirshalom7449]

This Is AWESOME! I'm Happy For Them

[@jamesboyd2394]

I turned to Country and never looked back..From Texas to South Carolina...God Bless! Great move Darius!

[@leeholman5794]

Their music always makes me smile.

[@tonyphilpott1091]

So many memories from college with this jam

[@demonknight7965]

I never knew who did this song. Never lstened to Hootie n the Blowfish (knowingly) then when he swotched to country under his real name with wagon wheel i was instantly impressed. He never changed his style he just changed Persona's

[@alika207]

I encourage you to listen to everything he has done with and without them. He’s incredibly talented and can sing so many genres!

[@dwayneard5997]

Remember when Mr Dilly used to play in 5 points back in " Da Day" All l could say was Hootie and the "Who" Man these guys have come a Long way and deserve everything they have achieved.. ... Especially being true to their.. and.. My alma mater... "The University of South Carolina"... Gooo Gamecocks.!!!! 👍 🎸 😎 ❤️ 🤟

[@craigsouder9334]

From greenstreets to David letterman....homeboys know what I am talking about..

[@lifeisgoodafter60]

Great band!! I have seen them so many times. Once at Chastain Park in Atlanta, there was a guy in the audience that went onstage with them to play a couple of songs. I’m sure what I’m his history with band was but he obviously was special to the band. Great show and great band. My daughter and I used to go watch them play all the time. Great million dollar memories as a parent!!

[@destarruction]

There even better now than back then

[@RobertLeBlancPhoto]

This was one of the best introductions into country-pop for many listeners who never knew of the genre.

[@codyandjessisalazar3429]

It’s actually Alternative Rock…but now Darius does solo country songs as well. He just has an amazing and extremely versatile voice…one of my all time favorites!

[@marioarellano1239]

Key n peele brought me here!

[@diskoeric2248]

don't admit that

[@BursterMFG]

South park brought me here.

[@francis802us]

90s is just pure happiness!!

[@gribblegribble5432]

I think the first one was better, you can hear the hunger in there voice to make it..and I just found that hat, was looking for a long time but finally got one, was so happy!

[@AD-im5to]

I have a feeling this band will have a very good career

[@JMC01644]

Will?

[@jl4785]

They've been around for at least 20 years and and they are in the middle of their career right now

[@heathlee5698]

They started in 1986. Hold my hand was their first hit in 1989. Ur way off lol

[@cygnus_XI]

Everyone’s missing the joke here lol

[@AD-im5to]

@@cygnus_XI exactly

[@matipelmatip]

u know how good a performance/song it is by how much paul shaffer is into it

[@matthewlilley6226]

"the very popular CD format"

[@josephdeese5298]

I love the fact that he isnt using an in-ear. Pure talent!

[@maxfrombeyblade]

Joseph Deese Whats wrong with in ears? Genuinely curious

[@josephdeese5298]

@@maxfrombeyblade not a single thing! Just pointing out that he doesn't need one

[@haveaday1812]

That’s because he has feedback monitors on the floor in front of him genius.

[@useesin]

Legend has it Paul Schaffer is still headbanging to the final chorus

[@dongiller]

Shaffer; Paul Shaffer.

[@billwrubel6313]

That’s one band that I would love to go see live they came out when I was in college and they were one of my favorite bands in my college years and they still are a band maybe I’ll catch them on a reunion tour sometime that would be cool There’s only a handful of bands from the 90s that are still intact that I really enjoyed most of had a member die from a drug overdose unfortunately

[@alexshealy8618]

Saw them at Williams Brice stadium during halftime of a USC game

[@PMSAvenger1]

I heard this on the radio yesterday and can't stop listening to them. I thought they were good in the 90s, but they were great. I should have been paying closer attention back then. I also didn't realize how much time went by. I'm shocked this song actually came out in 1994.

[@bradlafferty6076]

I bought the Cracked Rear View cassette in 1995 and wire it out. 1 of 16 million sold.

[@rubyred93chev]

_Final tally 21 x Platinum(double Diamond and then some). And this is why a 90s band named 'Hootie and the Blowfish' were the hottest ticket in 1994!_

[@f-15eagle84]

Darius sporting that Miami Dolphins lid back in the day. Go Phins 🐬🐬😉

[@kingcassels7859]

The Back-up band is doing an incredible job as well. over all an amazing performance by Hootie.

[@Countcho]

he has amazing voice. he voice barely changed over 20 years. crazy.

[@jamesmarshall1905]

Very cool!

[@bulldogsofeastvan5647]

The good old days....literally!

[@clarkm4200]

He's seamless...with sharp backing.

