At a Glance
- Carrie Underwood nearly passed on recording “Before He Cheats” because she feared it was too aggressive for her image
- The song became a defining hit of her 20-year career after its 2005 release
- Underwood recently caught her 6-year-old son discovering the music video on his own
- Why it matters: The story shows how artists can misjudge their own potential hits and how fans ultimately decide what resonates
Carrie Underwood’s breakthrough smash “Before He Cheats” turns 20 this year, but the country superstar almost left the track on the cutting-room floor.
Speaking to News Of Los Angeles in November 2025 while promoting the new season of American Idol, Underwood said she worried the revenge anthem clashed with the wholesome persona fans knew from her Season 4 victory.
Initial Hesitations
“I remember even when we were talking about recording that song, it was kind of like, ‘Oh, is this too aggressive? Is this too…’ ” the 42-year-old recalled.
She told News Of Los Angeles that her hesitation stemmed from the contrast between the lyrics and her public image at the time: “Because I was like a sweet farm girl on [American Idol] – and I hope that’s who I still am – but it was almost, ‘Maybe we don’t do this song.'”
The internal debate centered on whether audiences would accept such a fiery departure from the persona that had won America’s votes.
The Release That Changed Everything
Despite her doubts, the team moved forward. “But everybody loved it so much, we went for it and it … worked. But, yeah, 20 years later, we still see people perform it, and it’s a lot of fun,” she said.
Key milestones for “Before He Cheats”:
- First appeared on her debut album Some Hearts, released November 2005
- Re-released as a single in 2006
- Became an international hit and career cornerstone
- Still performed regularly by cover bands and contestant
A New Generation Discovers the Hit
Underwood sees the song’s staying power in real time, even inside her own home.
“I recently was vacuuming my house, and when I turned the vacuum off [there was] a noise coming from my bedroom and I was like, ‘It’s music.’ And I was like, ‘That’s “Before He Cheats.” ‘ And I walk in there and my 6-year-old is lying on my bed watching my music video. And I was like, ‘What are you doing?’ And he’s like, ‘Nothing,’ ” she joked to News Of Los Angeles.
The moment underscored the track’s cross-generational appeal and led to her son exploring more of her videography. “Watching him discover that … he started going down the rabbit hole of my old music videos,” she said.
Reflecting on Two Decades of Success
Underwood acknowledged the surreal arc from contestant to judge and global star, telling News Of Los Angeles, “It is absolutely impossible to wrap my head around” the milestones she has reached since 2005.
“I feel very blessed that I’ve had so much support over the years from just so many fans. And I feel very undeserving, but it’s still really incredible, and even just thinking about it makes me emotional,” she added.
The singer has begun revisiting older material in her current concerts:
- Re-introducing deep cuts and past singles
- Responding to audience enthusiasm for nostalgia
- Showcasing vocal growth developed over hundreds of live shows
Growth and Gratitude
While she believes her core identity remains unchanged, Underwood noted clear artistic evolution.
“I feel like my voice has grown, my musicality, my songwriting, my performance abilities. I just – I feel better. I’m at that point in my life and in my career where, in all of those things, I feel like my skillset keeps growing, which is fun,” she told News Of Los Angeles.
The conversation took place ahead of the Season 9 premiere of American Idol, where Underwood now sits as a judge, airing Monday, Jan. 26, at 8 p.m. ET.
Key Takeaways
- “Before He Cheats” almost never happened due to concerns over its edgy content
- The song’s 20-year longevity proves fans embraced Underwood’s tougher side
- Underwood continues to find new audiences, including her own children
- Her career has come full circle as she mentors new contestants on the show that launched her
