8 Underrated American Idol Season 4 Performances By Carrie Underwood (‘Alone’ Was Her Best But Do You Remember These?)

Music superstar Carrie Underwood skyrocketed to stardom in 2005 when she won American Idol season 4, and she had so many phenomenal performances during her memorable run on the show. For American Idol season 23, the long-running singing competition series will welcome Carrie as a judge, alongside Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan. Carrie is replacing Katy Perry, who left the show after seven seasons to focus on her own music career again.

During American Idol season 4, Carrie injected every one of her performances with her country music flair, making every song her own. Her best performance was during Billboard Number One Hits Night, when she sang an extraordinary version of Heart's "Alone." After that performance, judge Simon Cowell correctly predicted that, not only would she win the competition, but she'd sell more records than any other previous American Idol winner. Most people point to "Alone" as Carrie's crowning achievement on the show, but, as a Carrie fan from her first audition, I remember and love these eight other performances that also blew me away.

1 "Could've Been" by Tiffany

American Idol Season 4 Top 24 Performance

During her American Idol season 4 Top 24 performance, Carrie sang the ballad, "Could've Been" by Tiffany. This was her first live performance for the audience's votes during the show. Carrie looked every bit the star and dominated the stage. During the love song, she expressed different emotions with her quiet notes and soaring belting, which really conveyed the song's story. Judge Randy Jackson told her that she was a breath of fresh air, and that he couldn't believe that someone hadn't discovered her before then.

Judge Paula Abdul told her that her vocals were open and beautiful, and they'd sustain her in the competition. Paula told her that she'd been wonderful throughout the whole process so far, and she congratulated her. Simon told her that, without question, he always believed that she was one of the favorites to win the competition. He liked that she knew who she was, and what she was all about. Simon added that he thought that she had a presence, and, potentially, a very good recording voice. He concluded by saying that her performance was terrific and well done.

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It was a marvel that Carrie did so well during her very first live American Idol performance. As Simon said, she was a clear frontrunner to win the competition. He was notorious for giving very harsh critiques, so the fact that he gave her so much praise so early in the competition was especially noteworthy. I knew from her audition that Carrie was something special, and this performance confirmed it for me.

2 "Piece of My Heart" by Janis Joplin

American Idol Season 4 Top 20 Performance

For her American Idol season 4 Top 20 performance, Carrie sang Janis Joplin's "Piece of My Heart." In addition to giving an incredible vocal performance, Carrie danced and worked the cameras. Dressed in head-to-toe denim, she looked every bit the country star, and put her own country spin on the song. While the judges wished that she'd stayed true to her country style, I thought that it did feel authentic.

I believe that the judges were way too critical of Carrie, especially because the performance did seem like a fusion of rock and country to me. Carrie is a big rock music fan, and, over the years, she's performed many rock songs in her concerts and at various other events. To me, this was the beginning of her showing that she was a versatile performer, and that she didn't have to be tethered to the country genre. Looking back, I think that "Piece of My Heart" was one of her best vocals during American Idol.

3 "Independence Day" by Martina McBride

American Idol Season 4 Top 10 Performance

When Carrie reached the American Idol season 4 Top 10, the theme was Song of the 1990s, and she chose to sing "Independence Day" by Martina McBride, who was one of her idols. Carrie had previously impressed everyone with the song during Hollywood Week, and this powerful performance showed that she had the potential to be a huge country star. From her beautiful outfit to her gorgeous vocals, Carrie looked like a professional on the stage.

image of Carrie Underwood with american idol judges in the background

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When Carrie yodeled a high note at the end of the song, she proved that she had vocal abilities beyond what anyone else could do in the American Idol competition. Randy told her that he loved her and that it was the best vocal of the night, while Paula added that she loved it when she sang country, and that Carrie felt so natural singing those types of songs. Simon stated that the other performances of the night were similar to ones he'd seen in karaoke bars, but Carrie had the "it" factor. I knew from this performance that Carrie could hold her own with the biggest country stars, such as Martina McBride.

4 "Love Is a Battlefield" by Pat Benatar

American Idol Season 4 Top 8 Performance

When it came time to choose a tune for Songs From the Year You Were Born Night during the American Idol season 4 Top 8, Carrie chose "Love Is a Battlefield" by Pat Benatar from 1983. Carrie came out the gate strong, belting the song in a way that only she can. Carrie sang some of the song in the audience on the catwalk, exuding confidence. She held long notes, especially, her amazing last notes of the song.

