REVIEW: Carrie Underwood’s “Good Girl”

Ted Efron — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 08:51:36 +0000

When it comes to Carrie Underwood songs, you could classify them into two categories: “Lace Carrie” who sings sweet songs like “Don’t Forget To Remember Me,” “Temporary Home” and “Mama’s Song.” Then there’s “Leather Carrie” who is more rockin’ with songs like “Before He Cheats,” “Cowboy Casanova” and “Undo It.”

With “Good Girl” Carrie breaks out the leather — with studs.

The song leaves little doubt where it’s going to take us from the very beginning with its rock guitar licks, head-nodding drum beat and contagious hand-clapping. Then Carrie kicks in. Or maybe better stated: she kicks it in! Her delivery is smart, strong and sometimes even snarling. There aren’t any of those long, powerful vocal moments that will bring everybody out of their seats when she sings it live in concert. That’s okay as the song will already have people on their feet. Besides, Carrie doesn’t need any of those “Mariah Carey” moments to prove her vocal power. Her voice is in a class all by itself. She’s so good, it would be easy to take her for granted. It would be a sad day if that ever were to happen.

The song tells a cautionary tale to the “Good Girl” who is doesn’t realize she’s with a bad guy.

His lips are drippin’ honey, but he’ll sting you like a bee/So lock up all your lovin’, go and throw away the key/Hey, good girl/Get out while you can/I know you think you’ve got a good man.

She delivers the truth with a clever double-use of the words “good girl”:

Why you gotta be so blind?/Won’t you open up your eyes?/It’s just a matter of time ’til you find/He’s no good, girl.

Carrie co-wrote the song along with Chris DeStefano and Ashley Gorley. If history is any indicator, the collaboration with Gorley means great things for “Good Girl.” Gorley co-wrote two previous songs for Carrie: “All-American Girl” and “Don’t Forget To Remember Me.” Those songs charted on Billboard at #1 and #2, respectively. “Good Girl” is produced by Mark Bright, who produced her two previous albums as well as seven tracks from her debut album Some Hearts.

“Good Girl” is on Country radio right now. Carrie’s still untitled fourth album is due out May 1st.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Keepin' it Country Media & Radio » Chris DeStefano

REVIEW: Carrie Underwood’s “Good Girl”