See You Again (Carrie Underwood song)

"See You Again" is a song by American country music artist Carrie Underwood. It was written by Underwood, Hillary Lindsey, and David Hodges. It was released as the fourth and final single from Underwood's fourth studio album, Blown Away, on April 15, 2013. Underwood announced the single on her official Twitter account.[1]

"See You Again"
Single by Carrie Underwood
from the album Blown Away
ReleasedApril 15, 2013 (2013-04-15)
Recorded2011
GenreCountry pop
Length4:07
LabelArista Nashville
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Mark Bright
Carrie Underwood singles chronology
"Two Black Cadillacs"
(2012)
"See You Again"
(2013)
"Somethin' Bad"
(2014)
Audio sample
Music video
"See You Again" on YouTube

Underwood debuted the song on the twelfth season of American Idol on April 4, 2013.[2] "See You Again" is Underwood's eighteenth consecutive Top 10 single on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and is also her seventeenth single to be certified at least Gold by the RIAA. As of December 2013, the single has sold 740,000 copies in the United States.[3] On August 10, 2015, "See You Again" was officially certified as Platinum.[4]

Content

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"See You Again" tells the story of moving onwards after experiencing the death of a loved one in life. The lyrics provide hope and promise through Underwood's belief that one will reunite with every fallen loved one in the afterlife. The song's opening consists of a solo piano, followed by a backing chorus and band kicking in shortly after.

"See You Again" was originally one of three songs written for the 2010 feature film The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Of the three songs that Underwood, Hodges, and Lindsey co-wrote for the film, the workers behind the project opted to choose "There's a Place For Us." Underwood pushed to include "See You Again" on her fourth studio album, Blown Away, during the writing process of the album.

Composition

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See You Again is written in the key of A music, with a vocal range from F3 to D5.[5]

Critical reception

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The song has received positive reviews from music critics. Billboard.com described the song to be "truly a taste of heaven."[2] Kevin John Coyne of Country Universe included the song in his personal favorite tracks from the Blown Away studio album in the website's 2012 year-end countdown of editors' favorite Country albums of the year,[6] as did Matt Bjorke of Roughstock for their album countdown.[7] Liv Carter of Urban Country News gave the song a "thumbs up", adding "what pulls it over the line however, and presumably why it has become a fan-favorite, is its sincerity in wishing to bring comfort and Underwood’s confident performance."[8] Jonathan Keefe of Slant Magazine was less favorable, saying that "the chorus of power ballad "See You Again" is marred by dated, campy arena-rock clichés."[9]

Commercial performance

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The song debuted at No. 60 on the US Country Airplay chart for the week of April 13, 2013,[10] and peaked at No. 2 for the chart dated September 7, 2013.[11] It entered the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 90 for the chart dated May 18, 2013,[12] and peaked at No. 34 for the chart of August 31, 2013.[13] It also peaked at No.7 on the Hot Country Songs chart on August 24, 2013. As of December 2013, the single has sold 740,000 copies in the United States.[3]

On August 10, 2015 "See You Again" was officially certified as Platinum.[4]

Live performances

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Underwood gave the debut performance of the single on the twelfth season of American Idol on April 4, 2013.[14] She served as closing headliner at CMA Music Festival on June 9, 2013, and included the song in her set.[15] On June 5, 2013, she paid tribute to the victims who lost their lives in tornados that devastated Oklahoma on May 20, performing the song at the CMT Music Awards and donating $1 million toward relief efforts.[16] Underwood performed the song on May 13, 2018 during an episode of American Idol in which she mentored the top five contestants.[17] The song was included in the setlist for the Cry Pretty Tour 360.[18] Following the passing of Naomi Judd on April 30, 2022, Underwood dedicated a live performance to the singer.[19]

Awards and nominations

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CMT Music Awards

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Year Nominee / work Award Result
2014 "See You Again" Video of the Year Won
2014 "See You Again" Female Video of the Year Nominated

World Music Awards

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Year Nominee / work Award Result
2013 "See You Again" World's Best Video Nominated[20]
2013 "See You Again" World's Best Song Nominated[20]

Music video

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On June 7, 2013, Good Morning America gave a first look at the music video for "See You Again". The full video premiered soon after on ABCNews.com.[21] The music video was directed by Eric Welch.[22] It showed the aftermaths of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, the September 11 attacks and the 2013 Moore, Oklahoma, tornado, along with various reunions, and YouTube footage that includes a Kodiak bear waving.[23]

