This is a pretty bold statement, but I assure you, there is a reasonable explanation. Over the past six years, since her win on American Idol Season 4, Carrie Underwood has gone from small town girl from Checotah, Oklahoma, to dazzling country superstar. She's crafted an impressive stack of #1 hits, garnered over 80 trophies, performed countless times on TV and radio shows, and has even managed to keep a squeaky clean rep.
It is not exactly the awards that give her the title "voice of our generation," but rather her persona and impeccable talent. Even on Idol, she gave off a sense of humility that is only present in the great legends of country music. Hailing from a small town, she knows the importance of hard work, diligence, and all-around determination. I would not say that she is the greatest individual to ever grace the planet, but she comes pretty darn close. Every action she commits to comes from a place of heart. Every word she speaks is rooted in her very soul, and she is not afraid to be brutally honest when she needs to be. That is what an American Idol is all about.
Next, if you take a look at any of her many live performances, you can feel the power and emotional punch she brings to the material. She interprets lyrics, melody, and phrasing in a way that is wholly unique to her. Many of her songs, such as "Jesus Take the Wheel," "Wasted," "So Small," and "Temporary Home" showcase her unmatched vocals perfectly. Each of these songs portrays a different side to her voice. Just when I think I've heard it all, she surprises me.
Even on her current single with Brad Paisley, "Remind Me," she delves into quite different territory vocally. A smooth and serene quality drenches this track. That is what makes a great singer. What is also interesting about her is that she is not afraid to stay true to herself, spiritually. The tracks I mentioned above are, primarily, faith-based. While I may not be religious, I still find myself gripping towards hope and love with these songs. They prick something special in my heart.
Music is supposed to move you, and needless to say, Carrie Underwood's intriguing musical repertoire and her charming personality have moved me far beyond comprehension.
There, I said it!
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - D. Mahoney
I agree completely. "There, I said it" too.
2 - Christopher Rose
This is a dumb article, not only cos Carrie Underwood is pretty boring but there is no such thing as "the voice of our generation"...
There, I said it!
3 - B.T.
@Christopher Rose... You should've tagged your comment with: #unpopular opinion. Carrie Underwood isgreat.
4 - Christopher Rose
B.T> - Carrie Underwood grates. There, fixed it for you!
5 - zingzing
something about this article isn't right. it smacks of a publicist with a little too much time. i could easily be wrong... so if this is really someone's opinion, they need to go listen to some more music. carrie underwood is bland, packaged, lowest common denominator type stuff.
6 - jbrown
Great article. Carrie is great.
7 - robinannhunt
Trolls aside, Carrie is a great singer. She can sing anything. Never has an off note. Not sure that these trolls have even heard her sing or maybe they are not into voice and lyrics but just entertainment. They should know that Carrie has it all.
8 - zingzing
alright. show me a lyric of hers that speaks for an entire generation. i want to see how she grasps giant, generation-defining concepts and puts them into original words that crystallize the very meaning of our lives.
9 - Troll hater
zingzang, go to any of her concerts and you might learn a thing or two instead of being so annoying....
10 - zingzing
fuck no. that would be a terrible waste of time and money. (i'll admit i am trolling a bit... you don't have to fall for it. but i've heard some underwood songs, and they are not my cup of tea.)
11 - Cole
Here is the reason I love Carrie.
Look at the so called "superstars" and "singers" we have to look up to these days.
Rihanna, Britney Spears, Katy Perry, Lil Wayne, The Black Eyed Peas, Usher, Lady Gaga, etc....
None of these people represent themselves in a respectable manner. I'm 17 and I'm disgusted by the sex and cruelty I see on TV these days. I don't know where our generation's morals have gone, and quite frankly, I'm ashamed of what's out there on TV these days.
As far as "entertainment" goes, lip synching and slutty dancing seems to be the popular fashion.
However, Carrie is above that, not afraid to voice her love for Christ. She is a very classy lady who rises above the trash you see on TV these days. She keeps it entertaining for the whole family, and for that, I am very grateful and thankful for her.
So to the critics out there....kill 'em with kindness!
12 - robinannhunt
Nice post cole.
13 - Troll hater
Then why on earth would you be here if you she is not your cup of tea...
14 - Dan
well just listen to her National Anthem alone.. is enough..
15 - barb
anytime someone say's nice things about carrie there are people who put her down carrie is an amazing singer and we all know that!!!! the taylor fans have to put there two cents in they are so jealous of carrie i love carrie she is my american idol!!!!!!!!
16 - Farawayhills
I can't agree with the comment on Lady Gaga - she may be a complex and controversial figure, but she shows a deep concern from the heart, and she and Carrie agree on more issues than you might think.
