Carrie Underwood-"I Told You So"

[killintime]

They were really great. When Randy Travis sings it looks like he's in pain, or else trying to pass a stone, but that's just part of who he is. I was afraid he would pop a neck vein if he went for the high notes, but luckily Carrie sang the chorus.
Again, great job.

[sbp17]

Just saw this performance on youtube. Very, very nice. I really enjoyed when their voices came together and Carrie harmonized.

[Ten Pound Hammer]

Mar 18, 2009 22:45:10 GMT -5 killintime said:

They were really great. When Randy Travis sings it looks like he's in pain, or else trying to pass a stone, but that's just part of who he is.

That's one thing I've never understood. His vocals are always so relaxed, and everyone I know says he has relaxed mannerisms in general, but every picture I see of him, he looks like he's in pain. Sammy Kershaw is the same way.

[David]

#100 on itunes! :) I hope it really blows up on itunes tomorrow.

[leilamaurizia]

Carrie Underwood and Randy Travis on Idol:



And I know we're not supposed to have consecutive iTunes updates but top 10 is a milestone. The ITYS duet is now #10 over-all. Number freakin' 10! Who woulda thunk a non-country-pop song would reach the top 10 across all genres?

[hoosy]

^ That is pretty amazing

[kw9461]

I agree, well done. I wish they would've let Randy handle more of the 2nd chorus, but most onlookers probably didn't even notice he was on stage, so...

However, it also reconfirmed the disdain that i have for Seacrest. I positively cannot stand that man.

[jenglisbe]

Mar 18, 2009 22:02:25 GMT -5 43dudleyvillas said:

Mar 18, 2009 21:55:54 GMT -5 Rated R said:

^Not to start anything but serious question, what ARE we supposed to discuss in these country threads if we're not allowed to discuss iTunes or mediabase positions?!

Daily updates on either are unnecessary to figure out how a song is trending. And the country chart operates predictably enough that even weekly updates aren't necessary unless it looks like a song is about to clear a certain threshold (top-40, top-30, top-20, top-15, top-10, top-5, or #1) -or- if a song looks like it might peak or suddenly gain some steam. Those are examples of noteworthy events. But a song moving from, say, #25 to #23 for the week while maintaining a consistent increase in audience doesn't usually rate a mention.

I get that some songs don't constantly need to be updated, especially if they're in the top 40, but for those of us who aren't subscribed to all access, we should be able to check the positions of songs we like that aren't in the top 40, such as Miley's The Climb.

Then, as I already mentioned in the Miley thread, check this thread, which rowdawg21 updates every day with Mediabase info -and- projections for Billboard/R&R. Daily updates simply clutter up threads needlessly and are usually not significant enough to warrant posting.

That didn't answer the question of what these threads are supposed to be about.

[43dudleyvillas]

Mar 19, 2009 9:10:23 GMT -5 jenglisbe said:

That didn't answer the question of what these threads are supposed to be about.

Sure it did, albeit partially:

Mar 18, 2009 22:02:25 GMT -5 43dudleyvillas said:

And the country chart operates predictably enough that even weekly updates aren't necessary unless it looks like a song is about to clear a certain threshold (top-40, top-30, top-20, top-15, top-10, top-5, or #1) -or- if a song looks like it might peak or suddenly gain some steam. Those are examples of noteworthy events.

In addition to discussion of how a song is trending on the charts (with respect to noteworthy thresholds), the threads are also meant for discussion of the single's musical merits and lack thereof. Sometimes, we'll tangent off into how the release of a single and/or its chart progress reflects on larger trends in the country music genre or what it might mean in the arc of an artist's career. What it is NOT for is one-liner cheerleading posts like this:

Mar 19, 2009 1:16:27 GMT -5 David said:

#100 on itunes! :) I hope it really blows up on itunes tomorrow.

[Blake]

"I Told You So" does not work as a duet in my opinion, and although I like Randy and Carrie separately, their voices seem like an awkward match. Still, Carrie's performance last night was much more nuanced, thoughtful and just plain better than the recorded version, where she sounds just a bit distant. I was kinda, sorta iffy on the single, but she sang it very, very well live, which leads me to think that the production of "I Told You So" is what keeps me from fully enjoying it.

[lyrichord]

^I think the arrangement on the recorded version is heavy and clunky, the instruments are way louder than need be, and Carrie kind of has to scream over it. Hence ITYS is one of my skip tracks on CR. For comparison, "You Won't Find This," uses similar instruments but is much lighter in touch, and I enjoy that track 1000X more. Randy's original arrangement is also more spare. Last night's performance was nice with Carrie's voice in the forefront, although I think it's a bit awkward onstage that Randy doesn't sing at all in the first two minutes.

