Sara

Album: Carolyn's Boy (2023)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Darius Rucker and Ed Sheeran first crossed paths while Sheeran was opening for Taylor Swift during the Red Tour in 2013. The former Hootie & The Blowfish lead singer had always wanted to write with Sheeran, and he finally got to do so during a trip to London, when they put together the song "Sara."

    "That kid is such an amazing songwriter and such a good guy," Rucker said to Billboard of Sheeran, adding, "You'll sing a line and he'll sing it back, and he's singing it differently and singing different words... but it's just better so you just go with that."
  • The song is a rumination about reconnecting with a childhood girlfriend. "Sara" started with Sheeran asking the country star about his first love. Rucker said it was his fifth-grade girlfriend, and after they talked about her, they penned the song.

    "Writing that song was so fun because Ed is such an amazing songwriter, but to write a song that's literally about your fifth-grade girlfriend who you haven't seen in 40 years, it was an experience," Rucker told People. "It was something that I never thought about writing, and when we did, I was so happy we did because I loved the song, and the song was true."
  • Has Rucker been in touch with his fifth-grade girlfriend after writing this song? The singer said he has no idea what Sara is doing now but would love to see her again at some point.
  • Rucker recorded "Sara" for his sixth country album, Carolyn's Boy, with producer Ross Copperman. Carolyn is the name of Rucker's mother, who raised him as a single mom - she died from a heart attack in 1992.
  • The musicians on this track are:

    Ilya Toshinskiy: acoustic guitar, electric guitar
    Tony Lucido: bass guitar
    Dan Dugmore: pedal steel
    Dave Cohen: keyboards
    Fred Eltringham: drums
    Micah Wilshire: background vocals

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Mike Campbell

Mike CampbellSongwriter Interviews

Mike is lead guitarist with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, and co-writer of classic songs like "Boys Of Summer," "Refugee" and "The Heart Of The Matter."

Michael Franti

Michael FrantiSongwriter Interviews

Franti tells the story behind his hit "Say Hey (I Love You)" and explains why yoga is an integral part of his lifestyle and his Soulshine tour.

Kerry Livgren of Kansas

Kerry Livgren of KansasSongwriter Interviews

In this talk from the '80s, the Kansas frontman talks turning to God and writing "Dust In The Wind."

Charlie Benante of Anthrax

Charlie Benante of AnthraxSongwriter Interviews

The drummer for Anthrax is also a key songwriter. He explains how the group puts their songs together and tells the stories behind some of their classics.

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"They're Playing My Song

"How much does it cost? I'll buy it?" Another songwriter told Jonathan to change these lyrics. Good thing he ignored this advice.

Ramones

RamonesFact or Fiction

A band so baffling, even their names were contrived. Check your score in the Ramones version of Fact or Fiction.