Anyway, the main specific criticism of Carrie seems to be that her lyrics fail to speak for the present generation's concerns. Space only allows a couple of examples - but from her own writing, I'd highlight "Crazy Dreams", which is an anthem for all the would be singers and musicians, dreamers and hidden talents waiting to bloom - Carrie's tribute, if you like, to the people she sprang from - and "Temporary Home", a song which cleverly blends Carrie's concern for social problems like abandoned children and homeless single mothers, with her faith in God in the final journey facing us all.
Of songs she took up but didn't write, I'd highlight particularly the war bereavement song "Just A Dream", written by friends of hers, who called it "Carrie's song" from the beginning, knowing that probably no other contemporary singer in the Country Mainstream would have the compassion - and courage - to back it.
No one has to like Carrie's music or personality - though I'm proud to say I love both. But to think of her as bland, boring and packaged seems a real injustice to an artist who shows stylistic variety, humanity, and a willingness to push the boundaries, as well as having one of the best voices in contemporary music.
17 - Jordan Richardson
Saying Carrie Underwood is a good singer is one thing; saying she's the "voice of a generation" is quite another.
18 - Karen
Carrie is the voice of my generation :) Enough said :)
19 - Kelly
Carrie and her music speaks to my heart and has meaning and helped me through life. That's why I love her and her music. She's the only person I ever cared to follow. Been following her career for 5 years now. She's great in my eyes. Plus I like her as a person.
20 - zingzing
troll something: "Then why on earth would you be here if you she is not your cup of tea..."
because she's terrible and not the voice of a generation. because i disagree. does it not bother you that 99% of the music out there doesn't get close to touching the charts? how can you listen to this music and think it's all that's out there?
21 - Farawayhills
Of course I know that - I'm a Country fan, for Heaven's sake - I know full well that most types of Country Music are never played on Mainstream radio, and 99% of Country artists are never going to get noticed outside the club and festival circuit. But the bottom line is we're never going to make any artist seem any better by making another artist seem worse. Carrie has a deep affection for Country Music. She chose Bonnie Raitt for her Idol audition, and k d lang for her Opry debut, and she shows a great loyalty to the Opry (the only Nashville institution that's consistently welcomed and backed her). she recognizes that living music is a mixture of loyalty to tradition, and a willingness to explore and innovate. The words 'speaks for our generation' were the original poster's, not mine, but I'm glad that she stands proud for our genre and she shows many qualities that I feel do say a lot that I can identify with.
22 - Lann
Let's not just take this critiques word for it. Here is what some of her peers say about her: Dolly Parton-Carrie is one of her top 5 performers to sing with (along with Linda Rondstadt and Kenny Rogers);Randy Travis-she is the best singer to come along in many,many years and says her voice is phenomenal;Others such as Tony Bennett,Loretta Lynn,Simon Cowell(called her incredible),Randy Jackson,Brad Paisley, Miranda Lambert,Reba McIntire,Blake Shelton(recently said she is one of only 4 great female country artists in his top 10 of voices). These are just a few that have made public comments about her as an entertainer and as a vocalist. Pretty impressive!
23 - Christopher Rose
Blimey, these Carrie lovers are a persistent if shallow bunch!
24 - Lann
Christopher Rosey..you shouldn't bad mouth yourself like that.
25 - Rob
Carrie is the best vocalist/performer in the business - her peerless talent, the 2010 biggest female country tour, incredible beauty, grace, and humility has NEVER existed in music before = a total package. 13 consecutive #1's confrim she is a legend at just 28 yrs old. One of the youngest Opry members ever she will continue to amaze us all with her god-given talent. By the way Carrie co-wrote her last 6 #1 songs - the public never hears about her other skills but she is a true artist and performs on a whole other level than virtually anyone else in music - in fact, NO ONE in music today commands the stage with such powerful, emotional vocals. Watch her recent ACM "Thou Art" performance and the world agreed she may have delivered the best vocal in music history, moving millions of fans worldwide. In a world of disposable crap music Carrie stands above the rest giving us album after album of quality music, only matched by maybe Keith Urban. All Carrie haters are simply jealous of her iconic stature and untouchable talent. The only way to beat Carrie is to snub her like CMA and ACM did last year on purpose to stop her award domination, BUT she will be back in full force next year as she drops her 4th cd - it will be a juggernaut. Does anyone realize what a feat it is to sell 7mm. 3mm, and 2mm cd sales in this tough music market? The fact Carrie continues to go multi-platinum after 6 years on top is incredible and only matched by Taylor Swift (as she has the tween market). Carrie does all this via broad-based, diverse demographic fan base that few can match. Team Carre 2011