Praying For Time

Carrie Underwood, Season Four American Idol winner, performed a stunning rendition of the George Michael 1990 classic "Praying For Time" on the 2008 Idol Gives Back special. A thought provoking song about political and social injustice, it remains one his most critically acclaimed songs, and my personal favourite. It became George's 9th US number one. Interestingly, George refused to star in the video. Instead, a video was made featuring just the lyrics to the song. Maybe this was his way of making sure people didn't get distracted from the song's message.

Carrie's live version reached #27 on the US charts. Her debut album Some Hearts (2005) was certified 7x platinum and is the fastest selling debut country album in Nielsen SoundScan history. It also became the best-selling solo female country debut in RIAA history, as well as the top selling album of any American Idol contestant in the United States (the second being, of course, Kelly Clarkson's 2004 album Breakaway).