Country music superstar Carrie Underwood has been singing hits on our radios since 2005 and has only become more popular over time. From her country ballads to her dip into pop music, these 10 Carrie Underwood songs are perfect to blast at any gathering of family and friends — or just for yourself.
The artist rose to fame after she was crowned the winner of American Idol in its fourth season in 2005, the then 21-year-old immediately skyrocketing to superstardom when her first single, “Inside Your Heaven,” debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The album that featured it, Some Hearts, scored the number two slot on the Billboard 200 Albums chart.
This 8-time Grammy winner has stormed the Hot 100 chart with dozens of number one hits and multiple top 10 songs. She won for the first time at the 40th Annual Grammys, taking home the gold for Best New Artist and Best Female Country Vocal Performance for “Jesus Take the Wheel.”
Underwood went on to win six more Grammy awards over the years with her equally stellar work, “Before He Cheats,” for example, becoming one of her most popular songs, soaring on the charts and in fan’s hearts.
Take a listen to some of our favorite Carrie Underwood songs and see which of them are your favorites, too.
10. “Dirty Laundry” (2015): Carrie Underwood songs
One of Underwood’s lesser-known hits about an unfaithful relationship was released as a part of her 2015 album, Storyteller. The singer uses the metaphor of dirty laundry as a way to highlight her partner cheating, singing “All the Ajax in the world ain’t gonna clean your dirty laundry.” The song cleaned up enough to land Underwood the number three slot on the Hot Country chart.
9. “The Fighter” (2016)
This duet with Keith Urban was a major hit, first attracting attention when he and Underwood performed it together at the 59th Grammy Awards in 2017. The song landed at number two on the Hot Country chart and remained on the list for 33 weeks.
8. “If I Didn’t Love You” (Feat. Jason Aldean) (2021): Carrie Underwood songs
Yet another duet for Underwood, this time pairing up with Jason Aldean. This powerful ballad tells a tale as old as time, yet the song still soars with the way they tell the story about how two former lovers are having trouble moving on from one another. This song, too, landed at number two on the Hot Country chart.
7. “Wasted” (2005)
“Wasted” was a successful song released as a part of her debut album, Some Hearts, in 2005. The track, which is about a young woman finding herself and not wasting her years, became the number one Hot Country song, not unlike many of Underwood’s other hits.
6. “Cowboy Casanova” (2009): Carrie Underwood songs
This infectious tune incorporates interesting guitar riffs and elements of violin, as well as Underwood’s irresistible vocals. “Cowboy Casanova” landed at number 11 on the Hot 100 chart, as well as number one on the Hot Country chart.
But as for who the song is about? Underwood says it’s not that black and white. “’Cowboy Casanova’ is about a type of guy — not about a cowboy. I think of cowboy as being quiet and strong and rugged and good looking … and having an inner confidence kind of thing. Not necessarily just boots and hat.”
5. “Good Girl” (2012)
“Good Girl” arrived as the lead single from Underwood’s fourth studio album, Blown Away, in 2012. The lyrics serve as advice from someone more experienced to a young girl who is a bit naïve about a boy she likes. “Good Girl” became a number one Hot Country song.
4. “Church Bells” (2015): Carrie Underwood songs
Underwood’s hit “Church Bells” came off of 2015’s Storyteller. The song follows a beautiful young woman who meets and marries a rich man who can offer her anything, but their relationship soon turns violent. To free herself, the girl poisons him and to the rest of the world the man seems to have died a “mysterious” death.
The reference of church bells is used as the girl sits with her violent husband in church the morning after he hits her, wondering how he could do such a thing. But they come around again, ringing at the rich man’s funeral.
3. “Jesus Take the Wheel” (2005)
This country and Christian hit song scored Underwood one of her first two Grammy awards in 2007 for best female country vocal performance. The lyrics follow a woman who hits a patch of black ice and almost gets into a car accident. Once she is safe, she asks Jesus to take the wheel.
2. “All-American Girl” (2007): Carrie Underwood songs
This classic Underwood tune is the perfect addition to any playlist, but specifically your 4th of July tracks, given that this is titled, “All-American Girl.” The song shot up to the number one slot of the Hot Country chart.
The song was originally pitched to Underwood as being about a husband and wife who are expecting a baby, with the husband saying that he always wanted a boy, but ended up with a girl. She responded, “Great, sounds like my dad!”
1. “Before He Cheats” (2005)
Easily one of Underwood’s most recognizable songs, “Before He Cheats” was a major hit. It’s a cautionary tale about a woman getting revenge on her boyfriend for cheating — and it went on to win two Grammy awards, one for Best Female Country Vocal Performance and one for Best Country Song, awarded to the song’s writers (Josh Kear and Chris Tompkins).
“Before He Cheats” soared to number eight on the Hot 100 list and once again snagged the top spot on the Hot Country chart. Its stats, as well as its afterlife, has even surprised Underwood.
“I’m amazed at how much life the song has had. I feel like people know it, love it and sing along with it just as much now as they did when it was number one on the chart… It’s really cool that it’s stood the test of time.”
