Carrie Underwood Scores History-Making Top 40 Country Debut!

from http://magazine.angrycountry.com/article.php?story=20051028151728470

Carrie Underwood makes history this week as “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” the first new single from her debut album, rockets onto the radio airwaves and the country charts.

“Jesus, Take the Wheel” received so much airplay in its first week of release that it debuts at #39 this week on both the Billboard and Radio & Records country singles charts. This marks the first time a newcomer has debuted inside the Top 40 since the start of BDS audience monitoring in 1990.

The chart rankings only begin to tell the 2005 American Idol winner’s out-of-the-box success story. Carrie’s recording gave her the biggest first-week numbers of any new artist this year, as her song was added to the playlists of more than 70 reporting stations-more than double that of any other song this week and a figure so high that only five mega-stars (Kenny Chesney, Garth Brooks, Faith Hill, Gretchen Wilson and Toby Keith) have posted better first-week numbers this year.



The newcomer couldn’t be more thrilled by her reception at country radio. “Everybody keeps throwing numbers at me,” she observes. “I don’t know what they mean, but everybody seems pleased, so I am, too!” Throughout the Idol competition that propelled Carrie into the spotlight this spring, she made it clear to producers and viewers that she’s a country music fan and singer. “Every chance I got I wanted to do country music because everybody kept telling us to be ourselves…and that’s the music I love.”



Carrie’s welcome from country radio extends far and wide. In the coming weeks, she’ll be showcased in interviews on hundreds of stations via many syndicated radio shows, an album premiere special (hosted by Carrie) and specially created satellite radio programming…proof that radio programmers at every level are jumping at the chance to introduce Carrie and her music to their listeners.

Carrie’s debut album, Some Hearts-featuring “Jesus, Take the Wheel” (19 Recording/Arista) -arrives in stores November 15, 2005.

CARRIE UNDERWOOD SAYS NO TO PRIVATE JET

from gactv.com

No doubt about it--Carrie Underwood still has the common sense she learned growing up in Checotah, Okla. One of Carrie’s prizes for winning American Idol was the use of a free private jet for a year, which sounds like a great perk. But not according to Carrie, who opted not to take advantage of that perk. “I turned that one down, because you still have to pay the tax bill on what it would’ve cost. And when they showed me what it would cost I turned the jet down.”

Carrie's debut country album, Some Hearts, on 19 Recordings/Arista Nashville, is due in stores on November 15 and her first country single, "Jesus Take the Wheel," is receiving a warm welcome at radio. Additionally, look for Carrie in the "It’s My Drive" column in the November issue of Reader’s Digest. Carrie explains that the 2005 blue Ford Mustang she received as a prize on the American Idol show became her second Ford Mustang car. Her parents bought her a used blue Mustang as a high school graduation gift for doing so well in school (she graduated salutatorian). It also served as Carrie’s stage on wheels as she belted out songs while driving back and forth from home to college.

Thoughts on Some Hearts [song]

If I compare Some Hearts with Jesus Take the Wheel, there is no contest, JTTW is a better produced song. Lyrically, it's going to be hard to top the message JTTW has to offer.

SH has a real pop sound to it. I don't think it is remotely close to country.

I consider myself a Carrie and country fan. I'm totally in love with country because of Carrie. In fact I had given up listening to pop for a few years now. If you ask me what are the top hits in pop today I will have absolutely no clue.

Back to SH. I think Carrie has really thrown herself onto this album. I mean, I can understand the critics during AI when they said she sang with not enough emotion, but she has definitely handled this aspect well from the 2 singles I've heard so far. Her voice is still amazing. Just give the girl a song to sing, she'll do it brilliantly.

My concerns for this song? This to me is like most pop songs: catchy, but not one that I would like to have on my playlist. If it was say, Kelly Clarkson singing this, I probably wouldn't have this on my playlist. I love Carrie to death, and I will support her.

As a country fan, I am disappointed with the song. As I've said, I have given up on pop for some time now. Indeed the CDs i get / songs I DL these days are mostly country songs. Has anyone ever released a country album with a pop song in it? I'm not sure...

