Carrie Underwood - “I’m Gonna Love You” #1 All-Genre iTunes

[kluen]

I don't really think Carrie has interests in becoming a pop diva.
Her heart is in country.
I remember that she mentioned that she included a few pop songs on some hearts to please the people who helped her win IDOL because general population loves pop music more.
Some Hearts a product of compromise and it worked out perfectly with great songs even time is rushing.
Play On also is also a product of compromise but it lack stellar songs like BHC.

[popwizard]

I was looking at a few end-of-year lists for female artists, and it's crazy how Carrie was "eating the girls up," so to speak, before Cry Pretty. That album and the singles were a big misfire. Cry Pretty was jarring (it's great for live performances, but too dramatic for radio), and then they followed it up with Love Wins. They almost had to release Southbound for a surefire hit. My Gift/My Savior were great musically, then of course the feature, but after Cry Pretty underperformed, Denim & Rhinestones was not the right record. It doesn't really excel in any area. The saving grace of that era was the tour, and even Vegas (which is a great show). Country has always been hot and is still hot now; she needs to release a solid country-pop record. Out of That Track (the streaming numbers) shows to me that people are still interested in new music from her, as long as it's good.

I love the music she and David Garcia make together (particularly My Savior and Ghost Story), but I don't think that sound is translating into commercial success.

[zdm1998]

Hope she parts ways with David after D&R. There’s a reason he’s not producing anyone noteworthy in country outside of Carrie.

Pull Mark Bright out of retirement and for the love of everything in the world help her find her sound that made her Carrie Underwood again. I’ll even take Jay Joyce cause he produced her fabulously on the Storyteller tracks. Almost all of David’s productions sounds cheaply made on GarageBand, save My Savior.

[kath2833]

A few things. First, I think we’re forgetting that D&R was a pandemic response album. I appreciate that she wanted to put something fun, upbeat & catchy out after years of tension for the world. It’s okay that it was, for the most part, a non-serious album & I think it’s good for an artist to have those once in a while whether it’s a success or failure.

Second, I’d put the blame more so on Carrie than David about CP & D&R not performing to the success/positive fan reception of her previous albums. Carrie is the one choosing the singles. For CP, to me it looked like she chose the songs that meant something to her/she liked w/o taking into consideration how they’d connect with the public or how they’d impact the album & its success. She’s also the one getting the final say since these are her albums & they end up how she wants them to. To her & David’s credit though, they produced good tracks together on CP (ghosts on the stereo, spinning bottles, backsliding etc). My savior was a hit & won her a Grammy. D&R also showed how good they are together with the deluxe tracks, garden, she don’t know, faster etc. Even having fans compare the deluxe tracks favorably to her Arista work.

Third, as much as I loved the singles mark bright produced for her, there are songs he produced that I just didn’t like or thought were filler on each of her first 4 albums. We’re young & beautiful, the more boys I meet, songs like this, one way ticket to name a few. Though he & Greg wells did Carrie justice regarding Christmas songs.

[bornfearless2000]

D&R is a great album IMO. The reason why it flopped because :

01. The single choices were terrible. Had they gone with : Crazy Angels (1), Burn (2) Right before the album dropped, Pink Champange (3). It will be a different story.

02. The production were… meh… seriously, she needs to change producer. David Garcia cannot find a balance between Carrie’s vocal and the music.

03. Promotion! Her team needs to step up the game. Promotion was basically nonexistence during D&R era, even the debut week was pretty flat. All i can remember was a collection of her outfit party (cannot really remember what it was). And hate to say this but Carrie needs to give a little more F to next era …. She was more invested in My Gift era compared to D&R

[kath2833]

Do people just like to pretend that David completely produced 3 albums on his own & put so much of the failure on him? I’m not trying to be rude or defend him, but that’s what it keeps looking like to me. He never solely produced Carrie albums on his own like Mark. Which is why in my post before, I mentioned songs Mark produced that I didn’t like, but people just want to focus on what they don’t like about David more when Carrie is co-producing these albums with him. That’s another thing. Again, she is co-producing, picking singles, promoting, gets final say since these are her albums. David isn’t even doing one of these on his own. I love Carrie, but I feel like because it’s Carrie, people don’t want to blame her as much. To me, the reason she wasn’t as interested in promoting D&R is because it wasn’t something she was as invested in like the prior 3 passion/personal albums though I can see why she wanted it made. And since these are her albums, she must like the experimental sonic routes that CP & D&R took.

