Ended up being a pretty good decision. At this point in her career, Carrie Underwood has already hit legend status in the genre. Along with her 12 ACM Awards (including 3 Entertainer of the Years), eight Grammy Awards, seven CMA Awards and a plethora of other hardware from Billboard, Dove and more, last year, she became the highest-selling female country artist of all time, according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). When talking about Underwood, it’s hard not to mention all the hits. Whether it’s “Jesus, Take The Wheel,” “All American Girl” and “Temporary Home” or her fiery revenge ballads such as “Undo It,” “Church Bells” and “Two Black Cadillacs,” the Oklahoma native has built up a long history of era-defining hits throughout her career. While all the aforementioned tracks may have been big, there’s no denying that “Before He Cheats” has remained not only her signature song but ultimately one of the most popular country song of the century so far. As we all know, “Before He Cheats” was released August 19, 2006 as the fourth single from her debut album, Some Hearts. Upon its release, it would immediately catch fire. Beyond going #1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart for five weeks, it would additionally peak all the way at #8 on Billboard’s all-genre Hot 100. Couple the chart success with a plethora of awards from the likes of the Grammy, ACM, CMA, ASCAP and CMT, and you have yourself one of the most successful songs of the 2000s. However, it’s “Before He Cheats” longevity that truly makes the song impressive as we look back 20 years later. At this point, “Before He Cheats” falls into a similar territory as Chris Stapleton’s “Tennessee Whiskey.” In other words, it’s one of those country songs that have remained a part of American culture, even to those who may not traditionally like country music, frequently being not only a barroom staple but also a karaoke classic. Its longevity popularity-wise has aided it into becoming one of just 23 country songs ever to sell over 10 million units and receive a diamond certification from the RIAA. The most incredible thing about all of it? Underwood almost passed on the song. In a recent interview with People, the 42-year-old singer/songwriter would reveal that she almost passed on the song thanks in part to the “sweet farm girl” image that she had built up following her American Idol win back in 2005, just six months before the release of Some Hearts. “I remember even when we were talking about recording that song, it was kind of like, ‘Oh, is this too aggressive? Because I was like a sweet farm girl on [‘American Idol’] — and I hope that’s who I still am — but it was almost, ‘Maybe we don’t do this song.'” However, it seemed as if everyone in her camp at the time liked the song too much, and she decided to press forward and record the potentially controversial track at the time. And looking back 20 years later, it worked (a bit of an understatement, I might add). Now, with two CMA Awards, two Grammys and a diamond certification from the RIAA to “Before He Cheat’s” name, it’s pretty safe to say that Underwood made the correct decision recording the track. Fire it up before you go. The post “I Was A Sweet Farm Girl”: Carrie Underwood Reveals Why She Almost Passed On Her Smash Hit, “Before He Cheats” first appeared on Whiskey Riff.