If I'm being entirely honest, I would actually blame Carrie's management team. I think they are just out to make a quick buck out of her. I can see the album selling like hot cakes as Carrie fans, country fans and pop fans flock to buy it. However, I wonder how she will be perceived by country radio. Country radio is known for not liking their artists for crossing over. Carrie is new and needs their support a lot, especially since her heart is in country. But thats not what the AI management cares about. They will make lots of money from her, and come next year they will do the same to the winner of AI5.

Now, some fans are upset and have even accused Carrie of selling out. I disagree. Carrie loves country and she loves her fans, no doubt. However, Carrie is new to the industry, and being the humble girl she is, she is probably taking a lot of her advice from her management. Also, we have been given an impression that she has a lot of say in the production of her album, but who actually knows the truth? I'm sure there are a lot of politics behind the scenes that we don't know of.

On the other side, hopefully, this move will pay off and help Carrie succeed in multiple genres. However, i don't think this has ever been done before thats why Im questioning the move a lot

I'm sure the album will sound great and sell well; I just have a lot of question marks over the long term goals of Carrie's management team. I also hope that SH is the only pop song in the album.

Lyrics to Some Hearts

Never been the kind that you'd call lucky
always stumbling around in circles
but i must've stumbled into something,
look at me, am i really alone with you

I wake up feeling that my life's worth living,
can't recall when i last felt that way
guess it must be all the love you're giving,
never knew, never knew it could be like this..
but i guess

some hearts always get all the right breaks,
some hearts have the stars on their side
some hearts they just have it so easy
some hearts just get lucky sometimes
some hearts just get lucky, lucky sometimes

i never thought some one like you would love me
you're the last thing my heart expected,
who'd have thought i'd ever find somebody
someone who, someone who makes me feel like this...
well i guess

some hearts always get all the right breaks,
some hearts have the stars on their side
some hearts they just have it so easy
some hearts just get lucky sometimes
some hearts just get lucky, sometimes
even hearts like mine get lucky,
lucky sometimes
even hearts like mine

some hearts always get all the right breaks,
some hearts have the stars on their side
some hearts they just have it so easy
some hearts just get lucky sometimes
some hearts just get lucky, sometimes
(times 2)

Track listing!

1. Wasted
2. Don't Forget to Remember Me
3. Some Hearts
4. Jesus, Take the Wheel
5. Night Before (Life Goes On)
6. Lessons Learned
7. Before He Cheats
8. Starts With Goodbye
9. I Just Can't Live a Lie
10. We're Young and Beautiful
11. That's Where It Is
12. Whenever You Remember
13. I Ain't in Checotah Anymore
14. Inside Your Heaven

Carrie Arrives Big!

"American Idol" winner Carrie Underwood blows onto the chart at No. 39 with her first Arista Nashville-promoted single, "Jesus, Take the Wheel." The track is Underwood's third entry on the Country chart since winning the talent find this spring, and starts with 3.6 million audience impressions at 64 monitored stations.

from Billboard Radio Monitor subscribe Newsletter

Carrie news on GACTV.com

CARRIE UNDERWOOD SINGLE HITS THIS WEEK
Carrie Underwood is gearing up this week for the release of "Jesus, Take the Wheel," (from her upcoming CD SOME HEARTS, due Nov. 15th).

"Everybody's had a point in their life when they realize that they can't control everything about their life," Carrie says about the single. "Everybody's had a point in their life when they've come to some sort of realization like that. And that's what the song's about."

CARRIE UNDERWOOD SINGLE PRELUDE TO NOV. 15 ALBUM RELEASE
Carrie Underwood is in Nashville today interviewing to promote her new single “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” the leadoff single for her just finished debut album, SOME HEARTS, that hits stores November 15th.

Aside from being busy promoting her new single at radio this week, Underwood will also shoot her first-ever music video for "Jesus, Take the Wheel" with acclaimed director Roman White.

Carrie to perform at the Grand Ole Opry!

from http://www.gactv.com/Opry/index.html

Saturday, November 19th - Grand Ole Opry Live! - Tune in at 8pm ET/PT. Another all-new Opry Live! featuring American Idol winner Carrie Underwood, plus Rascal Flatts and more to be announced!
woohoo! Im going to watch!