During her critique, Randy pointed out that she mixed up some of the words, but Carrie countered that she covered her mistake, which I thought that she did very well. He also once again said that he didn't love her rock vibe, but Paula disagreed and said that she thought she rocked that night. On the other hand, Simon told her that it was a bit like watching a kitten that wants to be a tiger. However, I thought that this performance showed that Carrie was a sweetheart, who also had an edge. I appreciated that Carrie wasn't allowing herself to be boxed into any corners, and that she showed different sides of her personality.

5 "Bless the Broken Road" by Rascal Flatts

American Idol Season 4 Top 5 Performance

During the American Idol season 4 Top 5, the theme was Songs from the Current Billboard Charts, and she chose "Bless the Broken Road" by Rascal Flatts. She began the song sitting on the stage, and then triumphantly stood up by the end. Carrie alternated between sweet falsetto and soaring high notes, showcasing her spectacular vocal range that took the song to new heights. With this heartfelt performance, she proved that she was a gifted singer.

up close image of American idols' Carrie Underwood with contestants in the background

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Randy told her that it was a perfect performance, and that he would've bought the single from her. Paula added that it was eloquent and beautiful, while Simon told her that she sang it beautifully. This is one of my favorite Carrie performances of all-time, and I still listen to it often. It made me forget that I was watching a reality singing competition show, and instead I felt as though I was watching her own concert. I always hoped that Carrie would win, but this performance made me believe it fully.

6 "Sin Wagon" by The Chicks

American Idol Season 4 Top 4 Performance

The American Idol season 4 Top 4 had to sing country songs during a week dedicated to the genre, so Carrie was completely in her element when she sang "Sin Wagon" by The Chicks. The fast-paced song highlighted Carrie's vocal abilities along with her personality. She worked the whole stage and turned the American Idol stage into a country concert.

After the performance, Randy told her that what he loved about her was that he knew exactly who she was, and so did she. He told her that she knew exactly the kind of record she should make, and that "Sin Wagon" was the perfect song choice for her. Randy gushed that she was ready for the record charts, and he would buy her record that day. Paula agreed, and added that they had fun.

Simon told her that her performance was effortless, and he liked that it showed her personality. I was so happy to see Carrie getting such fantastic critiques so late in the competition, and I knew that it meant that she was on her way to winning American Idol season 4.

7 "Crying" by Roy Orbison

American Idol Season 4 Top 3 Performance

During the American Idol Top 3 performances, record producer Clive Davis chose songs for the contestants to sing, and he also served as a guest judge. For Carrie, he chose Roy Orbison's "Crying." Carrie sang an emotional version of the song, and really expressed its story. At the end of the song, she sang some beautifully long notes that really captured the longing of the song's narrator. She sat on the stage for most of the performance, and made the song the star of the show.

american idol stars lionel richie carrie underwood and luke bryan smiling in montage with blue and yellow background

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After Carrie's performance, Clive told her that she did a strong job with "Crying," and she felt and captured the sincerity and the strengths of the melody. He told her that she did it in her own way. Randy thought that Carrie was perfect, and that it was one of her best vocals. Paula said that the performance was poignant, while Simon told her that she sang it really well. I still listen to Carrie's version of "Crying" regularly, and I marvel at how professional she sounded during this performance.

8 "Making Love Out of Nothing at All" by Air Supply

American Idol Season 4 Top 3 Performance

Another one of Carrie's American Idol Top 3 performances was "Making Love Out of Nothing At All" by Air Supply, which she chose. This song showed what a powerhouse singer Carrie was. It began by highlighting her lower register, and then quickly exploded into a power ballad that showcased her soaring high notes. I still can't get over the long note that she held for about four bars at the end of the song.

Clive told her that she sang the song with conviction, and that her voice soared. Randy told her that she could definitely sing, while Paula said that it was a great choice of song, and she sang it brilliantly. Simon told her that she had a good night. After this performance, I felt that Carrie winning American Idol was a foregone conclusion. She was on her way to becoming the global superstar that she is today.

Throughout American Idol season 4, Carrie gave many very impressive performances. From her audition with Bonnie Raitt's "I Can't Make You Love Me," to her final performance of her first hit single, "Inside Your Heaven," Carrie was always the brightest star on the show. I'm proud to have been her fan from the very first note that she ever sang on the show. Carrie will always be my favorite American Idol.

American Idol airs Sundays at 8 p.m. EDT on ABC.

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