That sense of unguardedness informs the essence of the new record, her most emotionally accessible work to date.
They sing their hearts and souls.
I feel like Ive never been great at that, just in life even.
Credit: Randee St. Nicholas
My husband probably doesnt know what Im thinking half the time.
Im just a little harder to read.
For me, its more comfortable to write about a character than saying, I feel this way.
Carrie Underwood/Instagram
I think this way,' she explains.
Its a safety net between you and the fall.
Those choices have garnered Underwood 26 No.
Capitol Nashville
The response has heartened her.
It was emotional, but still strong.
The searing ballad is about the collateral damage done by a single bullet.
The first time I heard it I was like, Well, this is important,' she says.
And she knows others will decide how she feels no matter what she says, or doesnt say.
We are all different for a reason.
Its bigger than any one political party or issue or any one thing.
Meaningful doesnt have to mean overt messaging in her book.
If we dont sing or write important songs, whats the point?
Its just noise and static.
At the end of my life, will I care?
Will it mean anything?
It does emotionally open doors.
This is the first project that I have started since Ive been a mom.
Even as shes felt challenged, Underwood is proud of the progress shes made.
But I didnt know if I would be a good songwriter.
Thats a completely different animal.
You have to dare to suck.
I hate rules, says Underwood of the antiquated notion that female headliners need male warm-up acts.
I hate being put in a box.
I think it just came down to Whos going to be great to watch?
Who is great to be around?
Who can just bring it all?
It just so happened that the answer was women.
