Top 20 'Idol' Contestants of All Time - 2: Carrie Underwood
-
- January
- 15
Country music purists, Faith Hill, and country music haters might protest, but Carrie Underwood’s sheer dominance in the genre and occasional crossovers into pop make her a force with whom to be reckoned.
The Season 4 champ’s lookin’ awful purdy, and not just because she’s gorgeous.
After an impressive run on “American Idol”—including a jaw-dropping, country-tinged version of Heart’s rock anthem “Alone,” which still gives me chills—I was disappointed to hear that the first single off her debut album would be called “Jesus, Take The Wheel.” It just seemed a singer who demonstrated such versatility on the show was pandering to a single demographic, when she could be someone (ahemKellyClarkson) who could thrive in pop, country and even rock genres simultaneously.
As much as I hate to see someone with so much talent limit herself, Underwood’s kept it country for the most part with her albums “Some Hearts” and “Carnival Ride.” But, wow, has it worked for her. (Again, shows what I know.)
Depending on the source, she’s either the top-selling “Idol” alum or the runner-up behind Miss Independent. I’m guessing Underwood’s higher ranking of the two involves domestic sales, compared to the latter, which might be worldwide. Either way, Underwood’s sold about 10 million albums. A combined decuple-platinum?! Whoa.
I much prefer her beautiful, fiddle-laden cover of the Pretenders’ “I’ll Stand By You” (perhaps the musical highlight of the “Idol Gives Back” charity special) to her mega-hit “Before He Cheats,” which scorched its way onto both country stations and pop stations otherwise resistant, or downright repellent, to country music. And although I still empathize a bit with the guy in “Before He Cheats” (the female character in that song’s a liiiiiittle unstable) there’s no disputing the impact of that hit on her career, the music landscape … and that dude’s four-wheel drive.
According to AOL’s Popeater, Underwood was the “top-selling artist of 2006 and the top-selling female artist of 2007; celebrated five back-to-back No. 1 singles; has been awarded countless Grammys, CMAs, ACMs and AMAs” and touring with fellow country superstar Keith Urban.
Impressive. But not quite impressive enough to claim the top spot on this list.
Yet.
Also see:
– Top 20 ‘Idol’ Contestants of All Time – Epilogue-No. 1: Kelly Clarkson
-No. 3: Chris Daughtry
-No. 4: Jennifer Hudson
-No. 5: Sanjaya Malakar
-No. 6: William Hung
-No. 7: Clay Aiken
-No. 8: Fantasia Barrino
-No. 9: Blake Lewis
-No. 10: Tamyra Gray
-No. 11: Jordin Sparks
-No. 12: Melinda Doolittle
-No. 13: Bo Bice
-No. 14: Elliott Yamin
-No. 15: Ruben Studdard
-No. 16: Katharine McPhee
-No. 17: Taylor Hicks
-No. 18: Diana DeGarmo
-No. 19: Frenchie Davis
-No. 20: Lisa Leuschner
-Top 20 intro and criteria/Honorable Mentions (Nos. 21-31)
(Photo courtesy of FOX.)
This entry was posted
on Tuesday, January 15th, 2008 at 1:00 pm by Chris Serico.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
Share and Enjoy: del.icio.us Digg Reddit Google StumbleUpon Technorati Yahoo! | 
Print
| 
Email
"Depending on the source, she’s either the top-selling “Idol� alum or the runner-up behind Miss Independent. I’m guessing Underwood’s higher ranking of the two involves domestic sales, compared to the latter, which might be worldwide."
You're right. I don't have a figure or a link for you, but last I heard, Kelly's sold around 16-17 million albums worldwide. I'm the UK, and she's pretty much the only Idol winner from any other country, including the States, that anyone knows here. I do really like "Before He Cheats", though.
In my opinion, AMERICAN IDOL is the best vocal talent contest in the history of commercial television. Far better than Star Search of years ago.
Miss Roboto. She is cute, she can sing, but she is one of the rudest, snottiest people you will ever meet. I think her current CD won't even sell half as well.
Carrie Underwood is more successful than Kelly Clarkson…kelly sold alomst 9 million in her first two cds and Carrie has sold 8.8 million on her first two cds combined and the numbers are still climbing…
kelly started singer with reba m. becuase she didn't sell enough cds
abd Carrie Underwood has won female vocalist of the year 4 times and her debut album is the best selling album of '06, '07' and "05.
Kelly Clarkson is a stuck-up snob,,