Carrie Underwood and Randy Travis Honor Each Other
By now, everyone has seen Carrie Underwood's flawless performance of Randy Travis' 1988 hit "I Told You So" on the Grand Ole Opry. But have you seen his from all those years ago?
It's very simple -- just Travis (looking a lot like Matt Damon, I might add) and his guitar. He sings the song not with a smile but with a more pensive demeanor. And so does Underwood in hers. She's not bubbly, she's not dancing, she's not all over the stage with a cordless microphone. I love that. It's like she respects the song too much to add anything unnecessary.
The best part, though, is the end. Even if you shut your eyes, when Underwood squeals "Ohmygod," you know something really special is happening. That's when Travis sneaks up behind her. And when she notices the standing ovation, she says, "I thought you guys were standing up for me." It's so spontaneous and so genuine. And it gets better. Like when she is just saying whatever pops into her head, and she tells Travis to erase her performance from his memory. To which he says, "That song is far better suited for your vocals than mine. That's a better performance than I will ever do of that song. Thank you. I'm honored."
What is so moving, I think, about a country music moment like this is that Underwood and Travis both seem equally honored. He to have her sing that song so beautifully. And she to have him join her on the Opry stage. Twenty years may have passed between the two videos, but a well-crafted song is always timeless.
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jeff says:
kudos Alison. very well written!
Karen Kurek says:
Carrie and Randy are both countrys finest!! Carrie has done an amazing job on every cover song she has ever done! And the one thing I like about Carrie is that she has so much respect for the other artists who have paved their way in country music! What is so cute is that back in Randy Travis’s day my mom was crazy about him and she loved this song now 21 years later I am crazy over both of them!! This song played often in our home as I was growing up along with all the other artists of country music!! Country music is in my bones and will be till the day I pass!! I would love to see Carrie and Randy perform this song as a duet on the ACM Awards and at the CMA Awards–maybe even the Grammys!! A dj posted a video at youtube.com and he reworked the vocals with Carrie and Randy and turned it into a duet! He did an amazing job at reworking the vocals–Alison check it out if you get a chance–just search for Carrie Underwood and Randy Travis and it should be the first video in the list!! Its had over 20,000 views so its well worth checking out!!
Brenda says:
Alison-what a beautiful outline of that song-beautiful and for once I agree with all you say-nothing practiced on this song and I love Randy and carrie both for each of their talented way they sang the song. So much respect for the song, and as it should be. Thanks again for this great blog.
Chris says:
BEST BLOG ON CMT.com RIGHT HERE!
Glenn says:
Awesome blog and so very, very true. Luv when Carrie first met Randy at a concert they where both performing at in Calif. Carrie was listed as the headliner & was to be last to perfrom, but humble Carrie made sure Randy was the last to be on stage that night. Carrie has also told us that she cried when she met Randy that night.
It was indeed one awesome unforgetable night at the Opry that night when Randy gave Carrie the invite, just one of many Carrie Opry moments I have been so blessed to see live at the Opry from “How Great Thou Art”, “Stand By Your Man” and induction by Garth. March the 7th will be Carrie’s 18th Opry performance and I have been so blessed to see all but one. Nothing else like seeing Carrie in that circle on that historic stage.
Marie says:
This is the best blog I’ve seen. It’s so true. Carrie and Randy are definitely some of Country’s finest. Thanks for a great blog.
Ms. Feathers says:
Well, I guess I’ve been under a rock lately, as I cannot be included in the “everyone” who has seen the video. Tho I wasn’t really looking either.
I DO like Carrie’s treatment of the song - it’s MUCH better than most of her stuff, that’s for sure. If she can stick with this kind of stuff that really pulls out her “inner Tammy Wynette”, she’ll make a lot more fans out of skeptics like me.
I’m happy for her that she’s done such a wonderful job on that song, and Randy is 100% class.
Twangtown7 says:
Normally, I hate it when artists do re-makes of older country songs. But I have to say, Carrie’s version is much better.