Track listing

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Digital download
  1. "See You Again" – 4:07

Charts and certifications

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Release history

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Country Date Format
United States April 15, 2013 Country radio
August 26, 2013 Hot/Modern/AC radio[33]

References

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  1. ^ "Twitter - @carrieunderwood: Ok...I am so excited to announce..." twitter.com. Retrieved April 9, 2013.
  2. ^ a b "Carrie Underwood to Debut New Single on 'American Idol'". countrymusicislove.com. March 27, 2013. Retrieved April 9, 2013.
  3. ^ a b c Trust, Gary (December 20, 2013). "Ask Billboard: What Are Your Favorites Of 2013?". Ask Billboard. Billboard.com. Retrieved December 20, 2013.
  4. ^ a b "Gold & Platinum". RIAA.
  5. ^ "'See You Again' sheet music". MusicNotes.com. May 17, 2013. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  6. ^ Foster, Ben (January 2, 2013). "Country Universe's Top Albums of 2012". countryuniverse.net. Retrieved April 9, 2013.
  7. ^ "The Year That Was: Roughstock's Favorite 40 Country Albums of 2012". roughstock.com. Retrieved April 9, 2013.
  8. ^ "Single Review: 'See You Again' - Carrie Underwood". urbancountrynews.com. March 18, 2013. Retrieved April 9, 2013.
  9. ^ "Carrie Underwood: Blown Away | Music Review". Slant Magazine. April 29, 2012. Retrieved May 15, 2012.
  10. ^ "Country Update: Carrie Underwood" (PDF). billboard.biz. Retrieved April 9, 2013.
  11. ^ Bronson, Fred (August 31, 2013). "American Idol' on the Charts: Lee DeWyze Returns to the Billboard 200 With 'Frames'". The Hollywood Reporter.
  12. ^ Bronson, Fred (May 11, 2013). "'American Idol' On The Charts: 'Voice' Finalist Takes the 'Wheel,' Boosts Carrie Underwood". The Hollywood Reporter.
  13. ^ Bronson, Fred (August 23, 2013). "'American Idol' on the Charts: Phillip Phillips' Third Single Debuts". The Hollywood Reporter.
  14. ^ "Carrie Underwood To Debut New Single on 'American Idol'". Carrie Underwood. May 20, 2013. Archived from the original on October 13, 2022. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  15. ^ "2013 CMA Music Festival: Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley Shine Through Storm Clouds". CMT. Archived from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
  16. ^ "Carrie Underwood Plans Emotional CMT Music Awards Performance for Tornado Victims". CMT. Archived from the original on October 7, 2022. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  17. ^ "Carrie Underwood Returns to 'American Idol' for 'See You Again'". May 14, 2018.
  18. ^ Black, Lauren Jo (September 30, 2019). "Carrie Underwood Brings the Wow Factor to Nashville with Cry Pretty Tour 360". Country Now. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  19. ^ Mayhem, Boot Kickin' (May 1, 2022). "WATCH: Carrie Underwood Dedicates Emotional Performance Of "See You Again" To The Late Naomi Judd". Music Mayhem Magazine. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
  20. ^ a b "World Music Awards :: Home". worldmusicawards.com. Archived from the original on June 5, 2013.
  21. ^ "Carrie Underwood". carrieunderwoodofficial.com.
  22. ^ "CMT : Videos : Carrie Underwood : See You Again". Country Music Television. Archived from the original on June 11, 2013. Retrieved June 13, 2013.
  23. ^ "Waving Bear Becomes Internet Sensation". ABC News. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
  24. ^ "Carrie Underwood Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard.
  25. ^ "Carrie Underwood Chart History (Canada AC)". Billboard.
  26. ^ "Carrie Underwood Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard.
  27. ^ "Carrie Underwood Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  28. ^ "Carrie Underwood Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
  29. ^ "Carrie Underwood Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard.
  30. ^ "Best of 2013: Country Airplay". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
  31. ^ "Best of 2013: Hot Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
  32. ^ "American single certifications – Carrie Underwood – See You Again". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  33. ^ "Hot/Modern/AC Future Releases - Hot Adult Contemporary Rock Songs and Release Dates - ..." All Access.