Darius Rucker has said that he’s always wanted to release the 1989 raucous classic “Straight To Hell,” originally cut by Georgia band Drivin’ N’ Cryin.’ Fast-forward almost thirty years, and he’s done just that as the song officially hit country radio on June 25. Written by Drivin’ band member Kevin Kinney, “Straight to Hell” tells the story of a single parent who’s dating while raising a kid, whose then left to his own most of the time to find his way; a way of life for most kids of divorce in that time.
Rucker decided to record the song for his album When Was The Last Time after pal Charles Kelley prodded him to do so. After Kelley suggests he sing on it as well, Rucker enlists the help of other pals Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan for a group of hunky southern gentlemen with amazing harmonies to boot.
Each singer takes lines here and there, but it’s their harmonies along with steel guitars and fiddles galore that pull the listener into a tale of fun, rebellion, and a bit debauchery:
She said son, won’t you go outside, I got a man coming over tonight
The seventh one in seven days
So I go down to the parking lot
And hang around all my friends
And roam the streets till dawn breaks again
Chorus
And I’m going straight to hell
Just like my mama said
I’m going straight to hell (to hell, woohoo)
I’m going straight to hell
Just like my mama said
I’m going straight to hell ( oh and I’m gonna burn it down, baby)
The video with Rucker and his band of Troublemakers all donning western attire in the prohibition era makes the song all the more entertaining. Check it out below:
The lyrics are witty, but the instrumentation and deliverance of the guys is what makes this a crowd-pleaser. Whether it’s in a bar or at a large stadium, crowds will be on their feet for this one.
For more information on Darius Rucker visit his website: www.dariusrucker.com.