Country music superstar Carrie Underwood didn’t always perform as a solo artist. Before auditioning for season four of American Idol, the Oklahoma native was a member of a five-person group called Star Rise. The budding songbird joined the group after Capitol Records failed to sign her to a record deal at 14-years-old after a management change.
Underwood and the group’s other members each represented a different musical style. As expected, Carrie took on the country genre and contributed to the group by covering the Dixie Chicks’ “Goodbye Earl” and Martina McBride’s “A Broken Wing.”
In 1997, a 16-track independent album called Star Rise presents Carrie Underwood debuted. The record featured songs such as “Heads Carolina, Tails California,” “God Bless the USA,” and “Amazing Grace.” A limited edition, autographed version of the album was listed for nearly $700 on eBay in 2015.
Since winning her season of American Idol, Underwood has recorded six albums, with her seventh, Cry Pretty, set for release September 14th! Watch Carrie Underwood perform “The Champion” with Ludacris live at the The Radio Disney Music Awards below!
“The Champion” Lyrics
I’ll be the last one standing
Two hands in the air, I’m a champion
You’ll be looking up at me when it’s over
I live for the battle, I’m a soldier, yeah
I’m a fighter like Rocky
Put you flat on your back like Ali
Yeah, I’m the greatest, I’m stronger
Paid my dues, can’t lose, Imma own ya, ay
I’ve been working my whole life
And now it’s do or die
I am invincible, unbreakable
Unstoppable, unshakeable
They knock me down, I get up again
I am the champion
You’re gonna know my name
You can’t hurt me now
I can’t feel the pain
I was made for this, yeah, I was born to win
I am the champion
When they write my story
They’re gonna say that I did it for the glory
But don’t think that I did it for the fame, yeah
I did it for the love of the game, yeah
And this is my chance I’m taking
All them old records I’m breaking
All you people watching on the TV
You go ahead and put your bets on me, ay
I’ve been waiting my whole life
To see my name in lights
I am invincible, unbreakable
Unstoppable, unshakeable
They knock me down, I get up again
I am the champion
You’re gonna know my name
You can’t hurt me now
I can’t feel the pain
I was made for this, yeah, I was born to win
I am the champion, oh
Born champion, Luda
The C is for the courage I possess through the drama
H is for the hurt but it’s all for the honor
A is for my attitude working through the patience
Money comes and goes so the M is for motivation
Gotta stay consistent, the P is to persevere
The I is for integrity, innovative career
The O is optimistic, open and never shut
And the N is necessary ’cause I’m never giving up
See they ask me how I did it, I just did it from the heart
Crushing the competition, been doing it from the start
They say that every champion is all about his principles
Carrie
I am invincible, unbreakable
Unstoppable, unshakeable
They knock me down, I get up again
I am the champion
You’re gonna know my name
You can’t hurt me now
I can’t feel the pain
I was made for this, yeah, I was born to win
I am the champion
I’m the champion, yeah
Surpassed all rivals
It’s all about who wants it the most (I am the champion)
Fight for what we believe in
That’s what champions are made of
I am the champion
Be sure to share this look back with other Carrie Underwood fans!