[popwizard]

I think she needs to find a balance between what she wants and what the public wants, similar to what Kath said. With that being said, she seems to have strong ties to songs about her faith for obvious reasons. With that said, "Love Wins" is a perfect example of her not getting it right, while "Something in the Water" and "Jesus, Take the Wheel" are perfect examples of her and her team getting it right. "Cry Pretty," I'll give her a pass on that as a single, because it's now a signature performance song.

With that said, "Cry Pretty" still, I think, was the #2 best-selling debut week for a female that year. "My Savior," even as a side project, ranked pretty high with its debut week for females. She just needs to get the next album right.

[jenglisbe]

May 5, 2024 21:04:12 GMT -5 Deleted said:

It’s a shame though since BHC was the catalyst for country being viable as crossover hits again. Were there any of those at all between 2002 and BHC? Then after BHC, you had Taylor cross over and several other notable ones up until 2011-12 or so. BHC was definitely the start of it though, and Carrie could have had more for sure if they tried (though less certain about the CR songs). I didn’t know she was against it?

I don't think it's quite that clear.
2003 had The Chicks go top 15 at Top 40 radio with "Landslide." It depends how you define "Picture" by Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow, but that same year it at least got airplay at both Country and Top 40 radio.
Tim McGraw's "Live Like You Were Dying" and Keith Urban's "You'll Think of Me" were big country hits and both went top 40 at Top 40 in 2004 while also going top 5 at AC radio.
"Over and Over" didn't get country play in 2005, but it did keep the idea of country crossover in minds as it was a country artist getting big crossover play.
In 2006 Rascal Flatt's "What Hurts the Most" peaked at #22 on Top 40 and hit #1 at AC radio. Didn't their version of "Life is a Highway" get crossover play as well?
Bon Jovi and Jennifer Nettles charted at Top 40 and Country radio with "Who Says You Can't Go Home," which also went top 10 at AC.

[Typo]

Love this. 🤠

[zdm1998]

May 12, 2024 10:21:16 GMT -5 kath2833 said:

Do people just like to pretend that David completely produced 3 albums on his own & put so much of the failure on him? I’m not trying to be rude or defend him, but that’s what it keeps looking like to me. He never solely produced Carrie albums on his own like Mark. Which is why in my post before, I mentioned songs Mark produced that I didn’t like, but people just want to focus on what they don’t like about David more when Carrie is co-producing these albums with him. That’s another thing. Again, she is co-producing, picking singles, promoting, gets final say since these are her albums. David isn’t even doing one of these on his own. I love Carrie, but I feel like because it’s Carrie, people don’t want to blame her as much. To me, the reason she wasn’t as interested in promoting D&R is because it wasn’t something she was as invested in like the prior 3 passion/personal albums though I can see why she wanted it made. And since these are her albums, she must like the experimental sonic routes that CP & D&R took.

Carrie is a co productor per say, but she is very new to it. I'm sure she contributes some, but David is more so the producer, who has produced other artists. I remember her saying something talking about the title track on D&R that the beat was something David had already had worked on. I wouldn't be surprised if that was a common instance for most songs on the album.

I very much agree though. Carrie dropped the ball very much this era. Promo wise, single wise, it all was a hot mess. The only saving grace of this era was the tour (which was too short.)

[dwmusiccollector]

The Problem are Not her Albums or Singles. She is lazy in promoting them. And she Takes too much time to Tour and make New music. Miranda will probably Release another Album This year while Carrie Takes Forever to release New music.

[austin]

May 10, 2024 10:34:51 GMT -5 zdm1998 said:

Hope she parts ways with David after D&R. There’s a reason he’s not producing anyone noteworthy in country outside of Carrie.

