Review – Carrie Underwood’s “Something In The Water”
And then there were two. This is the assessment most country music power brokers were forced to swallow when Taylor Swift made it clear she’d be moving on in her career without country, leaving only Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood as proven country music females who could actually release singles and have them be heard on the radio. And then Carrie Underwood recently announced that she’s with child. Though this isn’t a guaranteed nail in the coffin of a high flying country career by any stretch, it certainly bisects any plans she might have with a maternity leave, and many times this is proceeded by successful women in entertainment with a re-assessment of priorities more towards family, which is natural and healthy. It’s not up to Carrie Underwood or Miranda Lambert to carry the female torch in country music forever, it’s up to the industry to solve this riddle of why they can’t develop female talent to help them.
On Friday (9-26), Carrie Underwood made an appearance on the TODAY Show to make a big announcement. You had to be pretty dim to not know that a new album would be involved in the appearance in some capacity, but it was somewhat surprising to hear that it would be a Greatest Hits package instead of an album of completely new music. Carrie has only released four records since 2005, and her last album Blown Away was released well over two years ago. And with a little bundle of joy on the way and Greatest Hits: Decade #1 not hitting shelves until December 9th, this stretches out the calendar even more before a new original album from Underwood may arrive.
However Carrie also said as part of the announcement that some new music would be part of the Greatest Hits album, and on Monday (9-29) she released a brand new single called “Something In The Water.”
A wide, sweeping undertaking, “Something In The Water” sees Carrie Underwood carve out the sweet spot for her voice and make an inspiring and faith-based composition the vessel to illustrate the mighty ferocity of her God-given vocal prowess, along with instilling the moments with an elegance and grace that in unison swell to achieve one awe-inspiring performance height.
“Something In The Water” is purely pop country from a stylistic standpoint, but draws heavily from country’s Gospel roots and the ritual of river baptisms to create the compelling narrative at the song’s heart. Though the “something in the water” colloquialism is not wholly unique in this context, the content is nonetheless refreshing in the way it disregards all concern for trends or tropes and instead shows confidence in Carrie’s voice to carry a tune to the top levels of widespread appeal. Resolving with the verses of “Amazing Grace” intermixed with the song’s melody, “Something In The Water” traces a lineage directly back to the very primitive beginnings of country music, intertwining old roots among the song’s otherwise pristine and nouveau passages.
Carrie’s voice is so soaring and strong in this moment, it will comes across as polarizing to some ears, especially to those not used to such bold expressions as this in country music. That is one of the problems for country in 2014: with such a lack of raw talent and the vehicles to express it, when somebody does do something bold, it comes across as an oddity, as too much to take in, almost like it is a pompous attempt to overtly impress instead of sincere expression. In the pop world, this type of exhibition of talent isn’t just common, it is necessary. Pop and R&B can field an army of sensational singers, whereas country commonly leans on the services of Auto-Tune and talk-style phrasing to make up for a lack of natural aptitude. Carrie Underwood once again proves she’s one of the strongest singers of this generation.
“Something In The Water” will also be jeered as pure pop by many, but even with this assessment it still puts it in front of the garbled, directionless multi-genre hodgepodge presented by many of the genre’s top male stars. This is the true “anti Bro-Country” salvo country music has been lacking—one that doesn’t write its plan as the exact opposite of the scribblings in Bro-Country’s playbook, but one that blows the entire argument out of the water. Call it pop if you want, but the delineation the song truly strives for is “timeless.”
It is fair though to to assess that “Something In The Water” may be a little too perfect, a little too esoteric. It’s too much Celine Dion and not enough Oklahoma, while others will question if this rather unapologetic foray into non-secular material should, or can be valued with high regard in the commercial world. But true, openhearted fans of music will find the sway of “Something In The Water” hard to resist, and it should fare positively on country radio which is thirsty for female voices, and Carrie Underwood’s specifically.
Very, very powerful.
1 3/4 of 2 Guns Up.
JC Eldredge
September 30, 2014 @ 9:26 am
I like it. It’s nice to hear a song that isn’t about drinking, sex or trucks. Carrie has a beautiful voice most of the time, she can get a little “screamy”, but this song is really moving.
dodo
October 1, 2014 @ 4:59 am
exactly, country nowadays about drunk, sex and truck only. Thank God for Carrie!
Charlotte
November 19, 2014 @ 5:05 pm
Artist : Brooke Fraser.
Song : Something In The Water.
Album : Flags.
Check out this hot new song titled “Something In The Water” by award-winning New Zealand pop singer-songwriter, Brooke Fraser. It is the lead single from her third studio album, ‘Flags’ expected to be released on October 12th, 2010. The song was released by Sony Music Entertainment on 2 August 2010 and was number 1 on NZ iTunes on August 5th.
…
See More
GregN
September 30, 2014 @ 9:33 am
I know her name is poison around here, but Jennifer Nettles could’ve sung that as well. It would’ve fit perfectly on her solo album “That Girl”.
Nice song, thanks.
Jonny
September 30, 2014 @ 10:19 am
I’m not religious, and often find non-secular songs quite difficult to relate to, but I do really like this. The song builds fabulously, and, as you mentioned, the intertwining of ‘Amazing Grace’ in the final chorus is both apt and very nicely done.
This is pop-country done properly. FGL, take note.
scott
September 30, 2014 @ 10:23 am
I’m not exactly a part of Carrie’s fan base, although I did have her version of How Great Thou Art played at my wife’s funeral. That said, this is a pretty good song. Refreshing, too.
Gena R.
September 30, 2014 @ 10:35 am
Beautiful. There’s a real joy to both the music and Carrie’s performance that feels earned.
BwareDWare94
September 30, 2014 @ 11:03 am
I applaud Underwood and the other songwriters for creating a song that isn’t preachy when our society is moving away from religion, which whether we Christians/former Christians (not sure what I fall into, currently) want to admit it or not, is a result of younger generations growing up and then going to college and becoming educated in ways that are vital to the growth of our society (understanding that science, while not perfect because nothing and no one can know everything, doesn’t just say things for the hell of it, for one). I also believe that college campuses are perfect environments for us citizens from smaller communities to go and learn more about other races, sexual orientations, political beliefs, etc. Nevertheless, while there are problems galore in our higher education system (piss poor professors all over the place, tuition that’s too expensive, testing systems that teach students to memorize and not retain), the environment itself is very educational, and vital to a young adult’s growth as a person.
Anyway, the point I’m trying to make is that I don’t want to hear any more preachy bullshit in my country music (unless it can be done tactfully, ie songs like “Long Black Train”), and that this song is a wonderful progression that other artists and writers hopefully latch on to and build upon, moving forward.
Eric
September 30, 2014 @ 8:43 pm
I do not think that the decline of religion is entirely (or even mostly) about college. High school students today, for example, are far more nonreligious than those 50 years ago. People in their thirties who have never gone to college today are less religious than college graduates 50 years ago.
The reality is that traditions decline naturally over time, unless the traditions are grounded in deeper universal truths (such as natural rights or logical reasoning).
BwareDWare94
October 1, 2014 @ 6:49 am
How about this? Critical Thinking Skills are more common, these days.
Durango
November 2, 2014 @ 1:54 pm
It is more than a little ignorant and quite arrogant to posit that we think more critically than those who have come before us. Actually, the opposite is demonstrably true. There is precious little deep thinking these days, as we now prefer to be info-tained by a constant bombardment of “packaged thoughts” – all telling us what we believe.