[robrt30]

Mar 18, 2009 21:50:13 GMT -5 43dudleyvillas said:

I thought Carrie and Randy's performance of this on AI tonight was terrific, and am so glad they chose a relatively acoustic arrangement. Can someone with the ability to watch it back tell me if Ryan Seacrest ever identified this as a song that Randy wrote and sang originally? I might have missed it if Ryan did (and will be annoyed if Ryan didn't; I'm also pretty sure that this week's release of Randy's greatest hits set went unmentioned on AI, unfortunately).

I could've sworn Ryan did mention Randy's GH release, IIRC. I can't remember for sure if he mentioned that the song was originally recorded by Randy either, but I didn't think he did. I'll have to watch it back again tonight to make sure, though.

I thought it was very cool how Carrie was on the Idol stage with her Idol, Randy. She looked VERY happy! :) I thought this was one of her stronger performances, too. I liked this a lot.

[strikeleo]

Mar 19, 2009 6:56:33 GMT -5 leilamaurizia said:

Carrie Underwood and Randy Travis on Idol:



And I know we're not supposed to have consecutive iTunes updates but top 10 is a milestone. The ITYS duet is now #10 over-all. Number freakin' 10! Who woulda thunk a non-country-pop song would reach the top 10 across all genres?

to be honest, it was sang on AI, so, it's not really the song that is getting there, more like Carrie.

[43dudleyvillas]

Mar 19, 2009 10:06:09 GMT -5 Blake said:

"I Told You So" does not work as a duet in my opinion, and although I like Randy and Carrie separately, their voices seem like an awkward match. Still, Carrie's performance last night was much more nuanced, thoughtful and just plain better than the recorded version, where she sounds just a bit distant. I was kinda, sorta iffy on the single, but she sang it very, very well live, which leads me to think that the production of "I Told You So" is what keeps me from fully enjoying it.

The production of the ITYS studio recording has contributed to my preference for the live version, but I also think that a year of touring and living with the song has helped Carrie to refine her interpretation of the song. We've seen that happen with "I Know You Won't," as well.

I do agree that the duet was a bit awkward in that it was a mix of the artists staying true to the lyrics and appreciating being in each other's presence. But it still worked for me as a special moment.

Thanks, robrt30. I rewatched the interview/performance clip from last night and definitely didn't hear a mention of ITYS being a Randy original (nor of the release of Randy's hits set -- but maybe that happened on Tuesday). *sigh* It might have gotten cut -- I noticed at least one cut after the first question that Ryan Seacrest asked Carrie.

Mar 18, 2009 22:45:10 GMT -5 killintime said:

They were really great. When Randy Travis sings it looks like he's in pain, or else trying to pass a stone, but that's just part of who he is.

I meant to respond to this before...I don't think I watched a ton of Randy's early performances, but has he always seemed so clench-jawed when he sings? Because I'm wondering if this has anything to do with any work he might have had done on his teeth and whether that has changed the way he sings. I can't speak knowledgeably about this at all, though (and I don't want to derail this thread). Regardless, I felt that Randy's vocal and presence made last night's performance even more special, because he brought a lived-in, broken feel to the lyrics to complement Carrie's vulnerability.

I don't know how much is serendipity and how much was planned by Carrie's team, but I like the way the last couple of weeks have worked out. Carrie made a splash on iTunes via a hair metal cover, which put her in good position with the release the following week of a purer country duet/cover with a country legend in Randy Travis. Purer country songs don't have a history of faring well on iTunes, but I'm thinking the fact that Carrie was fresher in iTunes buyers' minds thanks to "Home Sweet Home" might have facilitated a bit more initial interest in the duet version of ITYS (hopefully, the wonderful live performance of it pushes downloads and interest even higher). And it's pretty cool that her audience (from AI and otherwise) is hearing a great song that happens to be purer country, and getting a taste of country music history in the process. It would be great to have another example that purer country is a commercial draw, too (and since this is the direction I'm hoping Carrie explores further, I'm really hoping ITYS does very well for her).

[David]

She did amazing on American Idol, and its great that this could be Top 10 on the Hot 100 next week! This has always been one of my favorites from the album. Its #7 & #62 on itunes, which could definitely put her into the Top 10. Atleast I hope anyways. I'm crossing my fingers.

[cufan7]

Mar 19, 2009 11:01:04 GMT -5 lyrichord said:

^I think the arrangement on the recorded version is heavy and clunky, the instruments are way louder than need be, and Carrie kind of has to scream over it. Hence ITYS is one of my skip tracks on CR. For comparison, "You Won't Find This," uses similar instruments but is much lighter in touch, and I enjoy that track 1000X more. Randy's original arrangement is also more spare. Last night's performance was nice with Carrie's voice in the forefront, although I think it's a bit awkward onstage that Randy doesn't sing at all in the first two minutes.

I thought it was gonna be awkward with him sitting there through the first verse and chorus but since he had his guitar it wasn't at all. I liked that the perfomrance was stripped down and really put vocals in the front.