Pull Mark Bright out of retirement and for the love of everything in the world help her find her sound that made her Carrie Underwood again. I’ll even take Jay Joyce cause he produced her fabulously on the Storyteller tracks. Almost all of David’s productions sounds cheaply made on GarageBand, save My Savior.

I agree with so much of this but I randomly listened to most of Storyteller last night and was thinking "wow I would love to hear Carrie make an album that sounds more like this". Chaser, Choctaw, Dirty Laundry...they all still sound so good!

[tigerman2022]

May 22, 2024 11:38:20 GMT -5 austin said:

May 10, 2024 10:34:51 GMT -5 zdm1998 said:

Hope she parts ways with David after D&R. There’s a reason he’s not producing anyone noteworthy in country outside of Carrie.

Pull Mark Bright out of retirement and for the love of everything in the world help her find her sound that made her Carrie Underwood again. I’ll even take Jay Joyce cause he produced her fabulously on the Storyteller tracks. Almost all of David’s productions sounds cheaply made on GarageBand, save My Savior.

I agree with so much of this but I randomly listened to most of Storyteller last night and was thinking "wow I would love to hear Carrie make an album that sounds more like this". Chaser, Choctaw, Dirty Laundry...they all still sound so good!

I completely agree with the Jay Joyce tracks on Storyteller. I love all of them. With the exception of "Church Bells," which has unquestionably become one of Carrie's signature songs, Joyce-produced tracks were my favorites. I know I'm probably in the minority, but I still absolutely love the production on "Smoke Break" and "Like I'll Never Love You Again" was one of those missed opportunities for Carrie to do a truly great love song. 

[zdm1998]

On a completely different note. I truly wonder if Carrie becomes a judge on American Idol next season. With Katy leaving there was already a big question who would fill the role, and with next season being the 20 year anniversary of her win, I could totally see Carrie doing it.

I don’t know if I necessarily want her to per say, but I could definitely see it happening given her 20 year anniversary as well as them looking for a new judge anyway.

[musicfan134]

May 22, 2024 20:06:37 GMT -5 zdm1998 said:

On a completely different note. I truly wonder if Carrie becomes a judge on American Idol next season. With Katy leaving there was already a big question who would fill the role, and with next season being the 20 year anniversary of her win, I could totally see Carrie doing it.

I don’t know if I necessarily want her to per say, but I could definitely see it happening given her 20 year anniversary as well as them looking for a new judge anyway.

I feel like we discuss this every few months and while we obviously don't know yet, and anything is possible, I still don't see how likely this is.

Carrie doesn't strike me as the kind of person who would feel comfortable giving constructive feedback to others who are trying to pursue their dreams, so I don't think she'd be a very good judge. I would compare her to Paula Abdul but even Paula knew how to "let someone down easy" so to speak. I feel like Carrie wouldn't know how to do that, having been in their shoes lol. So I think she would struggle with the auditions if nothing else. Importantly, I'm not saying she *couldn't* do it, I'm saying I don't think she would feel like she could. Once she encountered a few duds though I think she'd figure out her niche.

I could maybe see her doing it for 1-2 of the live shows though. That's a different beast because anyone who makes it to the live shows has at least some degree of talent in music and singing, at least in theory.

The other thing is, as we've discussed she's far too busy focusing on her garden to worry about her music career. Obviously kidding, but if she were to do Idol, keep in mind that she probably would choose to delay new music until the end of the season at the earliest, and I doubt she would immediately release new music once Idol ends. So new music could be on hold for a long while if she goes down this path.

Now, honestly? I'd love for her to do it! I think it would be a great way for her to get back into the limelight of the "general public" and I think she would do well on it. And I know the show would love to have her. I'm just not sure it's a priority for her at the moment. I also would only want her to do it for one season, maybe two. I need new music from her sooner than 2030. Lol

[tigerman2022]

May 22, 2024 20:24:50 GMT -5 musicfan134 said:

May 22, 2024 20:06:37 GMT -5 zdm1998 said:

On a completely different note. I truly wonder if Carrie becomes a judge on American Idol next season. With Katy leaving there was already a big question who would fill the role, and with next season being the 20 year anniversary of her win, I could totally see Carrie doing it.

