Music Metrics Vault

Deana Carter

Data updated on 2025-04-19 21:05:15 UTC
Though she didn't begin her musical career until relatively late, Deana Carter managed to defy conventional expectations and unexpectedly shot to the top of the country charts upon the release of her 1996 debut, Did I Shave My Legs for This? Carter's success was equally unexpected considering that she didn't quite fit into the mold of a standard female contemporary country singer. Melding the popular appeal of country chanteuses with folky singer/songwriters like Mary Chapin Carpenter, Carter racked up both positive reviews and healthy sales with Did I Shave My Legs for This?, becoming one of the most pleasant success stories of the post-Garth Brooks generation.

As the daughter of Nashville studio guitarist Fred Carter, Jr., Deana Carter grew up in a musical environment, and was exposed to a wide variety of music. Fred played guitar for a wide variety of musicians, including Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Waylon Jennings, and Simon & Garfunkel. The music of those artists would eventually seep into Deana's own style, which she hadn't yet formed when she initially tried to land a record contract at the age of 17. Despite her efforts and her father's assistance, Carter wasn't able to secure a deal, so she abandoned music to study nursing at the University of Tennessee. While she was a student, she continued to sing for fun, yet she didn't devote much energy to music.

After graduation, Carter worked in a few hospitals before deciding to pursue a musical career at the age of 23. Learning the guitar for the first time, Deana also began to write songs. For several years, she worked odd jobs as she continued to develop her songwriting skills and sing at Nashville nightclubs. Eventually, one of her demo tapes made its way to Willie Nelson, while another wound up in the offices of Capitol Nashville. Nelson, who remembered her from her childhood, was impressed with Carter's songs and asked her to perform at Farm Aid VII in 1994; she was the only female artist on the entire bill. Within a year, Capitol Nashville had signed Deana Carter to a contract.

Boasting six songs co-written by Carter, her debut album, Did I Shave My Legs for This?, was released to strong reviews in late summer of 1996. By the end of the year, the record had climbed to the upper reaches of the country charts and had made inroads on the pop charts, going gold in the process. Everything's Gonna Be Alright followed in late 1998. In 2001, Carter realized her dream of performing with her father on her holiday album, Father Christmas, which featured her dad on guitar. I'm Just a Girl, a recording that leans strongly toward adult pop, was released on Arista Nashville in 2003. The Story of My Life followed in 2005 on Vanguard. A second Vanguard release, The Chain, appeared in 2007.

Carter concentrated on songwriting after a series of life events kept her away from recording. She signed a deal with Warner Chappell and began returning to Nashville regularly. She and Matraca Berg had co-written "You and Tequila"; each had recorded it without much notice. But when Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter's version was released in 2011, the single hit the Top Five on the country charts and sold over a million digital copies. Since she was writing full-time anyway, Carter decided to record as well. She formed her own label, Little Nuggett Records, and released Southern Way of Life in March of 2014. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi

Genres

: country

Total plays

248.9 million
Updated on 2025-04-19

Country

United States

Monthly listeners

1,455,654

Followers

556,039

Top Cities

  1. United States
    25,697 listeners
  2. United States
    22,598 listeners
  3. United States
    23,147 listeners
  4. United States
    22,898 listeners
  5. United States
    24,084 listeners