Hawkeye
January 26, 2015 @ 3:55 pm
Um last time I heard Evangelical Christianity was on the rise
Clint
October 1, 2014 @ 4:07 pm
Do you think you’ll ever quit propagating your atheist, left-wing bullshit on here? It sounds just as preachy, only from the opposite viewpoint.
Trigger
October 1, 2014 @ 4:48 pm
Clint, please don’t talk to my other readers like this. Let’s all please try to stick to the topic, which is Carrie Underwood’s song. You don’t like it? By all means, please express your opinion. But please try to respect other people’s opinions as well.
Clint
October 1, 2014 @ 4:51 pm
🙁
BwareDWare94
October 1, 2014 @ 10:22 pm
By all means, disagree with me. At the same time, part of my post was applauding the way we’re accepting other races and sexual orientations much more openly now, and that part of that is not feeling the pressure of religion’s supposedly moral ideals. There is no circumstance under which accepting people more openly is a bad thing. None, whatsoever.
Atheist? Not so much. I attend Catholic Mass most Sundays, but long ago decided that I could no longer continue to be religious without openly discussing my disagreements with the faith. If I speak my mind with other Catholics, most understand my point of view. I’m going to have my disagreements, and I’m going to be open about them. Strangely enough, that’s made me feel closer to God than ever before.
Toby in AK
October 2, 2014 @ 12:56 pm
I hesitate to get into a political debate on a website about country music, but I’m going to anyways.
The higher education system in the US has come under serious and legitimate criticism for suppressing free speech and diversity of ideas. I agree with you that tolerance of difference of religions, cultures, and yes sexual orientation is a noble concept I have to agree with Clint that the left-leaning stranglehold on education can be as dogmatic and repressive as religion can be. I’d like to highlight the word tolerance, which doesn’t mean you can’t hold an opinion on those religions, cultures, etc. but rather that you can’t prevent them from assembling, practicing their customs, etc.
Religion also, whatever it’s faults, has been shown to strengthen relationships, be good for your health, and add purpose to people’s lives. These are benefits that science can and has quantified. Science vs. religion is a false dichotomy constructed by fanatics of either side.
Jake
October 9, 2014 @ 3:02 pm
Serious and legitimate? I doubt that and you can’t throw that out there without anything to back it up. Might as well say all teachers are money grubbing leaches and murderers. Watch TV and listen to the radio and it becomes apparent conservatism is synonymous with anti-intellectualism.
Lisa
November 23, 2014 @ 3:40 pm
I’m pretty sure drawing a conclusion by “watching tv and listening to the radio” is the definition of being anti-intellectual. Give independent thought a try. You might like it.
NashGirl
September 30, 2014 @ 12:02 pm
It’s a great song and shows off her powerful vocal ability. She can really sing! She really has the best voice of any women in country, IMO. The range and power in her voice are just unmatched. And to the person who said Jennifer Nettles could have done this song – sorry, but no way. She doesn’t have the range. Carrie’s ability to hit those notes in a strong way is a part of what makes this song so powerful.
Karen
September 30, 2014 @ 12:13 pm
I really try to like her but it’s too forced and driven, as always. Her voice never mellows, it’s all belting. Puts me on edge instead of inspiring or relaxing me. 🙁 Sorry, don’t sling arrows.
Albert
October 1, 2014 @ 12:12 am
Amen …my sentiments exactly , Karen . ( see my comments below )
Karen
October 1, 2014 @ 5:18 am
Albert,
It baffles me how so many wouldn’t recognize a melodious country song if it hit them going 90 mph. Far too much out of Nashvegas these days is nothing more than monk chanting with some instrumental tracks behind them with Singtrix hooked up for some layering and tuning. (And the videos, lest we forget the videos). We are supposed to like C. Underwood because American Idol told us she was “country” and then Nashville successfully developed her looks and legs and told us “here’s the best.” Then guys like Vince Gill and Randy Travis sing with her to boost their popularity or whatever and she gets lauded some more. I won’t even go into The Sound of Music. She needs to listen to some Eva Cassidy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRoBiHzkXrI to learn how to sing melodiously and maybe Mary Chapin Carpenter for song development and Willie could teach her a thing or two about a pleasing melody and comfortable range.
Karen
October 1, 2014 @ 5:26 am
Correction: Monks DO sound very melodious and layered, they just get tedious after a while.
Clint
October 1, 2014 @ 5:50 am
Right on the money Karen.
dodo
October 1, 2014 @ 5:04 am
you don’t have to like her you know, just hear her song if you still can, many of them are inspirational. You don’t need to like her. It’s not like she will be singing in soft voice and not belting to her extent, because that’s who she is. That is Carrie, a beautiful country singer with an outstanding vocal
Filler
September 30, 2014 @ 12:29 pm
Nice review. But Carrie Underwood should be moving to pop after she’s having a baby next year. Why can’t Carrie Underwood makes pop music? I’m tired of Carrie Underwood making music only have country. Carrie Underwood should’ve been great with crossover so she can appeal her music for pop. But no, Sony and country is screwing up Carrie Underwood since 2007. Why pop doesn’t play Carrie Underwood like Two Black Cadillacs? I want Carrie Underwood on pop. Anyway, Carrie Underwood needs emotional pop music after her first chile next year. Carrie Underwood needs to make emotional pop music really badly and Sony needs to drop her and have her moved to Univseral’s Interscope.
Chris
September 30, 2014 @ 12:42 pm
99% of whats being played on country radio is not western music. Most of the past 40+ years has been like that. Nashville cannot cash in on western music that 99% are not singing. Not one song from Carrie has ever been released to pop radio. Yet Faith, Martina, The Band Perry, Lady A & the Taylor get boat loads of pop air play. Carrie’s BHC sometimes gets played. Welcome to the new country. Buddy Holly & Metallica both are labeled rock, but sound 1000% the opposite.
Filler
September 30, 2014 @ 2:08 pm
Actually, MTV Hits do play a Two Cadillacs music video and an All-American Girl music video under Gone Country. So I don’t think Before He Cheats is the only one to have a crossover. Cowboy Cassanova and Good Girl had crossovers too while Two Cadillacs’s music video and All-American Girl’s music video were shown on MTV Hits. All Taylor Swift’s music videos were pop on Vevo. So all but Shake It Off were classified Country, Pop and Country Pop on Vevo. All Carrie Underwood music videos should’ve categorized Country, Pop and Country Pop too on Vevo.
dodo
October 1, 2014 @ 5:07 am
I don’t think she is being screwed by record company or anyone else. She, herself, said that she will not go to pop music, she will always be a country singer
BwareDWare94
October 1, 2014 @ 12:05 pm
If she can claim to be something she isn’t, then I’m an astronaut.
I don’t mind her music, but it’s not even remotely country. It’s pop music with the disguise of random moments of banjo/mandolin/etc. Think about how good some of Carrie’s songs would be if they had more country influence. Take, for instance, “See You Again.” Instead of the pointless “Oh OH OHHHH Oh oh oh” harmony they did with vocals, they could have substituted steel guitar and made it much more powerful. Instead of a silly vocal gimmick, they could have used a real instrument. That pissed me off.
