The 13 Best Carrie Underwood Songs: You'll Laugh, Cry, and Praise Jesus with These Songs

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Last updated on April 11th, 2023 at 08:34 pm

Carrie Underwood is a legendary country music singer, making her mark on the world since 2005. She has multiple award-winning albums and car-down anthems anyone can sing along to on the radio.

Get buckled and ready to hit the open road as we talk about the thirteen best Carrie Underwood songs of all time. Get your Spotify ready because you’ll need to add these songs as you go!

1. “Before He Cheats” (2005)

The top contender in the best Carrie Underwood songs is the iconic “Before He Cheats” from the very first 2005 album, Some Hearts. The song was written by Chris Tomkins and Josh Kear. The song peaked at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 and remained on the chart for 64 weeks.

“Before He Cheats” is a beloved song because it is a revenge tune through and through. The lyrics depict an angry woman taking revenge on her lover, who is supposedly being unfaithful. She does excessive property damage, from smashing his windows to keying his tires.

While we don’t recommend actually damaging your ex’s property, you have to admit this song hits right where it matters when you’re dealing with the aftermath of a breakup.

Underwood sang this song with the experience of having been cheated on before. However, she doesn’t recommend the same type of damage in revenge, recommending moving on instead.

2. “If I Didn’t Love You” (2021)

Second on our list of Carrie Underwood songs is “If I Didn’t Love You,” from the 2021 Jason Aldean Album Macon, Georgia. It was written by Tully Kennedy, John Morgan, Kurt Allison, and Lydia Vaughn. Carrie Underwood sang this song as a duet alongside Jason Aldean for his tenth studio album. It peaked at 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed there for 25 weeks.

“If I Didn’t Love You” is about a relationship where the man and woman are experiencing trouble moving past each other. The song was the highest debut ever for a duet between two solo artists. It was nominated for Best Country Duo/Group Performance at the Grammys and three awards at the Academy for Country Music Awards 2022.

3. “Jesus, Take The Wheel” (2005)

“Jesus, Take the Wheel” is another song from Carrie Underwood’s first album, Some Hearts. It was written by Brett James, Hillary Lindsey, and Gordie Sampson. It debuted at 20th on the Billboard Hot 100 and remained there for 24 weeks.

This song is an explicitly Christian number on her album, a statement on Underwood’s faith and Christian upbringing. It might not have been her top song of all time, but it’s easily one of the most recognizable.

“Jesus, Take the Wheel” is about a woman surrendering all that she is to a higher power. It’s about a girl who hits ice on the road on her way to her parents and gives everything over while she spins on the road.

4. “The Fighter” (2016)

Our fourth pick on this list isn’t technically by Carrie Underwood. “The Fighter” is a Keith Urban smash hit featuring Carrie Underwood on vocals. It broke records across the ocean and topped charts in the United States of America. “The Fighter” was written by Keith Urban and Busbee.

“The Fighter” is a song about healing and wanting to protect something you love. It was inspired by Keith Urban’s lover and now-wife, Nicole Kidman.

Carrie Underwood was the ideal partner to belt out the tune and access the emotional depth Urban needed for the song.

5. “Blown Away” (2012)

Fifth on our list of Carrie Underwood Songs is “Blown Away,” a song from the 2012 album of the same name. It was written by Chris Tompkins and Josh Kear and produced by Mark Bright. The creators took inspiration from 80s songs to bring this masterpiece to life.

“Blown Away” is an intricate song about a woman who hides in a storm cellar during a tornado, letting her abusive father remain passed out on the couch, presumably to perish. It’s a powerful and emotional ballad about conquering evil and pushing forward amidst the worst odds.

6. “Church Bells” (2015)

Next on our list of the best Carrie Underwood songs is “Church Bells,” a tune on her fifth studio album, Storyteller. The song was written by Zach Crowell, Brett James, and Hillary Lindsay, and produced by Mark Bright. It marked the third single on this album.