Most popular tracks

Track Plays Duration Release date
Strawberry Wine - Remastered 2021
Strawberry Wine - Remastered 2021
188,169,817 4:52 1996-01-01
We Danced Anyway - Remastered 2021
We Danced Anyway - Remastered 2021
27,279,067 3:25 1996-01-01
How Do I Get There - Remastered 2021
How Do I Get There - Remastered 2021
8,936,754 4:10 1996-01-01
Did I Shave My Legs For This? - Remastered 2021
Did I Shave My Legs For This? - Remastered 2021
6,215,119 3:13 1996-01-01
Count Me In - Remastered 2021
Count Me In - Remastered 2021
2,161,529 3:25 1996-01-01
Strawberry Wine - 2021 Version
Strawberry Wine - 2021 Version
1,449,252 5:19 2021-11-05
Colour Everywhere
Colour Everywhere
1,385,880 4:14 1998-01-01
I've Loved Enough To Know - Remastered 2021
I've Loved Enough To Know - Remastered 2021
1,048,710 3:24 1996-01-01
That's How You Know It's Love - Remastered 2021
That's How You Know It's Love - Remastered 2021
930,474 4:27 1996-01-01
Boogie Woogie Santa
Boogie Woogie Santa
887,067 4:16 2005-01-01
Before We Ever Heard Goodbye - Remastered 2021
Before We Ever Heard Goodbye - Remastered 2021
729,912 3:47 1996-01-01
If This Is Love - Remastered 2021
If This Is Love - Remastered 2021
509,541 2:55 1996-01-01
I Know How To Love You Now - Live
I Know How To Love You Now - Live
479,926 3:44 2015-01-01
He Still Thinks I Care
He Still Thinks I Care
473,376 3:43 2007-01-01
Carol Of The Bells
Carol Of The Bells
426,940 3:25 2007-01-01
Love Ain't Worth Making - Remastered 2021
Love Ain't Worth Making - Remastered 2021
418,955 3:15 1996-01-01
To The Other Side - Remastered 2021
To The Other Side - Remastered 2021
346,590 4:12 1996-01-01
You Still Shake Me
You Still Shake Me
343,726 2:49 1998-01-01
The Weight
The Weight
331,081 4:54 2007-01-01
Did I Shave My Legs For This? - 2021 Version
Did I Shave My Legs For This? - 2021 Version
330,164 3:07 2021-11-05
I Know Better
I Know Better
304,460 4:05 2013-12-02
Absence Of The Heart
Absence Of The Heart
285,856 3:31 1998-01-01
People Miss Planes
People Miss Planes
268,884 3:27 1998-01-01
Rich
Rich
231,803 3:56 2024-04-19
Waiting (feat. Dwight Yoakam)
Waiting (feat. Dwight Yoakam)
231,151 4:36 2003-01-01
On The Road Again
On The Road Again
225,974 3:50 2007-01-01
There's No Limit
There's No Limit
186,582 3:29 2003-01-01
Help Me Make It Through The Night
Help Me Make It Through The Night
180,863 4:04 2007-01-01
Good Hearted Woman
Good Hearted Woman
173,594 4:17 2007-01-01
Brand New Key
Brand New Key
169,005 3:18 1995-07-03
Free Fallin'
Free Fallin'
163,974 4:48 1999-11-02
Crying
Crying
149,887 4:39 2007-01-01
Graffiti Bridge
Graffiti Bridge
142,582 3:38 2002-01-01
Lay Lady Lay
Lay Lady Lay
140,205 5:06 2007-01-01
Angels Working Overtime
Angels Working Overtime
140,115 5:22 1998-01-01
Angel Without A Prayer
Angel Without A Prayer
139,181 5:19 2002-01-01
Rita Valentine
Rita Valentine
131,393 3:26 2002-01-01
In A Heartbeat
In A Heartbeat
128,866 3:55 2005-01-01
You And Tequila
You And Tequila
121,817 3:42 2003-01-01
I'm Not Lisa
I'm Not Lisa
100,665 4:29 2007-01-01
The Boxer
The Boxer
95,799 6:14 2007-01-01
Do or Die
Do or Die
95,406 4:18 2013-12-02
I'll Save My Love for You
I'll Save My Love for You
92,809 3:07 2013-12-02
Everything's Gonna Be Alright
Everything's Gonna Be Alright
91,680 5:22 1998-01-01
Love Is Like A Butterfly
Love Is Like A Butterfly
90,415 3:33 2007-01-01
Ruby Brown
Ruby Brown
89,443 4:19 1998-01-01
I'm Just A Girl
I'm Just A Girl
84,073 3:33 2003-01-01
Back in the Saddle (feat. Brandy Clark, Deana Carter, Kathy Mattea & Matraca Berg)
Back in the Saddle (feat. Brandy Clark, Deana Carter, Kathy Mattea & Matraca Berg)
82,193 3:16 2016-02-08
Not Another Love Song
Not Another Love Song
75,008 4:35 2005-01-01
Get Together
Get Together
72,747 4:04 2007-01-01
One Day At A Time
One Day At A Time
64,002 3:19 2005-01-01
You Can't Stay
You Can't Stay
58,030 3:27 2013-12-02
The Girl You Left Me For
The Girl You Left Me For
56,348 3:30 2005-01-01
Waiting for You to Come Home
Waiting for You to Come Home
56,253 3:59 2013-12-02
Wildflower
Wildflower
56,145 4:19 2003-01-01