Mesmerizing pic of Carrie in the Tennessean

(from tennessean.com)

OMG... Isn't this a beautiful pic of Carrie? She's just smiling and my heart's melting already!

Lyrics for Jesus Take the Wheel

I have to put this here:

She was driving last Friday on her way to Cincinnati
On a snow white Christmas Eve
Going home to see her Mama and her Daddy with the baby in the backseat
Fifty miles to go and she was running low on faith and gasoline
It would been a long hard year
She had a lot on her mind and she didn't pay attention
She was going way to fast
Before she knew it she was spinning on a thin black sheet of glass
She saw both their lives flash before her eyes
She didn't even have time to cry
She was sooo scared
She threw her hands up in the air

Jesus take the wheel
Take it from my hands
Cause I can't do this all on my own
I'm letting go
So give me one more chance
To save me from this road I'm on
Jesus take the wheel

It was still getting colder when she made it to the shoulder
And the car came to a stop
She cried when she saw that baby in the backseat sleeping like a rock
And for the first time in a long time
She bowed her head to pray
She said I'm sorry for the way
I've been living my life
I know I've got to change
So from now on tonight

Jesus take the wheel
Take it from my hands
Cause I can't do this all my own
I'm letting go
So give me one more chance
To save me from this road I'm on

Oh, Jesus take the wheel
Oh, I'm letting go
So give me one more chance
Save me from this road I'm on
From this road I'm on
Jesus take the wheel
Oh, take it, take it from me
Oh, why, oh

Ramblings on "Jesus Take the Wheel"

I'm totally in love with this song! Carrie is awesome on this song... So full of emotion, and the lyrics are so meaningful!

This is the chorus:

Jesus take the wheel
Take it from my hands
Cause I can't do this on my own
I'm letting go
So give me one more chance
Save me from this road I'm on

Isn't it amazing that a young girl like Carrie has decided to sing such a meaningful song? It really is gutsy on her part. To be honest, if I were in her position I may have balked at doing such a thing. I'm a Christian and I'm glad that she has decided to share her faith with others in such a great song. It's great that youngsters have someone like Carrie to look up to. Even for people like me who are around Carrie's age, even for those older, its a great message for all.

On American Idol, I rooted for her as she was such a great singer and a beautiful girl.
After American Idol, after reading more about her through carriefans.com, I loved her for being such a genuine, humble and down-to-earth girl.
And now? Seeing she will be releasing a song like Jesus Take the Wheel, she has earned my respect. Kudos to Miss Carrie Underwood. And thank you God for blessing me with this chance to watch and listen to this wonderful angel.

Info on Carrie's tracks (info gathered from carrieunderwoodonline.com)

Album Title: Some Hearts
Tracks:
1. Jesus Take The Wheel (confirmed song, confirmed single)
2. Inside Your Heaven (confirmed)
3. Before He Cheats (unconfirmed - rumor)
4. Some Hearts (unconfirmed - rumor)
5. Trouble (unconfirmed - rumor)
6. I Ain't In Checotah Anymore (confirmed- EMI PUBLISHING)
7. What Else You Got (confirmed- WARNER CHAPELLE LISTING)

Carrie Co-wrote the last 2 songs

Carrie's thoughts on her album (from GACTV.com)

Carrie Underwood is looking forward to the November 15 release of her debut album, SOME HEARTS. The first single, “Jesus Take the Wheel,” drives into country radio October 18th.

UNDERWOOD REFLECTS ON HER win as a country performer on American Idol, a bastion of pop music styles. "They listen to hip-hop and rap and pop music, and I think that's a generation we really need to get 'em while they're young and let them know that it's just a wonderful form of music," Carrie says.

On a personal note, Im one of those who has been converted to country! woohoo!

Album pic!

Apparently, this will be the picture on Carrie's upcoming album! It's a great pic fo her smiling, perhaps slightly different from what I expected but she looks great as usual!



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Album News!

Ok. Some latest news on Carrie's album:

1) It will be titled "Some Hearts"
2) A song "Take the Wheel" will be released to country radio on Oct 18

Man Im so excited! Woo hoo!