BTW, he looks nothing like Matt Damon! Lol…
carrietx says:
Thanks, Alison. You really captured the essence of the mutual respect between Carrie and Randy, as well as the beauty of both versions. I love the simplicity of Randy’s video, and am happy they chose to release a live performance for Carrie’s official video. Both versions allow us to listen to the beautiful lyrics and appreciate the outstanding vocals of two great artists on this wonderful song.
Nancy says:
I almost cried! I never looked at it that way
RedMaZ says:
Nice guitar. Does anyone know what brand it is, and model?
Gus says:
I agree with Ms. Feathers…
I am a big fan of Carrie Underwood, but would love to see her find a great ballad that would become her country signature.
TESSO says:
I would love to see Carrie & Randy perform this song as a duet. The old and new version are both amazing and that’s what country is all about. A home run again….well done Carrie!
cj says:
Awesome blog Alison. I remember this song when Randy first sang it. Now that Carrie sings it I fell in love with it again. It would be wonderful if they sang it together.
dl says:
Well written Alison.
Carrie/Randy at the ACMs singing ITYS = heaven!!!
Swiftly says:
This is such a fitting video for the song, seeing Carrie admiration and respect for Randy and his song. Being able to see all her emotions as she gets the invite. I think it was a very monumental moment which everyone is able to witness.
Not that I thought she had anything to prove but I’m sure that night she really must of felt that she had arrived and is where she belongs.
Great blog!
Twangtown7 says:
The guitar is a Gibson.
BD says:
Thanks for the positive blog! It is great to see the admiration and respect Carrie and Randy have for each other. What a great country song written by Randy. I love this live version that Carrie does. Just a great song and a great vocal performance by Carrie…this song needs nothing more!
Amy says:
For the love of all that’s good in the world,would everyone please stop with all the Carrie talk!? People cry how Taylor is crammed down our throats but Carrie is crammed down our throats just as much. I’m getting tired of going to blogs & news articles when they keep talking about the same artists. There are so many other artists out there that deserve a bit of credit & recognition too.
RedMaZ says:
Maybe you should just leave then. How ’bout that? If you are that weak of a person, it might be the best thing for you to do.
You are correct Tt7. Now…extra point for the model.
Swiftly says:
Amy don’t go to these blogs and articles when you see their names it is that simple, you realize you do come because something in intruging about them.
laurie says:
i love this article for the first time allison i agree with you, very well written, you capture the respect of the both of them and how humble randy and carrie are,.. both from different generations and both are so wonderful in their own way i love this song…and carrie must have been so honored that randy was so proud of the way she sang his song…she got his approval…it doesnt get any better then honoring a legend!!
randy and carrie are the greatest!! =)
Twangtown7 says:
Red, all I know is its the Dove Modern Classic…I think.
Kim says:
What guitar? There is no guitar. So lost…
Twangtown7 says:
Kim, in the Randy Travis video…
bella says:
i love randy but with all do respect to him, i like carrie’s version better i love love her voice…she’s so humble to say,”erase her performance from his memory” they are both great people and both very respectful, to have randy travis proud and for him to say “That song is far better suited for your vocals than mine. That’s a better performance than I will ever do of that song”…
i counldn’t imagine how that must have felt coming from a legend…and he is someone that she idolizes since she was young…what a great moment for her, and what an honor.
they are both amazing artist and i respect both of them for their talents and achievments…
bella says:
randy and carrie are the best in my book…
andrea says:
i hope carrie wins “entertainer of the year”…she represents all the hard working women out there, not to take anything away from men but women have more pressure on them and women never get nominated its about time a women takes the award…
carrie win it for the ladies!! you go girl!! ;)
Dustin says:
amazing blog! Carrie is amazing!
diane says:
I also would love to hear a duet of this song with Randy and Carriw”And those of you who “hate” carrie and Taylor being shoved down your throat on these blogs..The title always says who the blog is about..You have the choice of reading it or not..My choice is to read all I can about Carrie..yours is not..dont read it anddont comment….