Carrie Underwood’s Debut Album, SOME HEARTS, Certified 9x Platinum By RIAA, “Before He Cheats” Certified 7x Platinum

Photo Credit: Chris Hollo
Photo Credit: Chris Hollo

Carrie has added two new career milestones with the Recording Industry Association of America® (RIAA) 9x Platinum certification of her 2005 debut album, Some Hearts, and the 7x Platinum certification of her global smash hit single from that album, “Before He Cheats.”

She was surprised with plaques to commemorate the certifications by Jackie Jones, RIAA Vice President, Artist & Industry Relations at her October 23 performance at the Grand Ole Opry.

Carrie has sold more than 66 million records worldwide, recorded 28 #1 singles (14 of which she co-wrote), and has seven albums that are certified Platinum or Multi-Platinum by the RIAA. In just over 15 years, she has already skyrocketed to the top of Gold and Platinum history with over 70 million certifications. Additionally:

  • Carrie continues her reign as the number one certified Country female artist in music history for digital singles.
  • Some Hearts, which was released by Arista Nashville in 2005 and produced by Mark Bright and Dan Huff, is the 6th, and most recent, Country album to achieve 9x Platinum. Carrie now joins Garth Brooks and Taylor Swift as the only three Country artists to release and certify an album that high in the past 16 years.
  • “Before He Cheats,” written by Josh Kear and Chris Tompkins, is the 11th, and most recent, Country song to achieve 7x Platinum.

Most recently, five singles from Cry Pretty have been certified by the RIAA, including the Platinum-certified singles “The Champion featuring Ludacris” and “Southbound” and the Gold-certified “Cry Pretty,” “Love Wins,” and “Drinking Alone.” All nine of her consecutive album releases (two of which she co-produced) from the beginning of her career debuted #1 on the Billboard Country Chart, making her the only artist to accomplish that feat. 

Carrie’s ninth album, My Savior, was released in March, featuring the beloved gospel hymns she grew up singing in church, which she co-produced with a multi-platinum selling, four-time GRAMMY® Award-winning record producer and songwriter David Garcia.  Her Christmas album, My Gift (Special Edition), was released September 24, featuring three additional tracks, and debuted at #1 on Billboard’s first Top Holiday Albums chart of this holiday season.  HBO Max is currently streaming “My Gift: A Christmas Special From Carrie Underwood,” which premiered in December 2020, a musical holiday special, with Carrie performing songs from My Gift with a full orchestra and choir, becoming an instant holiday classic.  Her hit duet with Jason Aldean, “If I Didn’t Love You,” is currently #1 at Country Radio and she recently collaborated for the first time with Dan + Shay on “Only Us” from the Dear Evan Hansen (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack).

Carrie Collaboration with CeCe Winans Wins 2021 Gospel Music Association Dove Award For Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year

Photo Credit: Jeremy Cowart

Carrie won the 2021 Gospel Music Association Dove Award for Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year for her collaboration with gospel superstar CeCe Winans, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” from her critically-acclaimed album of gospel hymns, My Savior, which was also nominated for Bluegrass/Country/Roots Album of the Year.  Winners were announced by the Gospel Music Association on October 22.  Carrie won her first Dove Award in 2006 for “Jesus Take The Wheel” for Country Recorded Song of the Year.

My Savior was released this past March and the album debuted at #1 on the Billboard Country chart, making it her ninth consecutive release to do so, extending her record as the only artist to accomplish that feat with all nine of her album releases from the beginning of her career. The album was brought to life with a virtual livestreamed event from the legendary Ryman Auditorium on Easter Sunday which was viewed by nearly 2.5 million fans around the world and raised over $112,000 for Save the Children. The My Savior: LIVE From The Ryman concert DVD and television special, which also featured CeCe Winans as a special guest, were released in July.

The 52nd Annual GMA Dove Awards were broadcast worldwide on Friday, October 22 on TBN.  Founded in 1964, the Gospel Music Association serves as the face and voice for the Gospel/Christian music community and is dedicated to exposing, promoting, and celebrating the Gospel through music of all styles.

Photo Credit: Cameron Premo