[@PlasticPellets]

they look so much more confident in 2015

[@parkerjon29]

Darius is such a beautiful man.

[@JP-wx6uh]

I want to hear a "Hootie's had one too many" version of this song. I bet it would be 👌 awesome

[@HeliRy]

Darius is possibly the most natural stage performer of all time. His flow, his vibe, tone and inflections. All musicians have a stage persona they switch into. An alter ego. Darius is just Darius, on stage or off. Truly genuine.

[@pamelabartholomew449]

Love this band. Scott walker. Hozier. Darius rucker- best voices ever?

[@kimnora53]

One of the best for sure

[@brianmodum5312]

I love when he gets together with Old Crow Medicine Show

[@lisafarrell5996]

Love this. Did I see they got back together and toured a few years ago?

[@sgtpepper1138]

Going to see them this June with Barenaked Ladies.

[@jonnyjoe119]

Dirks harmonizing improved significantly in 21 years

[@diannaburnett8109]

I bought the record the next day❤

[@charlesvanleuven7602]

Genius!

[@homergurganus9884]

Awesome, I saw the debut on Letterman

[@sherryherrick6567]

Love the guy in the shorts (his signature shorts?). He has so much energy! ❤

[@realJHerndon]

Darius said I ain't going on Letterman without some new strings! For real, this band has always been top notch

[@NoCoverCharge]

Good ol Music Farm shirt …Charleston sc

[@wpochert]

Saw them open for Toad the Wet Sprocket a couple weeks after this aired. They did the entire Cracked Rear View album...freakin' flawless. In between the shows I went to the bathroom and got a soda at the bar.. I looked over and saw them playing basketball in an adjacent room through a cracked shade. Walked int here and watched them for a while.. then Darius walks over and introduces himself and the rest of the band did as well. I was learning to play guitar at the time and had a conversation with Mark about chords and stuff. I told Darius they should play summerfest and he's like man we cant just do that, they would have to invite us. At the time they had not quite become superstars. Turns out they did wind up playing summerfest the following summer :) Later that night Mark was at the bar and kinda drunk and he recognizes me and we talk a bit and he explains how he is just a musican trying to make a living.. yadda yadda.. haha. What a night

[@aglcarvalho]

GreaT!

[@BERZERKERSV4]

Look Taylor Swift..no auto tune, no lip syncing and live music...

[@AttikaYoung]

2015 was even better. Darius's voice hasn't changed a bit.

[@leovangroll7165]

What strikes me is how far downhill the Late show has gone since Dave retired.

[@SlickBlackCadillac]

Colbert is CIA

[@JamesHoffa1]

2:03 lol he wasn't expecting that

[@ChrisPernaDrums]

I never realized that Paul and the band played along with Hootie and the Blowfish the entire time... but now I can hear where Anton and Soni are off on the snare back beats and they just sound fat or like flams... crazy weird stereo / live effect. Just goes to show just how good Paul Shaffer and the World's Most Dangerous Band actually were back in 1994. In 2015, it's all H&tBF and a few touring musicians... great band, great memories.

[@dongiller]

Shaffer; Paul Shaffer. :)

[@ChrisPernaDrums]

@@dongiller Thank you...iPhone has it's own ideas about "autocorrecting" my spelling...

[@dongiller]

Everyone’s. Exasperating as hell.

[@langdonalger9219]

“Is Hootie ready?”

[@2bLackCats1989]

As you may know, Darius hates being called hootie. The name came from 2 dudes they partied with. A big eyed guy named hootie and a big cheeked dude named blowfish!

[@matipelmatip]

I bet dave called darius hootie when he first met him, that must be the reason behind his smirk lol

[@brendanmetz2306]

what’s up with that super loud tambourine lol

[@Sanchezm16]

Smartness brought me here

[@scottk8245R]

Shlda stayed together

[@prettygirlus9008]

"The very popular CD format." LOL!

[@jaredkelly930]

0:40 cue the Key and Peele skit of Hootie being just a fictitious name.

[@matthewrammig]

He almost sounds like Stevie Ray Vaughan

[@tommybrown4191]

Mark is wearing a Music Farm shirt, epic!

[@guitarandotherthings6090]

I like how he got rid of the fake 90s “Creed accent” on the second filming :) They were also less nervous, it was great!

[@rashikrayat9536]

PC principal brought me here.

[@mymohicans]

Hootie hootie hootie... No it's darius

[@justinkrann7406]

did they want the show band to join?

[@johannquinn]

"Hootie...Hootie...Hootie"!! "Blowfish...Blowfish...Blowfish"!!