The whole Oh oh oh thing is no better the stupid na-na-na bullshit that’s been done for years.
dodo
October 1, 2014 @ 12:19 pm
I’m sorry. I will not respond again to you. I think you’re just a troll, saying and commenting hate response to something you don’t like or something which is not the same with your opinion. You don’t like the instrument, you said they can use real instrument instrument instead of vocal gimmick. So, you don’t like the instrumentation and suddenly tere’s a vocal gimmick?
You know haters gonna hate. She will always be this successful. You just live your hating life. Bye bye. See you, not in space of course, because you are certainly not an astronaut, hahaha
BwareDWare94
October 1, 2014 @ 3:36 pm
And you are certainly not a writer, or intelligent lol
Criticism isn’t hate. Learn to distinguish the difference between the two. She’s not maximizing her talent because she could be making much better music.
Cool Lester Smooth
March 29, 2015 @ 3:52 pm
I’d actually argue that her pretending to be country is what hurts her music, and she’d be better off singing straight pop.
She’s simply not a good interpretative singer, but she seems to be afraid of having real hooks in her music, because she doesn’t want to admit she’s a pop singer.
Dianna
September 30, 2014 @ 2:09 pm
I love this song, it is by far one of the best songs that I have heard in the last 5 years on country radio, and one of her best songs to date. I am not a fan of music that can lean christian at all, yet I love this song. I wish she would have toned it down some, but she has the voice, so she might as well use it. She reminds me of Martina in a lot of ways. She could release the most traditional country song in the last two decades, and I don’t think she would get any credit for it at all, nor would people respect her more, it seems like no matter what she does, music critics will always view her differently, its like there is always a but in there, in regards to her music.. I know a lot of people view her as a pop-country artist, but I see her more as a modern adult contemporary country artist.
Clint
September 30, 2014 @ 2:56 pm
I hate Carrie Underwood. I also hate this horrible pop song.
Dianna
September 30, 2014 @ 3:18 pm
It may have pop elements, but it is actually more of a christian song. Since hate is a pretty strong word, what do you hate about her, her music? her voice? etc… While I am a fan of hers, there is some of her music that I do not like at all.
Clint
September 30, 2014 @ 3:55 pm
Same ol same ol, Dianna. She’s just another nominal “Country” “artist”. Supposedly the kind of act this website is saving Country music from; yet here she is, receiving 1 3/4 out of 2 guns up for a song that’s about as Country as the Brooklyn Bridge. Having a great voice from a technical standpoint has never impressed me much either. I hate her voice probably more because I hate her music than anything else, but there’s nothing unique about it. Female singers with volume, range, and good pitch are a dime a dozen, but character and uniqueness are hard to come by. I always loved Tanya Tucker and Patty Loveless.
You’re right though, “hate” is a strong word. I don’t wish her dead. I guess I could have used a different word; maybe “loathe”, or “despise”, or “abhor”.
Nate
September 30, 2014 @ 6:44 pm
Dear Clint,
Leave your bias aside, and consider WHY exactly Trigger might have given a song like this 1 3/4 guns up. The mainstream country music genre right now is trying to recover from an extended period in which A) the quality and content of radio took a massive free fall, and B) very few women received radio play. One thing this blog does really well is shed light on the good music that’s not getting played on the radio, as well as promote the mainstream stuff that can have a positive impact on the future of the genre. Trigger agrees that this song is pop, but also that lyrically it derives itself from the bowels of country music. The hope is that not only will this song take off on radio, but that it will open up a channel for other artists (male and female) to release a song of similar content, one that has been severely lacking for a while on the radio. And the fact that this song is coming from one of the only two remaining females who can maintain any kind of consistent radio play means that radio cannot ignore it — it’s already the most added song this week. And in turn, a powerful song like this by a powerful female figure like Carrie can allow radio to play more songs by women who are not currently getting their songs on the radio. Both of those outcomes (or even just one) would be a turn for the better on country radio, but whether you like Carrie or hate her, this song has the potential to help turn the genre around.
Clint
October 1, 2014 @ 2:44 am
Dear Nate,
Do you think $3.50 per gallon gasoline is a good bargain just because it’s gotten up to $4.50?
Nate
October 1, 2014 @ 2:48 pm
Yes, $3.50 gas is certainly better than $4.50. Change does not happen overnight, it’s always gradual, especially with the landscape of music. So for there to be more substance on country radio, it needs powerful songs like this to be successful so the deep stuff can slip through the mainstream cracks. You can’t get to $2 gas from $4 without getting to $3.50 first.
And a dollar off gas per gallon is a hell of a bargain. It’s a savings of $15 every time I fill my tank which comes to ~$50 per month. Hell, that’s a week of groceries!
Clint
October 1, 2014 @ 4:03 pm
Yeah Nate, $4.49 is better than $4.50 too. You missed the whole point of my question.
Nate
October 1, 2014 @ 5:00 pm
You missed the whole point of this review…
Acca Dacca
October 2, 2014 @ 2:49 pm
Nate, the thing I’ve personally come to realize about certain commenters (like Clint) is that they represent a segment of the country music population that will never be satisfied. They’re all or nothing types that would complain unless they could outright rewind time and change history. Clint might be looking at the big picture but he only wants what he wants and won’t accept any compromise. Just look at his gas price example: it’s almost like he’s saying that he’d just as soon pay $4.50 as opposed to $3.50 because neither is the price he wants, and if it’s not a perfect representation of what he wants it’s automatically not good enough. Obviously, he’ll chime in and “correct” my “misinterpretation” of his analogy, but I hope you get my point. Music fans of such ilk won’t ever give credit where it’s due and will never be happy because they won’t accept the reality of what’s happening, they only just complain about what they think it should be. Notice how he dodged your points with an attempt at being witty. Oh, well. There’s room for everyone around here.
Eric
October 1, 2014 @ 12:45 am
Ah, Patty Loveless. I wish Carrie would sing like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ob4T87XxS3Y
Carin
December 18, 2014 @ 3:23 pm
We already have a Patty Loveless. Don’t need another. Carrie is amazing just the way she is and the God given talent that she has, is hers and hers alone. So proud to be a fan and to support such an amazing person and vocalist. Maybe you should sing like Patty Loveless. Lol
gail
October 1, 2014 @ 8:29 am
It is not a pop song. If you listen to the lyrics, you realize it is a Christian song. I think it is awesome and no one else could do this song like Carrie.
kingfish
October 1, 2014 @ 10:06 am
I’d prefer a “Jewish” song, like “Boy Named Sue” or “Sold American.”
Acca Dacca
October 2, 2014 @ 2:40 pm
So, in your opinion, is this song “horrible” because it’s pop masquerading as country or because you truly feel that as a pop song this is below par? And no, those aren’t the same thing, obviously.
BEH
September 30, 2014 @ 4:27 pm
Carrie is the most technical and well rounded singer in country music if not in all of music right now. There are youtube videos of her singing in radio stations and songwriter rounds that have less than professional sound equipment and she still sounds perfect. I am constantly amazed at her both as a singer and as an artist. I really didn’t have a point to make just wanted to give her props!
BwareDWare94
October 1, 2014 @ 12:07 pm
I think Chris Young and David Nail are right up there with her, and neither has the somewhat annoying qualities that sneak into her voice, like her inability to soften her tone when it would help the song. Seriously, when she enters the chorus of this song, her voice just becomes deafening.
Jan
October 5, 2014 @ 8:53 am
So in this song……..”now I’m changed………..” is not soft??
