Country music superstar Carrie Underwood has spoken candidly about live performances, saying she finds it disappointing when singers are unable to match the pitch and quality of their studio recordings on stage.
In an interview with Rolling Stone, published on October 18, Underwood reflected on how she learned to sing by listening closely to artists she admired while growing up. She emphasized that she takes great pride in the years of practice and discipline that shaped her voice.
“I love singing, and I’ve always been proud of the work I put in to get where I am,” Underwood said. “Growing up, when I went to concerts or watched my favorite artists on TV and they didn’t sound like the record, it really took me out of the moment.”
She went on to explain that lowering keys during live shows — something many artists do to accommodate vocal strain — is something she personally struggles to accept as a listener.
“When I go to a show and the singer has to drop the key, I can’t help but think: why record it that way if you can’t perform it live?” she said. “That matters a lot to me.”
A collaboration with Axl Rose
During the same interview, Underwood also discussed her recent collaboration with Axl Rose of Guns N’ Roses. The two shared multiple performances together over the summer, including a highly talked-about appearance at Stagecoach Festival 2022.
“I’ve sung Guns N’ Roses songs my entire life,” Underwood said. “I tried many times to invite Axl to perform with me before he finally agreed to join me at Stagecoach. It was surreal.”
A career built on vocal discipline
Born in 1983 in the United States, Carrie Underwood rose to fame after winning American Idol in 2005. Since then, she has become one of the most successful female artists in country music history, earning eight Grammy Awards and selling more than 70 million records worldwide.
Her best-known songs include Inside Your Heaven, Jesus, Take the Wheel, and Don’t Forget to Remember Me. Known for her powerful, controlled vocals, Underwood’s comments have reignited discussion among fans and musicians alike about authenticity, technique, and what audiences should expect from live performances.
For Underwood, the standard is clear: live music should live up to the record — note for note.
