Carrie Underwood’s collaboration with Papa Roach is as much about amplifying the lyrics of “Leave a Light On” as it is about creating a great vocal partnership.
It’s an important song.
Not long after releasing the rock ballad originally, the group partnered with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention for an awareness campaign. They even changed the song title to “Leave a Light On (Talk Away the Dark)” to further merge song and concept.
As Underwood begins singing, you can sense how the message will hit country music audiences. Jelly Roll has taken conversations about mental health to new levels with hits like “Save Me” and “I Am Not Okay” (plus his moving awards show speeches). That opened the door for moments like this.
Could Papa Roach have a country hit? Jacoby Shaddix’s vocals pair well with Underwood, and the song is an organic pivot from what fans expect from his group. If someone were to push this to country radio, it’d get some airplay. Underwood looks to be between projects, so why not?
Here Are the Lyrics to Papa Roach (Feat. Carrie Underwood), “Leave a Light On”:
(Jacoby Shaddix)
Dry bones rattle in a lonely soul / Slipped and fell into a deep black hole / I can tell you’re lost, I’m here for you.
(Shaddix / Carrie Underwood)
Wildfires burning you down to stone / Blind eyes, turning from a world so cold / A million miles apart, within my reach.
Chorus:
It’s not like me to worry / But when I see you fading in the dark / I’ll leave a light on for you / Through the long nights, I will be right / There for you if you drift too far / I’ll leave a light on for you, you, you.
(Underwood)
Rain comes following an endless drought / To wash away the remnants of all your doubt / I hope that you’ll see me looking out.
Repeat Chorus
Through the long nights, I will be right / There for you if you drift too far / I’ll leave a light on for you, you, you.
Top 20 Songs of 2024, Ranked (So Far)
New country artists rule this Top Country Songs of 2024 list, but that doesn’t mean traditional country isn’t represented early and often.
Airplay charts, sales data and streaming numbers helped make this list of country music’s Top 20 Songs of 2024, but staff and Taste of Country reader opinion were most influential.
Songs included on previous Top Country Songs lists were not eligible. A song may have been released in 2023, but it had to have the majority of recorded airplay or impact this year to count.
Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes
35 Songs That Prove Country and Rock Music Go Hand in Hand
With Dolly Parton’s recent induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the country and rock genres are closer than ever before — but she’s far from the first country artist to venture into rock territory, or vice versa. Here are 35 songs that show just how great the musical crossover between country and rock can be.