I don’t know if I necessarily want her to per say, but I could definitely see it happening given her 20 year anniversary as well as them looking for a new judge anyway.

I feel like we discuss this every few months and while we obviously don't know yet, and anything is possible, I still don't see how likely this is.

Carrie doesn't strike me as the kind of person who would feel comfortable giving constructive feedback to others who are trying to pursue their dreams, so I don't think she'd be a very good judge. I would compare her to Paula Abdul but even Paula knew how to "let someone down easy" so to speak. I feel like Carrie wouldn't know how to do that, having been in their shoes lol. So I think she would struggle with the auditions if nothing else. Importantly, I'm not saying she *couldn't* do it, I'm saying I don't think she would feel like she could. Once she encountered a few duds though I think she'd figure out her niche.

I could maybe see her doing it for 1-2 of the live shows though. That's a different beast because anyone who makes it to the live shows has at least some degree of talent in music and singing, at least in theory.

The other thing is, as we've discussed she's far too busy focusing on her garden to worry about her music career. Obviously kidding, but if she were to do Idol, keep in mind that she probably would choose to delay new music until the end of the season at the earliest, and I doubt she would immediately release new music once Idol ends. So new music could be on hold for a long while if she goes down this path.

Now, honestly? I'd love for her to do it! I think it would be a great way for her to get back into the limelight of the "general public" and I think she would do well on it. And I know the show would love to have her. I'm just not sure it's a priority for her at the moment. I also would only want her to do it for one season, maybe two. I need new music from her sooner than 2030. Lol

The reality is that judges on American Idol and the Voice don't really offer much constructive criticism at all anymore. Nothing like the days when Carrie was on Idol and judged by Simon, Paula and Randy. So, she could do it and not really be that critical at all. She says she doesn't like to judge, so to me that shows that she knows that a judge needs to offer constructive guidance and not just rubber stamp a performance as great. Because she feels like that is how a judge needs to be, but doesn't think she could do that, I don't think she would do it. Hope that makes sense. 

[abbeyjones11]

I can only see Carrie being a mentor again. Not that I don't think she wouldn't be a good judge, but, I just think that it wouldn't be a priority at this moment. Being the mentor and having another "Carrie Week" would be decent promo, imo. I also think it wouldn't be as time consuming.

[zdm1998]

While I don’t really think she’ll do it. The reason I bring it up was since Katy is leaving and they’ll be looking for a new female judge, as well as next season being Carrie’s 20th anniversary of her Idol win. Both of those made me think Carrie would be perfect for the job. Even if just for one special season and her go into her next era at the Idol finale.

I do think this is a lot of wishful thinking, and probably something she’d have done if she had more motivation than she’s had in recent years, but man, that would be such a smart move to get her visible again and remind America why they love her.

I look at all Idol did for Katy Perry. Coming off of her flop Witness era, and helped her rebrand in front of the public and make her forthcoming project super anticipated. I’d love the same to happen for Carrie.

[taylor is terrified]

I need one of us to plant a worm in her brain telling her to do all this, lmao. Or just have one of us join her team as her A&R, because being a judge on Idol even just for her 20th anniversary season would be one of the smartest moves in her career.

Picture it: she finishes the Vegas residency (hopefully for good), joins Idol as a judge wherein her 20th anniversary is celebrated, capitalizes on that exposure with the release of the Cody duet (if it’s actually ever happening) and has it pop off like IIDLY did and regains her momentum, drops the CU10 lead and starts the era fall of 2025 right as SNF is coming back (meaning the football boys will have her attention again), and releases CU10 on Friday, November 15, 2025 right as Some Hearts turns 20 years old. She then goes on the Today Show or GMA to celebrate BOTH her debut and her newest album, keeping with the theme of Reflection as she looks back on her past and looks ahead to her future. The windows of opportunity are wide open here in this next year.