TheCheapSeats
September 30, 2014 @ 6:28 pm
I like Carrie Underwood. I really do. Because she can sing really well. And has put out some pretty damned good rock songs. She probably has more in common with Lzzy Hale than Loretta Lynn.
Listen to Carrie’s “Good Girl” and Halestorm’s “Miss the Misery” back to back and tell me either recorded by the other artist would have sounded that much different. (Lyrical content aside).
This song? A little too poppy for me. I prefer her heavier stuff.
There’s a lot of tongue-in-cheek & sarcasm going on in what I said, but some truth as well.
Chase
September 30, 2014 @ 7:40 pm
I heard this on the radio today and I thought to myself: Wow! This is a powerful song (for those of us who are Christians). Not only that but it avoids all the checklists that are normally in Country music. It is a good song, tells a story and is not forced. Way to go Carrie!
Eric
September 30, 2014 @ 8:51 pm
Good song, but the problem here is the same as that in all other recent Carrie songs: her voice contains high intensity, but not enough emotion. The great female country singers throughout history, especially the Appalachian ones such as Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Patty Loveless, the Judds, etc., were able to seamlessly combine massive doses of both intensity and emotion. Carrie needs to rekindle the emotional vocals that featured prominently in some of her early songs, such as “Jesus Take the Wheel”.
Albert
October 1, 2014 @ 12:16 am
Excellent point , Eric . Technical skill can never be a substitute for honest emotion.
Trigger
October 1, 2014 @ 12:42 am
Let’s not mistake dryness with a lack of emotion. The big notes of this composition are delivered with no vibrato, but that does not mean there isn’t emotion there. I agree there are more emotionally tinged performances, but this song is already quite melodramatic. You add any more emotion and it could tip the scales to raging sappiness.
markf
October 2, 2014 @ 10:16 am
screaming came into vogue with “American Idol” and the clone shows.
The show experts often say, that it’s the high notes, the “runs” and straining outside the singer’s actual range, that made them decide in favour of a singer.
I think that’s why singers like Carrie yell, and strain.
good for tv ratings, bad for music.
Troy Turner
October 24, 2014 @ 2:56 pm
I agree 100%, Trigger.
I’ve seen a couple of people state that Carrie uses Auto-Tune. I respectfully disagree. Carrie, like Kelly Clarkson, are a few of a handfuk of artists in this generation (regardless of which genre of music they sing in), that don’t need Auto-Tune.
For the folks accusing Carrie of using Auto-Tune, have you heard her sing live? I watched her sing Blown Away live and she slayed it. Her vocals were on the money. She actually sounds better live and that’s something I rarely say nowadays about any artists.
Daniel
September 30, 2014 @ 9:30 pm
I don’t know why but this reminds me of something Kelly Clarkson would sing, idk maybe it’s just me.
Liza
September 30, 2014 @ 10:10 pm
Beautiful song and beautiful production. It’s nice to get a glimpse of the angelic beauty of Carrie’s voice. I wish we would see more of it and less of the screaming, for lack of a better word, that is to prevalent in her music.
Albert
October 1, 2014 @ 12:10 am
Carrie Underwood ALWAYS sings in a register that is just ANNOYINGLY high , in my not-so -humble opinion . And she’s done it again on this track.
Yes ..vocalists have their sweet spots where their pitch is easiest to locate and deliver with power and sustain . But a listener’s ears have sweet spots too and if you push that listener’s sweet spot tolerance ….you’ve lost him . He’s turned that song down, changed the station or turned it off altogether .
This song may have an OK narrative but it has NO melody . It’s Carrie jamming vocally over a chord progression trying to make something work for HER in that vocal comfort zone…the Carriesphere , as I like to call it . And her vocal track has been auto-tuned to boot . ( Sorry Carrie fans ….she uses it too )
As an example and a contrast ( and I almost hate to bring up this name ) listen to a Celine Dion track from any of her albums …old or new . No one would deny that she has an incredible gift and yes, some find her vocal pyrotechnics overly-dramatic. BUT Celine always finds songs with strong strong melody lines first . THEN she unleashes ” The Gift ” on us . Country -Pop in general is sadly lacking in strong melody – male and female cuts – and this track is no exception . Style over ( musical ) substance tries to camouflage that fact and a voice like Carrie’s provides more than satisfactory cover in that respect . But there is NO melody here …nothing memorable or singable by a listener . In fact , she could have talked this song and simply sung the chorus . There is very little dynamic contrast throughout and it has a bridge that is almost indistinguishable from the verses and chorus . This make it an even harder pill to swallow for me .
As a closer -to-home genre-wise comparison I’d mention Trisha Yearwood or even Reba . They can do it all …and they have . BUT first and foremost they find a memorable, hooky melody…a strong lyric with a good story or message and THEN , as with Celine Dion , work their magic and leave their personal stamp on the song .
I LOVE that Carrie Underwood has such an incredible voice and I’m ok with the fact that she doesn’t choose to sing ‘ country’ with that voice . I just really wish she’d find stronger songs melodically and for goodness sakes , give a listener a break in the register department once in a while . That is one polarizing set of pipes there. We get her point…Lord knows she’s made it enough times .’ Please Carrie ….sing it a register that I don’t have to be a dog to enjoy ‘.
Trigger
October 1, 2014 @ 12:45 am
I won’t argue with you about your feelings on Carrie’s voice because as I iterated in the review, you go that high and sustained, and you’re going to have some cupping there ears. But I respectfully disagree there’s no melody. This song is all melody, it just isn’t compartmentalized in intuitive, catchy bites. “Melody” is a fairly arbitrary thing to gauge to begin with. The melody may be more elongated, but it is certainly there.
Adrian
October 1, 2014 @ 12:52 am
This new song from Carrie is much better than most of her recent songs. I think it is the right kind of material from her. Even early in her career, back in 2006-2007, I thought the best path for her would be as a country/Christian crossover artist, who could also record some romantic ballads and classic country covers. I think the “female bro country” songs like “Last Name”, “Cowboy Casanova”, “Undo It”, and even “Before He Cheats” detracted from her strengths.
Trigger, I’m curious on your thoughts on this. If Carrie had played her cards right in her first few albums, do you think she could have prevented Taylor from dominating pop country’s youth segment?
Eric
October 1, 2014 @ 1:34 am
Well, I’m not Trigger, but I’ll take a swing at this question.
First, unlike Taylor, the hell-raising song style fits Carrie’s personality seamlessly. It is difficult to see how she would not have experienced a creative burnout due to sheer boredom if she had restricted herself to a soft-song-only diet for her first several albums.
Nonetheless, even if she had kept singing only soft songs, I still believe that Taylor would have been able to connect better with pop-country youth fans for the following reasons:
1) While Carrie has always been a better technical singer than Taylor, Taylor’s voice has always conveyed a greater sense of emotion and warmth, right from her debut album. When I listen to “Teardrops on My Guitar”, for example, I can feel the pain and sadness in her voice. Same with “Mary’s Song” and nostalgia, or “Cold as You” and an intense combination of hurt and anger, or “A Place in This World” and a sense of both uncertainty and hope regarding the future.
2) Taylor exhibits a devotion to her fans at a personal level that is essentially unparalleled among famous singers. She originally acquired her fan base by networking with every individual fan who asked her questions on Myspace, and since then she has pretty much centered her career on pleasing fans in as intimate a setting as possible (including regularly visiting hospitals and playing entire shows for ill fans).