"I Told You So" does not work as a duet in my opinion, and although I like Randy and Carrie separately, their voices seem like an awkward match. Still, Carrie's performance last night was much more nuanced, thoughtful and just plain better than the recorded version, where she sounds just a bit distant. I was kinda, sorta iffy on the single, but she sang it very, very well live, which leads me to think that the production of "I Told You So" is what keeps me from fully enjoying it.

I disagree completely. I think it works even better as a duet. It's kinda like gettin both sides of the relationship and also, I think their voices complemented each other more so than any other person/group Carrie has dueted with.

[joey2002]

yeah, the duet version only helps the song!!!

[Zazie]

I'm confused now. How does this being a duet give both sides of the relationship? One partner left the other and wants to return. That person is represented by the lyrics of both verses. They can't both have left each other.

Did they change the lyrics?

[tsharky]

I like it as a duet because you get the male and female perspectives of the same story. I think it worked. I just wish Randy had more singing time... because it felt like he was sort of an after thought. But perhaps that was intentional, as it is Carrie's single this time, and he is just doing a small role in the song this time around.

I think it was one of Carrie's best performances, vocally. Her voice has never sounded prettier.

[43dudleyvillas]

Mar 19, 2009 21:47:43 GMT -5 Zazie said:

I'm confused now. How does this being a duet give both sides of the relationship? One partner left the other and wants to return. That person is represented by the lyrics of both verses. They can't both have left each other.

Did they change the lyrics?

No, they didn't change the lyrics. But you just made me revisit the lyrics that Randy does sing in the duet version of ITYS, and I'm wondering if the reason Randy doesn't sing much of the song is that they were going for a dual perspective and too many of the lyrics can only be from the perspective of the one who left.

So with thanks to lyrichord, here is what Randy sings in the duet version of ITYS (live and recorded versions):

Mar 16, 2009 23:03:25 GMT -5 lyrichord said:

Approximate breakdown of the second half:

Randy:
If I got down on my knees and told you I was yours forever
Would you get down on yours too and take my hand?

R&C:
Would we get that old time feelin'?
Would we laugh and talk for hours?

Randy:
The way we did when our love first began?

Carrie:
Would you tell me that you've missed me too?
And that you've been so lonely
And you've waited for the day that I returned.

R&C:
And we'd live in love forever and that I'm your one and only
Or would you say the tables finally turned?

Carrie:
Would you say,"I told you so, oh I told you so
I told you some day you'd come crawling back and asking me to take you in
I told you so, but you had to go

R: Now I've found somebody new and you will

R&C: Never break my heart in two again.

R: Now I found somebody new (C: Now I found somebody new)

R: And you will never break my

R&C: heart in two again."

I suppose one could make the argument that when Randy is wondering what would happen if he got down on his knees and told her he was hers forever, it's because he is dreaming about whether she would change her mind if they met again and he professed his commitment to her.

One problem with that argument is that they both sing "Or would you say the tables finally turned?" when it really only makes sense for Carrie to be singing that line if she is the one who left. And if we're going for the dual perspective interpretation, then it's tough to square Randy singing "Now I've found somebody new..." at the end of the song with his wondering in the second verse what would happen if he asked her to marry him.

So...if Carrie and Randy were going for a dual perspective interpretation, I don't think it totally works with the lyrics. But I'm not really sure what drove their decisions as to who would sing what in the song. It isn't your typical 'trade verses and then sing harmonies on the chorus' duet (which is what I had initially expected). I'm guessing that Randy's (questionable) ability to deliver the higher notes live was a consideration in having Carrie sing the choruses (or most of them). But maybe the reason we don't hear Randy until the second verse is in an effort to wait for lyrics that could sensibly be delivered by another character. If that's the case, that would probably explain why Carrie picks up the second verse on "Would you tell me that you missed me, too?" and finishes out the verse.

[drock89]

I want to give my thoughts on this while I have time:

1. I really like the way Carrie changed her vocals. It really fits the song much better. Her harmony at the end of the song is a bit forced, but I think it's beautiful all the same.

2. I think Randy and Carrie sounds amazing together. His voice is very smooth while her's is very commanding. For me, it works out quite well. I would have liked to see his voice more on the chorus lines, but I think they wanted to leave the spotlight mostly on Carrie; if you look, the single says "featuring" and not "with," which leads me to believe that the label wants it to still be Carrie's song.

3. While I would have liked to see Carrie get to #1 on her own might, I am glad they recorded a studio version. I think, had it not been made already, after last night's phenomenal performance, one would have been made. Thank God this will replace the awful version some radio stations (mine included) were playing; the splicing of Travis' original plus Carrie's cover just totally demoralized the song. What an awful decision!

