One of Carrie Underwood’s biggest hits of all time started with “a childhood memory.”

Underwood has long been known for “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” one of the singles that appeared on her debut studio album, Some Hearts, after her career-launching victory on American Idol in 2005. The Oklahoma-born superstar went on to sell more than 85 million records worldwide, release dozens of No. 1 singles, win eight Grammy Awards, become the most-awarded artist in CMT Music Awards history, and more.

The Grand Ole Opry shared the story behind “Jesus, Take the Wheel” on Wednesday (May 28). The iconic ballad made the list of 100 Greatest Country Songs, compiled in honor of the Opry’s 100th anniversary in 2025. The list was created with input from fans, and the Opry will unveil more of the list throughout the summer. Underwood’s 2005 single arrives in the 2000s era (the Opry has already shared some of the Greatest Country Songs of the 1930s to 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.

“The idea for ‘Jesus, Take the Wheel’ started out as merely a childhood memory. Songwriter Gordie Sampson told his collaborators Brett James and Hillary Lindsey about a story he’d heard as a kid from his aunt,” per Craig Shelburne, the author of 100 Years of Grand Ole Opry. “As she recalled losing control of her car on an icy road, she told him, ‘I threw up my hands and I asked God to take control of the wheel.’ When they wrote it, Carrie Underwood hadn’t yet won American Idol, though it’s hard to imagine her powerhouse career without it.

“Released in 2005, ‘Jesus, Take the Wheel’ spent six weeks at number one, won two Grammys, and claimed an ACM Award for Single of the Year. In 2008, Randy Travis surprised her with an invitation to join the cast. Underwood’s rise to superstardom also inspired future Opry stars Lauren Alaina, Kelsea Ballerini and Carly Pearce, and she remains an iconic voice in country music.”

Other songs that appeared on the list of 100 Greatest Country Songs in the 2000s era include “Austin” by Blake Shelton, “It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere” by Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett, “Need You Now” by Lady A, and more. Find the Opry's lists in broken down by era here.

Kathi Yeager