[carrieidol1]

I’d be SHOCKED if Carrie went back to Idol in a permanent capacity. Although it would be more exposure overall, Idol is hardly a promo juggernaut. There was a time when an Idol performance slot could launch a song/single into the Top 10 on the Hot 100. Now a song is lucky to move one spot after an Idol slot.

I wouldn’t mind a guest appearance for a “Carrie week”, but a judging role on the show feels like a step backwards. Whereas on The Voice the judges are actually coaches - who are also competing. In other words, the Idol judges are pointless, they don’t help the artists and they don’t critique/coach them. If Carrie is going to take on a role where she’s “judging” people, I have to believe she’d prefer the option that includes friendly competition and coaching.

Nevertheless, none of this will likely happen, and if it does it’ll be too late. Both shows are stagnant, if not sliding in ratings, and both brands are old. Not to say I wouldn’t be thrilled if she joined The Voice, but I honestly think she’s been approached before about the gig, and clearly if that happened she said “no”.

I also get the vibe that Carrie is opting to be less mainstream. Even when she does appear on TV, appearances are few and far between, and since the pandemic sometimes literally phoned in / pre-recorded. If fans are waiting for Carrie to take over the industry with a smash album era, Carrie will need to want that first, and right now my impression is that her objective is to ride the wave her career has made as is, instead of making a bigger wave.

I’d love for Carrie to smash through with a killer “comeback” but putting my realistic cap on for a second, our girl just bought a family of sheep and seems to spend most of her free time in her garden and on the farm. Great for her! But it doesn’t exactly paint the picture of an artist thirsty for a “comeback”.

[schnetzka]

I've mentioned it before but sometimes I get the feeling that Carrie is settling into a territory where music is not her main priority anymore. She constantly posts about her garden and hasn't put too much effort in the 'Denim & Rhinestones' era. I hate to say it and I don't want it to happen anytime soon, but I could definitely see her releasing less and less music over time and eventually reach a point where it'll just stop coming out. I feel she is too young for that, but there are artists younger than her who have already bowed out of the spotlight. She just doesn't seem to have the passion she used to.

[dbhmr]

May 23, 2024 5:46:25 GMT -5 zdm1998 said:

I look at all Idol did for Katy Perry.

...which is what?

[zdm1998]

May 23, 2024 14:22:07 GMT -5 dbhmr said:

May 23, 2024 5:46:25 GMT -5 zdm1998 said:

I look at all Idol did for Katy Perry.

...which is what?

Reconnected her with America after being a walking meme during her flop era. To where there is now anticipation for her return to music on Tik Tok that is pretty viral atm. Now if it actually shows up for her next album we will have to see, but it definitely feels like there is a larger audience waiting for her comeback. Compared to 2017-2020ish where all I saw was mocking for the most part.

[musicfan134]

May 23, 2024 14:17:40 GMT -5 schnetzka said:

I've mentioned it before but sometimes I get the feeling that Carrie is settling into a territory where music is not her main priority anymore. She constantly posts about her garden and hasn't put too much effort in the 'Denim & Rhinestones' era. I hate to say it and I don't want it to happen anytime soon, but I could definitely see her releasing less and less music over time and eventually reach a point where it'll just stop coming out. I feel she is too young for that, but there are artists younger than her who have already bowed out of the spotlight. She just doesn't seem to have the passion she used to.

A while back I mentioned (half jokingly) that Carrie might be heading towards retirement and members here went off on me about it, thinking she's way too young and that would never happen. And yet...idk. I was only half kidding at the time and well. It's still being brought up as a possibility here and there.

[daddy]

May 23, 2024 17:51:47 GMT -5 musicfan134 said:

May 23, 2024 14:17:40 GMT -5 schnetzka said:

I've mentioned it before but sometimes I get the feeling that Carrie is settling into a territory where music is not her main priority anymore. She constantly posts about her garden and hasn't put too much effort in the 'Denim & Rhinestones' era. I hate to say it and I don't want it to happen anytime soon, but I could definitely see her releasing less and less music over time and eventually reach a point where it'll just stop coming out. I feel she is too young for that, but there are artists younger than her who have already bowed out of the spotlight. She just doesn't seem to have the passion she used to.

