Carrie Underwood first came on people’s radar as a contestant on American Idol. She was named the winner of the fourth season of the reality show in 2005. Her first album, Some Hearts, was the best-selling solo female debut album in country music history. During her American Idol run, she had to perform music from different genres, showing off her strong voice in many country songs as well as pop and rock hits.
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But, even after all of her success on the country charts, she continues to show her rock roots. The country singer has invited Axl Rose onstage several times, and in 2023, she opened some shows for the Guns N’ Roses North American tour. Underwood has performed many rock songs through the years, here are five highlights.
1. “Ace Of Spades” (Motorhead)
Underwood made a significant impact after performing this Motorhead classic during her opening slot on the North American Guns N’ Roses tour. Video of the performance was shared on many outlets as the singer played in front of large crowds that weren’t necessarily there to see her. Underwood also included songs by Joan Jett, Heart, and the Rolling Stones in her set.
2. “Home Sweet Home” (Mötley Crüe)
Underwood released her version of the Mötley Crüe power ballad as a single in 2009, and it hit No. 21 on Billboard‘s Hot 100. Some of the proceeds from the iTunes digital single release went to the Humane Society of The United States. Underwood shared a statement: “I’ve always loved this song. And besides being very fitting for ‘Idol,’ to me, the title is also very fitting with animal rescue and finding animals their own homes.”
3. “Sweet Emotion” (Aerosmith)
Underwood has performed several times with Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler, including a mashup of their hits on the Academy of Country Awards in 2011—”Just a Dream,” “Dream On,” “Undo It,” and “Walk This Way.” They teamed up again a year later to appear on CMT’s Crossroads with Underwood adding guest vocals on “Can’t Stop Lovin’ You,” which appeared on Aerosmith’s Music from Another Dimension. “Dream On” and “Livin’ On The Edge” have also been part of Underwood’s live repertoire.
4. “I Remember You” (Skid Row)
Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach had this to say about Underwood’s cover of “I Remember You,” “Never in my wildest dreams could I ever have imagined coming up with this song in a New Jersey garage and recording it in the studio that 20 years later it would live on in an arena stage being sung by a country artist in the USA.”
5. “Welcome to the Jungle” (Guns N’ Roses)
Underwood and Axl Rose first sang together at Stagecoach in 2022, teaming up to sing “Paradise City” and “Sweet Child O’ Mine.” Again, Rose joined her in Los Angeles on her Denim & Rhinestones Tour to perform “Welcome to the Jungle.” Underwood has also performed “Patience” and “November Rain” at previous shows.
Photo by Jeff Johnson/Courtesy of Full Coverage Communications
