Country Chart Chronicles: Carrie Underwood Launches Into a New Career Stratosphere + More
At the start of 2006, Carrie Underwood had an American Idol victory and two No. 1 hits to her name -- but by the end of the year, her career had reached a new height, thanks in part to her mega-hit "Before He Cheats." The crossover hit exposed listeners to a different side of Underwood's personality, and officially launched her into superstardom.
Prior to releasing "Before He Cheats" in August of 2006, Underwood had released five singles, including "Inside Your Heaven," her Idol coronation song, which was a Billboard Hot 100 No. 1, and "Jesus, Take the Wheel," which landed at the top of the country charts. "Some Hearts," and "Don't Forget to Remember Me" followed -- and then came "Before He Cheats."
By early November, Underwood's "Before He Cheats" was at the top of the Billboard Country Airplay chart, and spent five weeks there (it also spent four weeks atop the Mediabase country chart). The song was also a Top 10 pop single, and has gone platinum five times. Not to mention, "Before He Cheats" won two Grammys, a People's Choice Award, two CMT Music Awards, an ACM, a CMA and more. Underwood had arrived.
Thirteen years later, Underwood is looking to take home Entertainer of the Year at the 2019 CMA Awards, which she'll be hosting for the 12th consecutive year. Read on to learn more about her chart achievement, and others:
The Boot's monthly Country Chart Chronicles column looks at major country music milestones, forgotten hits and charts oddities. Check back each month to learn more fun facts!