Adrian
October 1, 2014 @ 11:18 pm
Eric, when I hear “Teardrops On My Guitar”, I hear teenage obsession in her voice. It is hard for me to hear the pain that you refer to, because I’ve lived long enough to know that much of the pain of a teenage crush comes from one’s imagination. It’s like a child feeling sad when she finds out that Santa Claus isn’t real, or a girl feeling the blues because she can’t marry Brad Pitt. She hasn’t suffered any great harm, or any life changing loss like a death in her family. She just doesn’t have everything she might wish for in her imaginary fairy tale world. Oh cry me a river.
I suppose some people (especially moms) might think “Teardrops On My Guitar” is cute, because she sings as if she believes that the pain is real. But Taylor is very good at acting. I think she deserved an Oscar much more than she deserved any of her Grammys.
Eric
October 1, 2014 @ 11:34 pm
Well, if the sad voice in “Teardrops on My Guitar” was an act, then that makes her an even better vocalist in my book. After all, interpretive singing fundamentally contains an acting component. Using this definition, we can label George Jones, George Strait, Waylon Jennings, Patty Loveless, etc. as great actors.
Eric
October 2, 2014 @ 12:20 am
By the way, what is your opinion on this song?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Xjr3toKVQE
Eric
October 1, 2014 @ 1:39 am
I forgot another important reason:
3) Unlike Carrie, Taylor is a songwriter first and foremost, and more than any other artist that I know of, she is able to convey the experiences of young women in a manner that they truly relate to at a visceral level.
boy
October 1, 2014 @ 8:14 am
This is some kind of joke of Eric?
You must be deaf to REAL MUSIC.
taylor voice has warmth? you mean AUTOTUNE?
No…carrie voice has warmth when carrie sings it moves people to TEARS. a perfect example is her rendition of HOW GREAT THOU ART.
Taylor has a mechanical voice , she can barely sing on key to gain warmth from her weak vocals..
taylor is a song writer. then she should stick to songwrititng and stop singing.
taylor is devoted to her fans like everyone else is. Dont try to make other artist look bad just so that Taylor can look good.
I think it is pathetic to see tyalor fans trying to play the their card in defence of taylor’s AWFUL SINGING
sorry but carrie is the superior artist in every way. she can basically sing anything. taylor can only sing generic bubblrgum pop songs.
Taylor speaks to teens and tween in her easy lyrics. Carrie speaks to adults.
carrie lyrics are deep, spiritual and complex and tell a more mature story with great life metaphors.
taylor lyrics are for 9-16 years. all easy and fluffy. with words like ..ever ever ever and like and so. Taylor is way too childish.
So no ERIC. Carrie is more TALENTED.
Eric
October 1, 2014 @ 1:54 pm
Listen to this video from when she was 17:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3lyBXrzR3s
There is a warmth and sense of familiarity there that Carrie’s recent songs do not contain.
Eric
October 1, 2014 @ 1:56 pm
Also, this was the question that I was responding to:
“If Carrie had played her cards right in her first few albums, do you think she could have prevented Taylor from dominating pop country”™s youth segment?”
Arguing that Taylor appeals to teens and tweens simply bolsters my point.
boy
October 1, 2014 @ 2:47 pm
taylor appeals to teens. you are so in self denial it is laughable. that is why she sells so many records. she is britney spears 2.0
all her songs are about breaks up. she uses worlds like ever ever ever and so and like and she is repetitive in lyrics.
this are the words to teens.
taylor sells albums because she appeals to teens. look at her fanbse, it is 90% teen girls.
she is the equivalent of the Twilight films.
it will be a joke to put carrie and taylor on stage.
also taylor stoped in country like 6 years ago but because country is so corrupt and big machines owns country she was still getting awards.
the system is so corrupt.
Carrie vs taylor? is such a joke.
carrie is an adult with deep inspirational and complex songs and sing writing and amazing vocals.
taylor is bubblegum, autotune , awful vocals and pop music trash.
have you heard taylor vocals at her vma performce in 2014
it was TERRIBLE
here is the proof.
http://theconcourse.deadspin.com/taylor-swifts-vmas-performance-with-her-vocals-isolate-1626334694
Eric
October 1, 2014 @ 11:29 pm
“carrie is an adult with deep inspirational and complex songs and sing writing and amazing vocals.
taylor is bubblegum, autotune , awful vocals and pop music trash.”
I think you need to understand my arguments in a more nuanced manner.
Taylor is also an adult, and her songs have broad appeal among all age groups. It’s just that teenage and tween girls constitute a disproportionate share of her audience. “Bubblegum pop” is a very specific musical style, and of her entire musical output thus far, only 4 of her songs can properly be labeled “bubblegum pop”. I understand that she has now moved to pop, but her first 3 albums were all far more traditionally country, in terms of sonic structure and storytelling, than bro-country. Since my focus in my initial comment was on Taylor’s early songs, her recent pop songs and her 2014 VMA performance are simply irrelevant to this discussion.
It is also not really in keeping with the traditions of country music to judge lyrics entirely by their subject matter, or a voice entirely by its intensity. The heart of country music lyricism has always lied in writing about the mundane realities of daily life in a manner that the audience can easily empathize with. Songs about relationships fall squarely within this tradition and have always thoroughly dominated country music. On the vocal side, country has always prized emotion over intensity or technical ability.
In any case, I do not understand what made you so upset about my initial comment. It is sad that you would respond to an objective analysis of relative fame with such vitriol.
boy
October 2, 2014 @ 1:27 am
Taylor is not an adult. if she was people wont joke about how they can not believe she and ADELE are the same age.
look at taylor new song. SHAKE IT OFF.
It is so childish, she acts like a high school girl and eevn cheerleads,
that is childish.
her songs are usually called bubblegum because these songs are cheesy and very easy to sing with no REAL VOCAL CHALLENGE.
When Christina was 17 her songs were not called bubllegum because she was a powerful vocalist and she could handle big songs. Britney was called bubleguum due to her NO SINGING ABILITIES LIKE TAYLOR.
You are still in denial. carrie is the more emotional singer. IT IS WHAT SHE IS KNOWN FOR.
Her rendition of how great thou are is proof. when she sang the song, it moved people to tears.
she sang the song again for Opera at her private house and oprah was moved to tears. oprah also commended carrie spiritual devotion to her singing talent.
spirituality carries a lot of emotions. so that is proof that carrie is the more emotional singer.
DID YOU EVEN WATCH ALL THE VIDEOS I SENT TO YOU. Especially the ones where CARRIE IS SINGING TO KIDS.
There is nothing technical about singing to kids.
taylor has never moved anyone to tears when she sings. CARRIE DOES….ALWAYS.
Taylor does not have the voice to Move people to tears. She is an AUTOTUNE QUEEN like Kary Perry.
lastly she won all those awards because of BIG MACHINE. Country music has always favored TALENT.
That is why their female singers do not whore themselves like r&b and pop singers.
taylor won the awards because big machine are the ones running the show.
You are such a joke.
keep leaving in your fantasy land and in self denail.
that is why this site exists. it exposes all the corruptions.
Eric
October 2, 2014 @ 2:27 am
Once again, you are misunderstanding my comment and, like so many other knee-jerk Taylor Swift critics, making outlandish accusations that do not stand up to the factuality test.