This will definitely be a classic in my collection, though it would have been before Travis was added in. Congratulations to Carrie for sharing the light with a true legend; she will be there some day and let's hope she learns, perhaps from Travis and others, how to carry the torch. God knows she has it burning hotter than it has in some time.

[robrt30]

Mar 20, 2009 0:01:23 GMT -5 drock89 said:

3. While I would have liked to see Carrie get to #1 on her own might, I am glad they recorded a studio version. I think, had it not been made already, after last night's phenomenal performance, one would have been made. Thank God this will replace the awful version some radio stations (mine included) were playing; the splicing of Travis' original plus Carrie's cover just totally demoralized the song. What an awful decision!

Is this the first week on the charts that the single says "Featuring Randy Travis?" I only look at Billboard/R&R every few weeks and I don't recall it saying "Featuring" until this week (or since the last time I looked at it).

If this is the first week it's been listed like that & the rule is that the version with more airplay is the version that gets listed, then that indicates the mash up version was already the version getting more airplay -- even before the studio duet version was released.

If anyone wants to hear the original version only (without the duet) on a regular basis, move to my neck of the woods. My local radio stations are painfully afraid to try any kind of change at all. We never hear Reba on Brooks & Dunn's song here (if it wasn't for the video I'd never hear that version) and I'm sure they'll be too afraid to spin the Randy version as well. That's too bad because I think the Carrie & Randy version makes the song even better.

[Zazie]

For robrt30: this is the first week the song's had a dual credit on Billboard.

I thank you for assigning the lyrics to each singer, dudley -- I haven't heard the duet version yet. Seems strained to attribute meaning to the assignments, though. (I imagine that since Carrie's the headliner, she got the first verse, and then they divided it up based on what would sound good.) This song seems to be about an extended and unrealistic fantasy -- "would you" do all these things that there's no chance you're really going to do -- which is why I can't believe in both people somehow having the same thoughts. It works for me (although this is never stated in the lyrics, I can make a case for this being right based on the level of hyperbole -- the singer is whipping herself into a frenzy by imagining more and more far-fetched "would yous.") to imagine that the chance of reciprocity of feelings is being greatly exaggerated by the singer. Thus, no realistic duet.

Edited because I've thought of something -- she's gotten herself so worked up by this fantasy that she's even hearing some of the sentences in his voice. So it's not his emotions, it's her projection. That justifies having both voices in place, and it's how she can even finish his sentences. Because she's the one who's writing his dialogue. OK, I'm happy now. But how does this tie in to the AIG bailout and the credit default swaps?

[Ten Pound Hammer]

Mar 20, 2009 10:31:02 GMT -5 Zazie said:

But how does this tie in to the AIG bailout and the credit default swaps?

Just when I think you've come up with the definitive Zazie Post™, you top yourself.

[jptexas]

Just a thought about why Randy really makes strange faces while singing. When I first heard him singing live on a tv show, I noticed he would go flat during his performances. I think someone told him he would have to adjust his vocals to hit the notes correctly. I'm assuming this is why we ended up with the facial expressions. It's kind of like Reba trying to stretch a note until she hits it. I hope that made sense.

[LordEctar]

I really like this song and I normally hate country.

I just thank the heavens that the album version does not have Randy Travis on it. I purchased the album version on iTunes after watching her on Idol. Her vocals were pretty good live and surprised me that she sounded much better than Kelly did the other week. I just can't have Randy Travis's "talk-sing" vocals ruining it.

[Zazie]

Mar 20, 2009 23:09:15 GMT -5 LordEctar said:

I really like this song and I normally hate country.

I just thank the heavens that the album version does not have Randy Travis on it. I purchased the album version on iTunes after watching her on Idol. Her vocals were pretty good live and surprised me that she sounded much better than Kelly did the other week. I just can't have Randy Travis's "talk-sing" vocals ruining it.

Thank you for posting your assessment of Randy Travis. I see so few opinions about country music from people who hate it, and I've been curious as to where Randy stands with that group. You might let us know what you think of Merle Haggard and Waylon Jennings at some point.

[sbp17]

Mar 20, 2009 23:18:27 GMT -5 Zazie said:

Thank you for posting your assessment of Randy Travis. I see so few opinions about country music from people who hate it, and I've been curious as to where Randy stands with that group. You might let us know what you think of Merle Haggard and Waylon Jennings at some point.

Yeah, I was going to respond in a somewhat similar fashion but, as per, Zazieisms are more effective.

[LordEctar]

One should be happy that Carrie Underwood is bridging people who dislike country to actually like songs from the genre now.

[neally]

Mar 21, 2009 10:00:55 GMT -5 LordEctar said:

One should be happy that Carrie Underwood is bridging people who dislike country to actually like songs from the genre now.

Carrie should be highly credited, along with Rascal Flatts and Taylor Swift, as the most recent artists that have brought audiences into the country genre (similar to Faith Hill and Shania nearly a decade ago).