When people talk about modern country music, it’s almost impossible not to bring up Carrie Underwood. Her story starts where a lot of people’s music careers only dream of beginning—with a big win on American Idol back in 2005. That jumpstart put her instantly in front of millions of eyes and ears, and she’s kept them ever since. Since her first moment in the spotlight, Underwood hasn’t really stepped out of it. She’s sold more than 85 million albums and singles globally, and each of her nine studio albums has landed either at No.1 or No.2 on the Billboard charts.
What’s stood out isn’t just the quantity of her hits—it’s that her songs keep topping charts year after year. She’s managed to bridge the classic country audience with fans who wouldn’t normally have country on their playlists. If you’ve found yourself singing along in your car to one of her tunes, you’re definitely not alone.
Signature Chart-Topping Songs
Underwood doesn’t just make music; she racks up records. You don’t see a streak like hers often. She has landed 16 No.1 singles on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and 14 No.1 singles on the Hot Country Songs chart. That run makes her one of the most consistent hitmakers in the business. What’s more, every single she’s promoted to radio has reached the Top 10—a streak no other artist in country music has managed for as long.
What makes her tracks click with so many people isn’t just catchy choruses. Underwood brings a kind of storytelling and attitude that feels both country and pop at the same time. Whether you usually lean more toward rock, pop, or hip-hop, there’s a good chance you’ve heard or at least recognized her hits. They seep into TV, social media, and even sports highlight reels.
Top Chart Hits: The Big Songs and Their Stories
So, which songs have defined her career so far? Let’s look at a few that put Underwood on every kind of playlist—country, pop, gym, you name it.
One of her most recognizable songs is “Before He Cheats.” Released in 2005, this song didn’t just climb the country charts. It went multi-platinum and sold over 5.8 million copies. The track crossed over to the Billboard Hot 100, ending up as one of the biggest country-pop smashes of the decade. Its blend of tough storytelling and sing-along appeal has made it go-to karaoke fuel for years now.
On the same first album, “Jesus, Take the Wheel” landed and stayed at the top of the charts for weeks. This one struck a different chord than her revenge-drenched anthem. It’s more reflective and heartfelt, tying together faith and personal turning points. The song picked up Grammy Awards, which signaled to everyone that Underwood’s career was about more than quick hits. She was here for the long haul.
Then there’s “Blown Away.” In 2012, the song introduced an almost cinematic scope. With its dramatic storyline about stormy family secrets and survival, the song brought together big vocals and serious subject matter. It soared to the top of country radio and even earned another Grammy, underscoring her ability to handle tough or dramatic themes as well as she handles love or heartbreak.
A few years later, “Something in the Water” continued that streak of soulful anthems. Released in 2014, the track dove into themes of transformation and faith. It quickly became an inspirational favorite and hit the Top 40 on mainstream radio. If you listen to playlists of feel-good or motivational songs, it’s never far away.
Country radio has also had a thing for her more up-tempo tracks. “Church Bells” (2016) was all over the airwaves. While it wasn’t her absolute biggest crossover, it became a country radio staple—playing at nearly every barbeque and tailgate in the summer it came out.
Sometimes, Underwood turns the tempo up just for fun. “All-American Girl,” released in 2008, became an instant favorite with fans. It’s a sing-along celebration that seemed to fit every graduation ceremony or wedding slideshow for years.
“Good Girl,” from 2012, is another example of Carrie branching out. The song uses heavier guitars and a pop-ready chorus, and that helped it rack up pop-country crossover success on several charts.
With “Cowboy Casanova” (2009), she kept nice company alongside top 20 artists on the Billboard Hot 100. This track played up a bolder style, with swagger that reminded people she could work in a pop setting just as well as country.
It’s worth noting “Ghost Story” (2022), too. This isn’t the first song you probably think of, but it marked her 30th Top 10 on the Country Airplay chart. That’s the kind of streak only a handful of artists manage, and even then, not usually this quickly.
Awards and Industry Impact
With so many hits, awards were more or less inevitable. Underwood picked up Grammy wins for “Jesus, Take the Wheel” and “Blown Away” among others. Awards have come from all over: Country Music Association, American Music Awards, Billboard, and beyond.
More than the trophy shelf, though, it’s the blend of country traditions and pop accessibility that’s influenced so many artists after her. She’s helped pave the way for crossover singers—those who want to have a little country and a little pop in the same song. Her impact can be traced through lots of current artists who try to follow that formula, from young contestants on singing shows to established acts pivoting their sound.
Part of her legacy is also her role as a high-profile female artist in country music. It’s no secret the genre sometimes leans heavily male, but Underwood’s voice and presence have made more space for female perspectives and stories.
If you’re curious about pop culture and how country music interacts with broader business trends, you can see her influence all over. Publications like Stephanie U. Shelton and TheBusinessTarget regularly cover the careers of power players like Underwood, highlighting how music and business increasingly intersect.
