Jessica Nicholson • June 28, 2016 •

Darius Rucker has released the new track “If I Told You,” via iHeart Radio and digital sales and streaming services. It is expected to be the first single from his upcoming fifth country album for Capitol Records Nashville.

“I always tell people, the first time I heard [the Black Crowes’] ‘She Talks to Angels,’ those lyrics did something to me. I probably requested that song eight times at different bars in Columbia, S.C. before going home, putting on Bonnie Raitt’s Home Plate, and trying to write ‘She Talks to Angels’ for Bonnie Raitt. ‘Let Her Cry’ just poured out,” shares Rucker. “For me, ‘If I Told You’ inspired me like ‘Angels’ as it’s not a song I wrote, but as a songwriter I would not change a line as it moves me to want to not only sing along but also as a songwriter it inspires a new perspective.”

In his first project with producer Ross Copperman, “If I Told You” also marks the first time Rucker has worked with Copperman’s co-writers on the single, Jon Nite and Shane McAnally.

“What I love about each album is the opportunity to expand on what we’ve done in the past—to push myself and the band creatively, vocally and lyrically,” adds Rucker. “At the end of the day, I’m a fan of great stories and great songs. With ‘Wagon Wheel’ I loved the visual it painted and it’s a song I can truly say I look forward to performing every night. With ‘If I Told You,’ I can’t wait to share in that vulnerability with the fans from the stage night after night.”