As I stated in the comment that you just responded to, I acknowledge that 4 of her most recent songs are bubblegum pop (specifically, “Shake It Off”, “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”, “I Knew You Were Trouble”, and “22”). I also mentioned that those songs are irrelevant when discussing her early output and understanding why she captured the country-pop youth market, which is what the original topic was.
I also never said that Carrie was not a great singer. If you read carefully, you will see that I was referring only to her RECENT songs (by which I mean the last two years). In one of my comments, I praised her voice in “Jesus Take the Wheel” and talked about how I wished that she could rekindle that magic in her new songs.
Now let’s go back to the two accusations that you made against Taylor:
1) Please show me a single example of AutoTune in any of Taylor’s first three albums.
2) Her greatest award-winning season was late 2009 and early 2010, when Big Machine was far less wealthy than today and was still regarded as an upstart label. They did not have enough power to affect the CMAs, let alone the Grammys.
As a side note: when discussing the all-powerful nature of Big Machine, it is always important to remember exactly whose work made the label so wealthy…
boy
October 2, 2014 @ 8:18 am
Taylor uses autotune. here is the proof;.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoMF3TsNWFA (GIGGEST PROOF)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqPpgP86rk0
Here big machine even ran an article of her using autotune
https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/once-and-for-all-does-taylor-swift-use-auto-tune
So yes, she uses autotune. that is why she is a weak singer live.
this is a carrie article but like the insecure taylor fan you are, you had to bring up taylor on a carrie article even lying about been an emotional singer when in reality carrie was the one that has been praised for her emotional singing. carrie atimes even cries when she sings. even further carrie said she will never perform certian sings live because it is just way to emtional for her to do it live. that is emotion. All taylor does is run around on stage and flip her hair to hide her weak voice.
Taylor like britney also does big production tours and visuals to hide their medicore voice.
taylor has medicore talent even when she was full county. I remember the first time I heard her sing at the american music awards in 2008. (WHITE HORSE) it was awful.so awful and when she sang tim mcgrew to tIm himself her vocals where terrible as well.
so she has always been an awful singer even when she was full country.
the reason she got far is because her DAD is powerful and big machine runs Nashville.
Carrie had it harder. she went on american idol as a poor working class girl,(unlike taylor who was from a RICH FAMILY) Carrie had never even been on a PLANE before the idol stage rounds and SHE HAD TO SING ALL GENRES OF MUSIC AND BEAT OTHER GREAT SINGERS TO WIN.
(unlike taylor who was from a RICH FAMILY)
She took up songwriting for her second albums and has getting better. Taylor has gotten worse as a song writer.
carrie lyrics are deep, inspiration and complex and more memorable. Taylors lyrics are generic.
I am sorry. Like Taylor but please comparing her to carrie is a joke that is not funny.
Eric
October 2, 2014 @ 12:11 pm
None of that is proof of Autotune. I suggest you learn what Autotune is. The pitch correction creates an audible digital effect, something that can be clearly heard in a Katy Perry song but not in a Taylor Swift song (at least excluding her 4 outright pop songs).
“the reason she got far is because her DAD is powerful and big machine runs Nashville”
I have addressed this so many times that it has gotten exhausting. I suppose that since you are new to SCM, I should repeat this again, but here goes. When Big Machine signed her, it was a completely new label and she was the first artist there. Her dad purchased only a 3% share in the company (interesting note, Toby Keith owned and still owns a 10% share).
The very reason why Big Machine “runs Nashville” today is because of the profits made by Taylor’s albums and singles.
Ahmed
October 2, 2014 @ 6:04 pm
Eric, just ignore him/her. They do not seem to know how to engage in a proper, coherent discussion.
TX Music Jim
October 1, 2014 @ 6:36 am
No it is not a country song, it is a contemporary Christian song. The vocal is amazing, the message refreshing.I have Never have been a Carrie Underwood fan but there is no denying the song and the vocal are very well done. Thanks for the review Trig.
Gail
October 1, 2014 @ 6:55 am
Sent chills all over me. Very emotional and moving song. I love the way she sounds desperate for others to fill the joy of love.
Ahmed
October 1, 2014 @ 3:32 pm
Besides the fact that some of the lyrics are pretty cliched/worn out at this point, the problem remains in her voice. Whenever she sings above the mezzo forte, her voice thins and her timbre becomes nasal, and deeply unpleasant at times. I like the production. The song just needs a more pleasant tone. 3/5 stars from me.
D. Dean
November 6, 2014 @ 10:06 am
Oh dear me aren’t we all just so impressed with your knowledge of vocal range.
Lance
October 1, 2014 @ 3:52 pm
Carrie’s songs have never appealed to me in the least and this one is no different.
1 3/4 guns up??? For what exactly? This type of tune has been done many times before,,,, and as usual, she’s screamy….again.
Adrian
October 1, 2014 @ 11:11 pm
It is a good song, but I agree she is too screamy. I would prefer the softer sounds of “Jesus Take The Wheel” and “I Told You So”.
Robert
October 1, 2014 @ 11:08 pm
If you are trying to say Carrie is getting out of the country music. Far from it, the reason, she is released her greatest hits album now. Is that fans have been asking for it. So, she is fully their request, like she normally does. And as I said before, Carrie shows her religion up front. And she does in such a way. That it isn’t pushy at all. I am not religious at all, and this song is beautiful and doesn’t bother me in the least. And it is song, that shows off her powerful vocals.
Trigger
October 1, 2014 @ 11:56 pm
I’m not saying Carrie’s trying to get out of country whatsoever. I see no signs of that. And if she did, female representation in the mainstream would go from being in critical condition to on life support.
Filler
October 3, 2014 @ 7:03 am
While I do think Carrie Underwood is very talented and her music is deeply lyrical, she needs to get out out of country and move all her country songs to pop. Why? because Carrie Underwood is somewhat religious for country. So if all her deeply meaningful country was played on pop, then mainstream needs to pay attention to mainstream songs (not country songs) with strong emotions, deeply lyrics, and great heart. So what Carrie Underwood does is to make her first pop album after her greatest hits album where her pop music will be going on a christian rock route with deeply lyrics and powerful emotions. This will be this pop music that Carrie Underwood will be doing instead of making new country music. So have Carrie Underwood leaves country as soon as she have plans to get her first child and have other female country artists like Danielle Bradbury took over Carrie Underwood’s place. Country music hates female country stars like Miranda Lambert. So alot of female country stars are pop stars, not country stars and Carrie Underwood fits nicely on pop stars. Country music is not mainstream and country music only appeal American cultures, not popular music industry like Vevo. If country music no longer exists on popular music, then it would be fine. So Carrie Underwood for pop music please. 🙂
Toby in AK
October 2, 2014 @ 1:00 pm
This is not my cup of tea musically speaking but I applaud the positive message and Carrie Underwood’s vocal talent.
