Carrie Underwood Nearly Passed on “Before He Cheats” — A Decision That Could Have Changed Everything

Before He Cheats” is now one of the defining songs of Carrie Underwood’s career — but at the time, she wasn’t convinced it was the right move.

Speaking with PEOPLE at the American Idol Season 9 press line in Nashville in November 2025, Underwood, 42, revealed that there were early doubts about whether the song’s bold message would resonate with fans.

“I remember even when we were talking about recording that song, it was kind of like, ‘Oh, is this too aggressive?’” Underwood recalled. “Because I was this sweet farm girl on American Idol — and I hope that’s who I still am — so it was almost, ‘Maybe we don’t do this song.’”

Despite the hesitation, the track’s undeniable energy won out. “Everybody loved it so much, we went for it,” she said. “And it worked. Twenty years later, we still see people performing it, and it’s a lot of fun.”

Originally featured on Underwood’s debut album Some Hearts, released in November 2005, “Before He Cheats” was later re-released as a single in 2006. The move helped propel both the song and Underwood into international stardom — a level of success that has endured for two decades.

Underwood says she’s reminded of the song’s staying power in the most unexpected ways, even at home. “I was vacuuming my house and turned it off, and I heard music coming from my bedroom,” she shared with a laugh. “I thought, ‘That’s “Before He Cheats.”’ I walked in and my 6-year-old was lying on my bed watching my music video. I was like, ‘What are you doing?’ And he said, ‘Nothing.’”

Reflecting on her journey — from winning American Idol Season 4 to returning years later as a judge — Underwood admitted the scope of her success still feels surreal. “It’s absolutely impossible to wrap my head around,” she said. “I feel very blessed. I feel undeserving sometimes, but it’s really incredible, and even thinking about it makes me emotional.”

Looking back has become a joyful part of her current chapter. Underwood shared that she’s been revisiting older songs during recent performances, much to the fans’ delight. “We’ve started pulling out some of those songs in our shows, and I feel like people are liking it — and I am too.”

Though she remains the artist fans first fell in love with, Underwood says growth has been key. “I feel like my voice has grown, my musicality, my songwriting, my performance abilities,” she said. “I feel better. I’m at a point in my life and career where my skillset keeps growing — and that’s really fun.”