“Church Bells” is about a poor girl marrying a rich man. Unfortunately, she learns the man is an abusive alcoholic and eventually poisons him to kill him.

The song received excellent reviews from the public as a retelling of a story as old as time. A girl from poverty will do what she has to do to survive.

7. “Just A Dream” (2007)

Next is “Just A Dream,” a song from her 2007 album Carnival Ride. It didn’t come out too long after her success on American Idol. It was written by Gordie Sampson, Hillary Lindsey, and Steve McEwan. In 2010, the tune received a nomination for Best Female Country Vocal Performance at the Grammys.

“Just A Dream” is a glorious ballad played with an acoustic guitar. It describes a woman in a wedding dress, supposedly going to church for a wedding.

However, it’s later revealed she’s there for the funeral of her husband killed in action. The heartbreaking story is of grief and pain, relatable to many in the country.

8. “All-American Girl” (2007)

“All-American Girl” is another hit from the 2007 album Carnival Ride. It was written and composed by Carrie Underwood, Ashley Gorley, and Kelley Lovelace.

This tune is about the perfect all-American girl coming into a family and changing the heart of a father set on a boy. It depicts her journey into high school, eventually meeting the football star and falling in love.

According to Underwood, this song is partially an autobiographical number. Though a loose interpretation, it’s partly about her life.

9. “Undo It” (2009)

“Undo It” is a song from the 2009 album Play On. It was written by Carrie Underwood, Kara DioGuardi, Marti Frederiksen, and Luke Laird. Underwood sang this song in 2010 on American Idol and onstage at the CMT Music Awards. It’s one of the biggest tunes of her career.

Underwood’s team wrote “Undo It” in a matter of days, proving time spent on the project isn’t what matters. It’s a song that is much meaner than many of her other tunes, talking about a person telling another they wish they had never met them.

Carrie Underwood is the queen of songs about a woman singing bitter lyrics to a man. This song falls under that category and is easily one of her catchiest creations.

10. “Temporary Home” (2009)

“Temporary Home” from the 2009 album Play On. It was written by Carrie Underwood, Luke Laird, and Zac Maloy and inspired by the Rick Warren book A Purpose Driven Life. The song was a hit and was nominated for Best Female Country Vocal Performance at the 53rd Grammy Awards.

“Temporary Home” is a song about her Christian belief, based on the concept that we are just passing through the world and this location is a temporary home.

She wants to affirm her belief and spells it out in this song. It talks about suffering between a boy in a foster home, a single mother, and a dying man to prove suffering is not forever.

11. “Cowboy Casanova” (2009)

Next on our list of Carrie Underwood Songs is “Cowboy Casanova,” a song from her 2009 album Play On. It was written by Carrie Underwood, Mike Elizondo, and Brett James. It was the lead single on this third album and quickly became one of her top-selling successes.

“Cowboy Casanova” is about the classic heartbreaker man who is sleek but throws women to the side. The narrator warns other women about the man, telling them to stay away from this guy. The cycle will repeat if other women give him the ability to go on.

12. “Something In The Water” (2014)

2014’s deeply spiritual “Something In The Water” is another of the best Carrie Underwood songs. This hit was written by Carrie Underwood, Chris DeStefano, and Brett James, and produced by Mark Bright.

The popular track puts a prominent focus on baptism and its impact on Underwood’s life. She wanted to create a tune detailing the transformation a person goes through once they come up out of the water, praising her words. It takes the listener on an emotional and spiritual journey throughout the listening process.

13. “Somethin’ Bad” (2014)

“Somethin’ Bad” is another quality selection, this one a duet between Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert. It was written by Chris DeStefano, Brett James, and Priscilla Renea. The song was released on Lambert’s fifth studio album and earned a Grammy nomination.

As fast and fun as a tune can be, “Somethin’ Bad” dashes back and forth between the two incredible artists. It’s all about mischief, depicting the desire to have fun, and the joy they have in singing proves it. “Somethin’ Bad” is really good.

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