pklongbeach
October 2, 2014 @ 4:07 pm
Well, as soon as some of you fall into the “I hate Carrie Underwood” rhetoric, you lose a lot of your credibility as far as anylizing what you are listening to. I think the thing at gets lost with a lot of folks and I would not expect a lot to understand, is that every voice is different, and I don’t mean “sounds” different, I mean it functions differently. What Loveless might do with her voice is going to be based on what she can do and what is good for her artistically. Carrie Underwood has a really big voice. And I admit that that alone should not indicate that she as a Good voice. But the fact is “she does” a really good voice. Its big, and she struggles with higher tones without having to push them, but no one is picking other singers a part like they are a frog for dissecting, and I always find it interesting that Underwood gets put under this microscope so often. As if in stead of accepting what is, we want to somehow turn her into a different kind of singer. She is a singer who loves country music and sings it beautifully. She is also a singer who has a very big voice and maybe someone should talk to her producers about how to handle recording a voice that big. But when she is in the studio trying to create an artistic moment, she is completely out of control of just “how much” voice is going to be layed on the final mix. I just wanted to point this out cause she herself gets a lot of flack for having that big voice that God gave her and her producers tendancy to force it to the front of the arrangements. If some of you knew more of Carries music you would see that she is a beautifully stylistic singer. She just happens to be able to open up and really belt. And I agree that it is used too often, so that some people think that’s all shes capable of. Well, you are the one missing out if that is true. As much as I would love for one of her softer song to make it to #1 on country radio, your precious country radio will not let that happen. So blame Carrie if you will, but she is having to give an awful lot of people what they want, and in the end she is just a girl who really wants to sing, and has the voice to do it well!
I love the song, but then I am struggling right now with an affirmity and this type of empowerment makes me stronger. So I appreciate it. But yes, I would love for you all to get to know her softer voice. Your missing out.
Karen
October 2, 2014 @ 7:10 pm
Dear pklongbeach,
To each their own. I do not hate C. Underwood. (T. Swift’s people have sure done a job on the pop culture by teaching everyone that if you don’t like her then you are a “hater” and I guess people have picked up on that mantra for many things). I do not know CU, therefor cannot hate her. I don’t like to listen to her sing. Period. Some people just don’t like the sound of her voice. You do. So be it. There are so many other singers out there who’ve never been played on the radio who sing in theatres, on concert stages, choirs, cruise ships, clubs and bars. I’ve heard many many beautiful female voices and to my very sensitive (and musically trained) ears, her’s is not one of them. She doesn’t deserve anymore attention for her attempts at singing than anyone else. Just because she entered a game show contest and won, doesn’t make her the best. TV is not the be all end of of music. You are missing a lot as well my friend.
pklongbeach
October 3, 2014 @ 7:52 am
You had me at “I don’t like her voice”. That’s sort of it than. And I am totally cool with that. But suggesting that I somehow judge her abilities cause she came off a singing show, or that there are other really great singers out there, and therefore Carrie does not deserve acknowledgement falls into some category of judging her, and frankly judging me. I just don’t see the connection. You are making a connection to her success based on that tv show when thousands of people sang on that show and did not have success. You just can’t make that assumption anymore. She has come too far, Its just not fair. As for others singing better, well certainly, and won’t there always be. You know, I am not a grobin fan, I am not a Dion fan, I am not most celebrities fans, but I can certainly acknowledge their abilitites. I was just hoping to remind people that because she came into the industry in an unusual way and had huge success very quickly is no reason not to believe that possibly just possibly “America got it right” as the show likes to say. Wink!!
Karen
October 3, 2014 @ 8:06 am
I’m not judging anyone, just know what I like to hear and not hear. You put words in my mouth by insinuating I am forming my opinions solely because because she came off a reality show.
What about all the millions in “America” who didn’t watch and didn’t vote? (Wink) Didn’t say she didn’t deserve any acknowledgement at all, just why should she be held any higher than someone else who has a stunning voice and worked and studied for many years? Again I say, to each their own. I’m not telling you what to listen to, am just stating my opinion.
It’s spelled Groban, by the way.
Have a great weekend pk.
Sarah
October 3, 2014 @ 12:08 pm
I do agree there are many beautiful voices that has not been heard by the majority of people.
I’m Carrie fan. I was one of the “millions in America who didn”™t watch and didn”™t vote”. Not all her fans were obsessed by voting for her on American Idol. Some of us found out about her in different ways.
FYI some of Carrie fans do know “singers in theatres, on concert stages, choirs, cruise ships, clubs and bars” and non mainstream singers 🙂 I’m not just talking about country genre either.
Karen
October 3, 2014 @ 1:04 pm
Sarah, great. I’m happy for you. You are a Carrie fan. Go forth and enjoy. I never said all Carrie fans missed out on other singers, genres etc. I love all kinds of music and singers.
Take care
sarah
October 3, 2014 @ 1:48 pm
Sorry, I thought that’s what you were implying. Many people do when talking to Carrie fans. It annoys me a lot.
Albert
October 3, 2014 @ 10:25 am
Once CU had established a following ( American Idol ) that became the determining factor in her becoming a marketable commodity . As Karen correctly points out , thousands can sing …many as good or better than Carrie .( Just look at ONE season of THE VOICE and watch who gets left OFF the final list …AMAZING vocalists ) Carrie already had ALL the other marketing ingredients that even TS , has with NO voice ……they are were/are young blonde, Barbies, with a model’s bodies and personality that would ruffle NO feathers ( except maybe Taylor’s boyfriends’ ), and wouldn’t embarrass or bring ANY grief to a label . They are acceptable to every race creed and colour …every kid , mom or teenage boy and just about every advertiser . It is a business which HAPPENS to be music . Carrie and Taylor ‘s safe , all-American girl good looks helped them win the popularity lottery .
pklongbeach
October 3, 2014 @ 11:20 am
Ok, I am getting picture. You just don’t think she is good enough to deserve what she has. That is just going to have to be left to opinion. Because everything about what she has accomplished indicates that a cute face, blond hair, and good manners, is not all it takes to be a 6 time Grammy Award winning singer. America Idol will always be a go-to for those who just don’t seem to like her. And pointing to better singers is an easy way to suggest that she is just not good enough. The only thing I can really say is that in honesty, probably no one deserves what she has. Its a great deal. But if you really want to look at the music, and really want to anylize the quality of the product, you really have to be able to let go of a lot of these preconceived ideas that I am hearing coming from people here. Shes just a singer. And she trys hard. I believe that, and it means something to me that she is trying hard to create an artist within someone who understands just how blessed she is and continues to make effort to be that artist that “deserves it”. All good.
Eric
October 3, 2014 @ 12:12 pm
I was agreeing with your comments about vocals, I think this comment crosses a line into personal attacks and borderline sexism.
First, Barbie is a doll. Let’s not use it to refer to real people.
Second, there are plenty of young, thin blondes with non-confrontational personalities, especially among those looking for a break in the country music industry. One cannot achieve fame as a female in country music without displaying a greater level of talent.
Karen
October 3, 2014 @ 3:26 pm
Understood. Some people get quite rabid. I DO find it interesting how people define themselves as part of a group, i,e, Carrie fans.” That’s kind of telling I suppose.
Chrissy
September 21, 2015 @ 6:59 am
Karen – that’s because Carrie fans actually is a group. It’s a web site called carriefans.com It existed for two years before the official Carrie fan club even existed.
D. Dean
November 6, 2014 @ 10:02 am
When you mention Country Radio, or any radio, you get my attention. The public doesn’t know or understand that radio stations are paid by independent promoters who pay the stations to add certain music to their playlists. Because it is illegal for record companies to directly pay radio stations to play their music, without disclosing on the air that the time is paid for, record companies bring in a middleman, the independent promoter, or “indie.” So, it isn’t the “precious country radio” that makes those decisions, . . . it’s the precious recording companies. Radio stations play what recording companies PAY THEM to play.
