Country music icon Darius Rucker took a trip down memory lane to pen his next potential top-charting hit. Back in August, a fan posted a video from his Tulsa, Oklahoma concert – where he gave his rowdy audience a sneak peek at an unreleased track called “Sara.”
The hitmaker joined forces with Ed Sheeran to write the reminiscent anthem about his fifth-grade girlfriend. “Ed kept asking me about her all day,” says the “Wagon Wheel” singer to the crowd about the writing process. “So, [it’s] my next record, I hope it’s my next single.” he added before he began his performance.
With his acoustic guitar in hand, Rucker started to ponder where his fifth-grade girlfriend is in life, questioning whether or not her father still has a negative viewpoint on him, or if she is married with kids. Throughout the soulful unreleased ballad, he shares how he is not searching for a significant other but a loyal friend to depend on.
“Sara, I know it’s been about 30 years since I’ve heard from you / are you still down in Fort Lauderdale / and does your Daddy still think I’m bad for you / young, young hearts never grow old / never get tired, but I’m not looking for love oh no / it don’t matter if you’re married / it don’t matter if you’re settled down / it don’t matter if you’re five kids deep on a dead-end street in the middle of town / I don’t want to be your lover / I don’t want to be your man / I just want to sit and talk to you till the day is through like we’re 13 again / I ain’t looking for a one-night / I’m just looking for a friend / I ain’t looking for a one-night / I’m just looking for my friend,” he sings.
Will the song ever be released?
The vulnerable lyrics quickly moved concert-goers and encouraged them to storm social media to convince the megastar to release the track. “Hey @dariusrucker, we loved your Carmel concert last night, but we’re going crazy trying to buy your song about your 5th-grade friend Sarah! ‘It don’t matter if you’re married, it don’t matter if you’re settled down…’Help! It’s such an awesome song, and we want more of it,” an eager country music fanatic tweeted.
The country hitmaker and South Carolina native replied to the eager fan on Twitter, letting them know that the song is “not out yet!”
Not out yet! https://t.co/KfPlUUoPhM
— Darius Rucker (@dariusrucker) October 3, 2021
While some were trying to nudge Rucker to release the sentimental hit, others were wondering when he would drop his next record. “Hey @dariusrucker, when can we expect that new album you’re holding out on us. C’mon, man!!!”
A Twitter user named Robert captured the award-winning musician’s attention, and he fired back with “Early next year Robert. Hahahahhahahhahahhahahah.”
“Sara” is expected to appear on Rucker’s forthcoming yet-to-be announced new album, which will also include his single “Beers & Sunshine.”
Early next year Robert. Hahahahhahahhahahhahahah https://t.co/VNFcSY79Q9
— Darius Rucker (@dariusrucker) October 5, 2021
Until Darius Rucker launches his heartfelt single, fans can see him live and potentially get a preview of “Sara.” Tickets for upcoming dates are available for purchase here.
Additionally, Rucker was recently added to the star-studded lineup for Grand Ole Opry’s upcoming 5000th Saturday Night broadcast, which takes place on October 30, 2021.
