Carrie Underwood Achieves Career First With ‘Leave A Light On’

Photo byJeff Johnson

There’s not much Carrie Underwood hasn’t done in the past 19 years, but the 41-year-old just achieved a career first. Underwood is celebrating “Leave A Light On (Talk Away the Dark),” her collaboration with Papa Roach, debuting at No. 1 on both the Rock Digital Song Sales and Alternative Digital Song Sales charts.

Proceeds from “Leave A Light On” all go to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), which will receive royalties generated from both artists from the song, in perpetuity.

“It’s a cause that’s very near and dear to Papa Roach and to Jacoby Shaddix, who is the main vocalist,” Underwood told Good Morning America. “When they asked me to come sing on the song, I loved the song, and I loved their cause. They work a lot with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and they want to help people. They use their life story.”

Papa Roach first released “Leave A Light On” in 2023, but were thrilled to add Underwood for a new version of the powerful song.

“We were humbled that Carrie was open to our mission, and hearing the power of Carrie’s voice in that recording session we were blown away,” Shaddix said. “Not only is her vocal ability unequaled, but the impact of her voice brings a new meaning to our cause and will help people all over the globe. It’s an honor to have a ‘Rock Star’ bring life to this track with us.”

It was American Idol, where Underwood got her start, after winning Season 4 in 2005. She will return to the show in early 2025, to serve as a judge alongside Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie, taking the place of Katy Perry, who exited the show after last season.

“It feels like home,” Underwood said on Good Morning America. “There are so many people that even still work on the show that were there when I was a contestant. And I feel like being on both sides of the coin, I’ll be able to hopefully offer some insight and help and kind of offer a different viewpoint.”

Underwood is back in Las Vegas, as part of her REFLECTIONS: The Las Vegas Residency, which was extended into 2025. The success of the show is likely largely due to how she designed the show, by looking at the careers of two of her biggest musical role models: Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire.

“Sharing a legacy of putting on proper shows that, like Dolly’s and Reba’s, are extra — meaning filled with more of the glitz, glamour, extravagant wardrobe and staging that’s a part of our lives already — and tell a full, emotion and vibe-driven story with a beginning, middle and end,” Underwood told The Tennessean. “I’m not just showing up and singing. Instead, I’m immersing the audience in song.”

Underwood is also reportedly working on a new album, the follow-up to Denim & Rhinestones, out in 2022. All of Underwood’s music and tour dates at CarrieUnderwoodOfficial.com.