Top 50 Hootie & The Blowfish Songs

Formed in South Carolina in the late 1980s, Hootie and the Blowfish is a Soft Rock band. Their debut album, Cracked Rear View, took the world by storm on its release in 1994.

Their brand of radio-friendly Country Rock was the perfect antidote to the Grunge music scene of the time. Hootie’s music style gained them an almost cult-like following. The band disbanded in 2008 but reformed in 2019 for a reunion tour. However, that tour was so successful that they decided to make another album.

So, with the band on the comeback trail, I decided it was high time to take a look at the Top 10 Hootie & the Blowfish songs. Here, they are in order of release date from a career that spans over 25 years.

Top 50 Hootie & The Blowfish Songs

1

Hannah Jane (1994)

What better place to start than with “Hannah Jane”? The opening track from the band’s hugely successful debut album, Cracked Rear View. The album has sold over 20 million units and currently sits at #19 on the list of bestselling albums in the United States.

“Hannah Jane” was never released as a single. But it thoroughly deserves its place among the best Hootie and the Blowfish songs. The song was named after the band’s favorite pub in Columbia, South Carolina. It’s about missing the good old times whilst knowing you have to move on with life.

It’s the perfect start to a cracking album. The opening drum beat and guitar riff pull you in and set the scene for the rest of the album.

2

I’m Goin’ Home (1994)

Another track from their much-celebrated first album. “I’m Goin’ Home” was a particularly emotional track for lead singer Darius Rucker. It deals with the death of his mother, who passed away from a heart attack in 1992 before the band hit the big time.

It’s about learning to live with losing those closest to you and understanding that they have gone to a better place. Rucker was clearly a believer in the afterlife, and his mother has gone home to heaven, so there’s no need to be sad. “I’m Goin’ Home” has since become a fan favorite and a staple of the band’s live performances.

3

Hold My Hand (1994)

The band’s debut single from Cracked Rear View introduced Hootie and the Blowfish to a much wider audience. It remains one of the most popular Hootie and the Blowfish songs to date.

Lead singer Darius Rucker’s smooth vocals deliver a sweet tale about loving your partner to the best of your abilities. Providing her with a hand that will never let go. As usual, strong backing vocals are heavily featured here. They almost give the song a gospel sound that adds to the impact. The song was a big success rising to #10 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and giving the band their first genuine hit.

4

Let Her Cry (1994)

“Let Her Cry” was the second single from Cracked Rear View. This track gave the band another Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, eventually peaking at #9. The song was also a Top 10 hit in Canada and Australia. This showed that it wasn’t just music fans in the United States taking notice of the band. A Grammy was also bestowed on the song for Best Pop Performance by a duo or group.

It’s a slow number about a man’s struggle to maintain a relationship with his alcoholic wife. And how sometimes, the best thing you can do for them and yourself is to let them go. Rucker has stated that the song was inspired by the Black Crowes’ track “She Talks to Angels.” Whatever the inspiration, it’s one of the most successful Hootie and the Blowfish songs ever.

5

Only Wanna Be with You (1995)

The third single from their debut album remains the band’s biggest hit to date. “Only Wanna Be with You” made it to #1 on the Billboard Mainstream Top 40. Likewise, it reached the dizzying height of #6 on the Billboard Hot 100. In Canada, it topped the singles chart for three consecutive weeks.

It’s a beautifully crafted piece of Pop music. The song features that classic, carefree sound and attitude that made the band so popular at the forefront. As a result, it has become Hootie and the Blowfish’s signature song. And it remains the track people most associate with the band to this day.

Interestingly, the band had to settle out of court with Bob Dylan for using lines from his song “Idiot Wind.” Initially, there was no problem. But, Dylan’s management company objected once the song became a hit.

6

Time (1995)

The fourth single from Cracked Rear View was not quite as successful as the first three. However, it still made it into the Top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #14. That made it four singles in a row to achieve that feat. Not bad, considering they all came from the same album. Once again, they scored a #1 hit in Canada with this release.

The song retains the lighthearted sound the band is famous for. However, the lyrics focus on the existential despair we can all occasionally feel as time passes us by. Fading memories and missed opportunities haunt the protagonist, causing him regret, pain, and sorrow.

