Carrie Underwood and Papa Roach Step Into the Unexpected—A Duet That Crosses Genres, Cracks Open Emotion, and Leaves the Crowd Quietly Reeling
It wasn’t a mashup. It was a moment. Carrie Underwood—queen of country resilience—and Papa Roach—icons of rock catharsis—met in a song that wasn’t built for harmony. But somehow, it held. “Leave a Light On” wasn’t just performed. It was felt. Carrie’s voice didn’t soften the edges. It sharpened the ache. Jacoby Shaddix didn’t roar. He reached. And in that tension, the duet didn’t just surprise—it stunned. Fans called it haunting. Critics called it bold. But in the room, it felt like something deeper: two artists from different worlds, singing the same wound.
This wasn’t just genre-bending. It was soul-splicing
On October 1 in Nashville, Tennessee country artist Carrie Underwood joined rock band Papa Roach during their show to perform their powerful rendition of “Leave A Light On (Talk Away The Dark).” (Photo credit: Papa Roach / Instagram)
The Unlikely Pair Sang The Rock Ballad Together In Nashville
Donning a pair of platform military boots with leopard print leggings and a black dress, country artist Carrie Underwood took the stage at Papa Roach’s show in Nashville, Tennessee.
Harmonizing with Jacoby Shaddix, lead singer of Papa Roach, the two sang “Leave A Light On (Talk Away The Dark).”
The video of their performance, which was shared by Papa Roach on social media on October 7, was from the band’s show in Nashville on October 1.
Watch Carrie Underwood Rock Out With Papa Roach
While the American Idol judge may seem like an unlikely match with the nu metal band, this isn’t their first time collaborating.
“Leave A Light On (Talk Away The Dark)” was originally released on Papa Roach’s 2022 album, Ego Trip. Two years later, an opportunity presented itself for the band to collaborate with an artist for Suicide Prevention Month.
According to Jacoby, the song is about the late lead singer of Linkin Park, Chester Bennington, who committed suicide in 2017.
Papa Roach had previously partnered up with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention regarding the release of the song as a single for the charity. Teaming up with Carrie Underwood, they recorded the song anew in 2024 with proceeds going to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in perpetuity.
Speaking on Good Morning America in 2024, Carrie Underwood provided more insight into their collaboration and the intent of the song overall, saying:
“When they asked me to come sing on this song, I loved the song and I loved their cause — and they work a lot with American Foundation for Suicide Prevention — and they want to help people, and they want to use their life stories.”
Watch Carrie Underwood perform the song live in Nashville with Papa Roach, here:
Listen to their full version of “Leave A Light On (Talk Away The Dark),” here:
Carrie Underwood Loves Rock
Viewers of Season 23 of American Idol will recall that Carrie, to the amazement of all, outed herself as a pretty serious metal fan during auditions.
Kobyn Melton, who goes by the stage name Insite, brought metal to Idol, singing Korn’s “Freak On A Leash” and Drowning Pool’s “Bodies.”
Not only was Carrie enjoying the performance, but she joined in on “Bodies,” proving she had a mastery of the lyrics.
Revisit the fun audition moment, here: