Blown Away (Carrie Underwood song)
"Blown Away" is a song by American recording artist Carrie Underwood, taken from her fourth studio album of the same name (2012). The song served as the album's second single on July 9, 2012, through Arista Nashville. Written by Chris Tompkins and Josh Kear, who previously wrote Underwood's single "Before He Cheats" (2006), "Blown Away" is a country pop song; the lyrics are about a young woman who locks herself in a storm cellar while her abusive, alcoholic father is passed out on the couch in the path of a tornado. Producer Mark Bright drew inspiration from 1980s music.
"Blown Away"
Upon its release, "Blown Away" was met with positive reviews from music critics, who considered it to be the musical highlight of the album. The song's content and production received particular praise, as critics felt it confirmed the album's darker mood which Underwood had mentioned prior to its release. Commercially, "Blown Away" was successful. In the United States, it became her 13th number one hit on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, and also reached number 20 on the Hot 100. It also charted in Canada and the United Kingdom. It won several awards, including two Grammy Awards, for Best Country Song and Best Country Solo Performance. The song has since been certified 4× platinum by the RIAA.[1]
The accompanying music video was directed by Randee St. Nicholas. Underwood said that when she heard first the song, she already had ideas of a possible video for it. She wanted it to be a dark Wizard of Oz in 2012. It earned her an award for Video of the Year at the 2013 CMT Music Awards. The video was nominated for Music Video of the Year at the 2013 Country Music Association Awards. Underwood has performed "Blown Away" in a number of live appearances, including at the 2012 Billboard Music Awards, the 55th Annual Grammy Awards, and two years in a row at the Country Music Association Awards. It was also performed as the encore of the Blown Away Tour (2012–13).
Live performances[edit]
Underwood performed "Blown Away" on American Idol on May 3, 2012, the week of the album's release. Amy Sciarretto of Taste of Country summarized the performance, writing, "Underwood was elevated on steps as she performed, with storm clouds roaring on the screens behind her. She was bathed in light as smoke billowed at feet."[33] The same month, she performed the song at the 2012 Billboard Music Awards, dressed in a long, red gown.[34] The singer also performed it at the 2012 Country Music Association Awards. Throughout the performance, wind machines were used while confetti flew through the air.[35] In 2013, Underwood performed "Blown Away" again at the same award show, this time in a medley with "Good Girl", "See You Again" and "Two Black Cadillacs", representing the ending of the Blown Away era.[36] The same year, she performed an acoustic version of the song during the 55th Annual Grammy Awards.[37] "Blown Away" was performed as the encore of Underwood's Blown Away Tour (2012–13), along with "I Know You Won't".[38]