7

Old Man and Me (1996)

The incredible success of their debut album put a lot of pressure on Hootie and the Blowfish to deliver with their follow-up, Fairweather Johnson. Unfortunately, the album wasn’t nearly as successful as its predecessor. But it produced several great songs. “Old Man and Me” is one of them.

The song is about an old homeless man who has to put up with being ignored or abused daily. Rucker wrote the song after a homeless guy asked him for change, and he was rude to him. Feeling bad about the incident, Rucker wrote this song as an apology.

The song was another chart success for the band. It peaked at #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and scored them another #1 hit on the Canadian Singles chart.

8

I Will Wait (1998)

“I Will Wait” was the lead single from Musical Chairs, the band’s third studio album. It’s a great song, but by this point in the band’s career, chart success was becoming increasingly hard to come by. The song failed to break into the Billboard Hot 100. Although, it did reach #7 on the Canadian Singles chart.

Rucker wrote the song about waiting for the one you love. His inspiration from watching his friend’s parents spend a lot of time apart as the father was in the military. He was impressed by the faithful dedication of his friend’s mother and was inspired to write about it.

If you’re ever faced with time apart from your loved one, this heartfelt song may well help you through.

9

I Hope That I Don’t Fall in Love with You (2000)

Hootie and the Blowfish have recorded several cover versions over the years. And their spin on Tom Waits’s “I Hope That I Don’t Fall in Love with You” is one of the most memorable. 

Included on their 2000 compilation album, Scattered, Smothered and Covered, it’s a beautiful rendition of a truly lovely song. It’s just Ruckus and his acoustic guitar on this one. Yet, his remarkable vocal range carries the day here. He really does this romantic classic justice.

10

Rollin’ (2019)

We’ll finish off this list of the Top 10 Hootie & The Blowfish songs with one from their most recent album, Imperfect Circle. “Rollin'” is a track that proved Hootie and the Blowfish can still encapsulate that feel-good sound that originally made them famous.

The upbeat melody and chilled Country vibe is the perfect soundtrack to take with you on a road trip. “Rollin'” was the first single taken from the album. And, despite not achieving the commercial success of their earlier work, it’s still a great track. One that reminds us that the band still has a lot to offer.

11

Tucker’s Town

12

Goodbye

13

Running from an Angel

14

Use Me (feat. David Crosby)

15

Sorry’s Not Enough

16

When I’m Lonely

17

Sad Caper

18

Be the One

19

Hey Sister Pretty

20

Another Year’s Gone By

21

Little Brother

22

Motherless Child

23

Gravity of the Situation

24

Drowning

25

Innocence

26

A Smile

27

Fool

28

One By One

29

Fine Line

30

What’s Going On Here

31

Only Lonely

32

Ballad of John & Yoko

33

Innocent Eyes

34

Losing My Religion

35

Little Darlin’

36

Diamond in the Rough

37

Heaven

38

Las Vegas Nights

39

I’ll Come Running

40

I Go Blind

41

Fairweather Johnson

42

Space

43

Get Out of My Mind

44

Skippin’ Stone

45

Stand by My Girl

46

Bluesy Revolution

47

I Don’t Understand

48

One Love

49

Who’s Gonna Love Me Now?

50

Wishing

Want More Great Music from the 90s?

Well then, check out our thoughts on the Best 90s Country Songs, the Best 90s Love Songs, the Best 90s Rock Songs, the Best 90s Dance Songs, the Best 90s Grunge Songs, and the Best 90s Songs for more incredible song selections.

Of course, you’ll need to listen to them. So, take a look at our in-depth reviews of the Best Headphones for Music, the Best Sound Quality Earbuds, the Best Headphones For Rock & Metal Music, the Best Noise Isolating Earbuds, the Most Comfortable Headphones, and the Best Cheap Earbuds Under $100 you can buy in 2024.

Final Thoughts on the Top 10 Hootie & The Blowfish Songs

So that completes my list of the Top 10 songs by Hootie and the Blowfish. If you’re new to the band, hopefully, this will serve as a good introduction to their music. If you are already a fan, what do you think of my list? Did I miss any Blowfish classics or underrated tracks that should have been included? Let us know in the comments, and thanks for reading.

Until next time, happy listening.