TexasVet
October 2, 2014 @ 9:27 pm
Here’s an example of one of her softer songs that I wish would have been released to radio:
Forever Changed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3wn5qCkfEY
Sarah
October 3, 2014 @ 12:38 pm
I would have liked that as well. Its one of my favorite songs of her on Blown Away. I would have liked these songs released
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBg__ByatjQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBjA_vPB-1s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bN5xSKkXIB8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpZdDPqn_As
Trish
October 3, 2014 @ 3:26 pm
1) Carrie Underwood, in my opinion, has been the best vocalist in country music since she came onto the scene. The only other female over the last couple decades that can even compare to her would be Martina McBride, the one of about twenty years ago.
2) This song is terrific and full of a lot more than just powerful notes. Carrie can lay down falsettos like nobody’s business.
3) To compare Carrie Underwood’s voice to Taylor Swift’s is like comparing a Hyundai to a Lamborghini. I don’t even think Taylor would welcome that comparison as it is laughable. It is just your typical troll that just tries to stir the pot.
4) Finally, All these comments in this section tell you all you need to know as to why Miss Underwood is so popular. Most artists would garner just a few comments.
Eric
October 3, 2014 @ 9:44 pm
“The only other female over the last couple decades that can even compare to her would be Martina McBride, the one of about twenty years ago.”
In terms of technical ability, yes. In terms of conveying emotion, though, I would definitely rank Lee Ann Womack and Natalie Maines ahead of her, and in terms of combining emotion and technical ability, I would rank Patty Loveless at the top of the famous country female list of the last two decades.
Here’s another Patty Loveless song (from eighteen years ago):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZHMS3Vho-o
Albert
October 3, 2014 @ 9:42 pm
“Carrie already had ALL the other marketing ingredients that even TS has with NO voice…”
Just to be clear ,Trish and all , I think Carrie Underwood is nearly unmatched amongst A-List vocalists today .Whether she is to someone’s taste or not is another issue altogether , of course. In my opinion she is not a country singer …but that’s neither here nor there when it comes to her musical gift . It is truly amazing .My comment ( above in quotations ) clearly wasn’t a comparison of CU to TS vocally ( c’mon ….WHO in their right mind would even suggest they are in the same league ? ) but to draw attention to how similar they are when it comes to having the right marketing attributes . Perhaps ” Barbie ” as a description does border on sexism . It wasn’t intended as such but apologies to anyone who interpreted it thus . My point was that Barbie is perfect-looking …flawless and marketable . As are the two singers in question . AS ARE MANY MANY MANY others . CU’s Idol appearance garnered a huge audience which made it a no-brainer for a a label to get behind her ….she came with a market . What label wouldn’t love THAT . TS , as most of us are aware , came with BIG backing in the form of $$$ . Both of these scenarios are rare and many many other vocalists deserve the same accolades and attention for their talents . In comparison to MOST of the others , THESE particular vocalists won the lottery , is all I was trying to say .
Eric
October 3, 2014 @ 9:49 pm
“TS , as most of us are aware , came with BIG backing in the form of $$$ .”
There are plenty of singers from rich families, often much richer than Taylor’s family.
In any case, just being signed on to a label obviously does not guarantee that you will become the most popular singer in the world, with two consecutive albums selling above a million copies each in the first week.
Eric
October 3, 2014 @ 9:53 pm
Also, keep in mind that Taylor did NOT have the backing of a major label starting out.
Filler
October 5, 2014 @ 5:30 pm
I agree with you, Carrie Underwood is not a country singer. In fact, Carrie Underwood is not even country. All of her songs even if all her songs are country are not country and all her songs are pop. Therefore all Carrie Underwood songs should be pop and played on pop stations only. Same goes for Taylor Swift. But they’re both amazing singers in my opinion and they are talented nonetheless. But they’re not both country singers, they’re both pop singers. End of story.
sarah
October 4, 2014 @ 4:41 pm
Carrie coming off if Idol doesnt guaranette anything. Not everybody who comes off singing show has the same career as Carrie. I fell a lot of emotion and passion from Carrie when she sings. Thats why she is one of my favorite singers. I’ll post some of my favorites performance of her own songs thats more tame.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBg__ByatjQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBjA_vPB-1s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bN5xSKkXIB8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpZdDPqn_As
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pttR8A7Rrv4
John B
October 5, 2014 @ 4:02 pm
I’m not a fan of today’s pop music, or the reflection of it in today’s pop-country. But this track ain’t bad. And its nice to actually hear some country in a radio-friendly pop-country song for a change.
Adrian
October 11, 2014 @ 5:24 am
Carrie’s song has reached the top of the Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart:
http://www.christiantoday.com/article/carrie.underwoods.baptism.themed.song.something.in.the.water.tops.billboard.christian.chart/41538.htm
There is huge demand for her as a country-Christian crossover artist. I think she could have done more with that in the years between “Jesus Take The Wheel” and this song.
Troy Turner
October 29, 2014 @ 1:59 pm
This whole “don’t listen if you don’t like it/you’re a hater” mantra is ridiculously juvenile, petty and makes people sound like they’re back in high school when they’re supposed to be grown ass adults. Time to grow up, ladies and gents
As for Carrie’s song: I happen to like it. God has blessed that young lady with enormous talent and a huge voice. She’s actually one of the few artists that I’ve had the opportunity to hear live and she sounds better live than she does on her records. She’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but no one can deny that she’s a wonderful singer with a huge range.
As for folks in their comments on here about her playing it safe: I happen to think she’s a breath of fresh air. Every musician/singer doesn’t need to go courting controversy or create drama. She’s NORMAL with solid morals and values, especially in this amoral society that we live in today. God bless Carrie and I wish that lady nothing but the best in her life and in her career. With talent like she has, she’ll be around for a long time to come.
D. Dean
November 6, 2014 @ 9:44 am
I have one question: After Carrie Underwood blew the roof off the auditorium singing “Something in the Water,” at the CMA Awards, how did Miranda Lambert have the nerve to accept the Best Female Vocalist award? Carrie Underwood’s voice is so far superior to Miranda Lambert, yet every year they keep handing her the award. Ridiculous!
lisa
December 1, 2014 @ 11:31 am
i love it!!!!! <3
Royce Skepagny
December 19, 2014 @ 1:54 am
Late 2 the dance but enjoyed the debate. TS has wisely moved from country 2 pop. Her fan base has always been pop fan base. Reason she’s done so well, commercially. Pop will always outsell country and she was nvr country, anyway. On tht we can agree.
Royce Skepagny
December 19, 2014 @ 2:40 am
As 4 CW, 2 say she doesn’t have vocal talent is ridiculous. Her ability is otherworldy. Did anyone catch her rendition of Paradise City? Axl Rose wud be hard pressed 2 top it. Problem is country is her weakest genre. She’s rock, pop singer at heart. Wish she’d get wise 2 tht fact. Kelly Clarkson stronger country singer thn Carrie and she consider pop, rock. Prhps, being from small-town Oklahoma she feel she has 2 be country. If she from San Diego, instead, this probably wudn’t be an issue. Hope she figures it out in time.
LD
January 9, 2015 @ 7:39 am
song great until I watched the video, seductive video was repulsive