A while back I mentioned (half jokingly) that Carrie might be heading towards retirement and members here went off on me about it, thinking she's way too young and that would never happen. And yet...idk. I was only half kidding at the time and well. It's still being brought up as a possibility here and there.

I'm sure she's just putting her kids first and wanting to
be there for them as much as she can during the years as they grow up. All her hard work in her career has given her that opportunity.

As a fan, it’s not ideal, but I understand entirely.

Selfishly, I hope they cap it at 2 (feel like they've both openly discussed adoption in the past)and that once the boys have busy schedules, she focuses more on her music.

I doubt she cares so much about charts/awards at this point. She's achieved so much already. I just hope she puts her all into the music she does deliver and gives us plenty of creative ways to experience future album eras.

[musicfan134]

Don't misunderstand me, I don't blame her in the slightest for wanting to spend more time with her kids/family. Tbh if I were her I would take my money and RUN.

I could see her at some point pulling a Shania Twain/Faith Hill type of deal tbh. That's all I'm saying.

[schnetzka]

May 23, 2024 18:35:44 GMT -5 daddy said:

May 23, 2024 17:51:47 GMT -5 musicfan134 said:

A while back I mentioned (half jokingly) that Carrie might be heading towards retirement and members here went off on me about it, thinking she's way too young and that would never happen. And yet...idk. I was only half kidding at the time and well. It's still being brought up as a possibility here and there.

I'm sure she's just putting her kids first and wanting to
be there for them as much as she can during the years as they grow up. All her hard work in her career has given her that opportunity.

As a fan, it’s not ideal, but I understand entirely.

Selfishly, I hope they cap it at 2 (feel like they've both openly discussed adoption in the past)and that once the boys have busy schedules, she focuses more on her music.

I doubt she cares so much about charts/awards at this point. She's achieved so much already. I just hope she puts her all into the music she does deliver and gives us plenty of creative ways to experience future album eras.

That's what I figured Faith Hill was doing (putting her kids first and being there for them) but then they grew up and here we are, still almost 20 years without a solo Faith album lol.

I know Greatest Hits albums aren't really a thing anymore but for completion sake, I wouldn't mind a Decade #2 from Carrie. Especially if she doesn't want to do a full era right now.

[daddy]

May 23, 2024 18:42:13 GMT -5 musicfan134 said:

Don't misunderstand me, I don't blame her in the slightest for wanting to spend more time with her kids/family. Tbh if I were her I would take my money and RUN.

I could see her at some point pulling a Shania Twain/Faith Hill type of deal tbh. That's all I'm saying.

I wasn’t misunderstanding you : )

Hopefully the fact that Faith’s husband is Tim McGraw made her want to dedicate her time to her kids, as he was even more booked than she was. Mike should have much more time on his hands to give Carrie a flexible schedule.

Shania experienced issues with her voice if I recall correctly? Unsure if that was the primary cause of her long break. If it was a contributing factor, Carrie’s voice sounds healthy to me.

[schnetzka]

May 23, 2024 19:33:51 GMT -5 daddy said:

May 23, 2024 18:42:13 GMT -5 musicfan134 said:

Don't misunderstand me, I don't blame her in the slightest for wanting to spend more time with her kids/family. Tbh if I were her I would take my money and RUN.

I could see her at some point pulling a Shania Twain/Faith Hill type of deal tbh. That's all I'm saying.

Shania experienced issues with her voice if I recall correctly? Unsure if that was the primary cause of her long break. If it was a contributing factor, Carrie’s voice sounds healthy to me.

You are correct! Shania started experiencing vocal issues after contacting Lyme's Disease toward the end of the Up! Tour in 2004. She said in her Why Not? documentary series that it took like 7 years for her doctors to discover what was going on. And then it took a long time after that for rehabilitation. Thankfully, Carrie has not had that issue.

[carrieidol1]

On this day NINETEEN years ago Carrie won American Idol! Happy 19th to Carrie’s career, what a ride it’s been!