Make Up Your Mind
Make Up Your Mind
53,748 4:38 1998-01-01
Michelangelo Sky
Michelangelo Sky
50,303 3:53 1998-01-01
Brand New Year
Brand New Year
39,584 3:48 2022-11-04
That's Just Me
That's Just Me
39,529 3:15 2013-12-02
Swinging
Swinging
39,518 4:22 2007-01-01
Old Man
Old Man
38,260 4:39 2007-01-01
I Don't Want To
I Don't Want To
38,188 4:31 2013-12-02
The Story Of My Life
The Story Of My Life
36,210 3:10 2005-01-01
Katie
Katie
34,182 2:41 2005-01-01
Before You Left
Before You Left
34,167 4:10 2013-12-02
Sunny Day
Sunny Day
32,689 5:16 2005-01-01
I'll Be Home for Christmas
I'll Be Home for Christmas
32,360 4:47 2013-12-02
Atlanta & Birmingham
Atlanta & Birmingham
32,344 3:37 2005-01-01
Me And The Radio
Me And The Radio
30,130 4:23 2003-01-01
I Barely Knew
I Barely Knew
29,959 3:26 2013-12-02
Strawberry Wine
Strawberry Wine
29,823 3:48 2020-06-05
Southern Way of Life
Southern Way of Life
29,120 2:55 2013-12-02
Baby Bloom (feat. Deana Carter)
Baby Bloom (feat. Deana Carter)
28,853 3:21 2015-02-10
Emmanuel
Emmanuel
28,824 2:55 1997-06-25
Never Comin' Down
Never Comin' Down
26,088 5:32 1998-01-01
Winter Wonderland
Winter Wonderland
25,338 2:25 2013-12-02
Dickson County
Dickson County
24,620 3:34 1998-01-01
Merry Christmas Darling
Merry Christmas Darling
24,099 3:28 2013-12-02
The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)
The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)
23,739 4:42 2013-12-02
Blue Christmas
Blue Christmas
21,598 3:54 2013-12-02
Coming Home for Christmas
Coming Home for Christmas
21,511 3:52 2022-11-11
Johnny's Snowman
Johnny's Snowman
21,449 3:24 2013-12-02
Let It Snow
Let It Snow
21,311 3:10 2013-12-02
The Train Song
The Train Song
20,854 4:02 1998-01-01
She's Good For You
She's Good For You
20,019 3:35 2005-01-01
Ordinary
Ordinary
18,547 4:15 2005-01-01
Silent Night
Silent Night
18,259 5:31 2013-12-02
Getting Over You
Getting Over You
17,961 3:31 2005-01-01
I Can't Shake You
I Can't Shake You
17,854 3:13 2021-11-05
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
17,463 4:02 2013-12-02
It’s Just Me - Live
It’s Just Me - Live
17,441 3:26 2024-04-12
Cover Of A Magazine
Cover Of A Magazine
17,247 4:39 2003-01-01
White Christmas
White Christmas
16,953 3:40 2013-12-02
Missing You (My Bill)
Missing You (My Bill)
15,449 3:45 1999-01-05
Liar
Liar
15,372 2:31 2003-01-01
We Share A Wall
We Share A Wall
15,283 3:18 2021-11-05
Turn Those Wheels Around
Turn Those Wheels Around
14,310 3:12 2021-11-05
Are You Coming Home Today?
Are You Coming Home Today?
13,895 3:53 2021-11-05
Twice As Worth It
Twice As Worth It
13,759 4:07 2003-01-01
Dream On
Dream On
13,432 4:19 2020-04-03
Goodbye Train
Goodbye Train
13,424 4:33 2003-01-01
Eddie
Eddie
13,172 2:50 2003-01-01
Girls' Night
Girls' Night
12,982 4:08 2003-01-01
Just What You Need
Just What You Need
12,329 3:25 2021-11-05
Don't Let Go
Don't Let Go
12,142 2:23 2021-11-05
Did I Shave My Legs For This? - Alternate Version
Did I Shave My Legs For This? - Alternate Version
12,097 3:27 2021-11-05
Celebrate Life
Celebrate Life
9,810 2:55 2016-06-23
Interview
Interview
8,959 5:40 2013-12-02
Strawberry Wine - Live
Strawberry Wine - Live
2,719 5:10 2024-04-12
You and Tequila Make Me Crazy - Live
You and Tequila Make Me Crazy - Live
2,191 3:47 2024-04-12
It’s Do Or Die - Live
It’s Do Or Die - Live
1,246 4:10 2024-04-12

New releases

Coming Home for Christmas
Coming Home for Christmas
2022-11-11
[American Soul]
Brand New Year
Brand New Year
2022-11-04
[American Soul]
Did I Shave My Legs For This? (25th Anniversary Edition)
Did I Shave My Legs For This? (25th Anniversary Edition)
2021-11-05
[CMCapNash (N91)]
Summer Love
Summer Love
2021-08-13
[UME - Global Clearing House]
Southern Way of Life
Southern Way of Life
2013-12-02
[Red River Entertainment]
Father Christmas
Father Christmas
2013-12-02
[Red River Entertainment]
Father Christmas
Father Christmas
2013-12-02
[Red River Entertainment]
Southern Way of Life
Southern Way of Life
2013-12-02
[Red River Entertainment]
The Chain
The Chain
2007-01-01
[Vanguard Records]
The Story Of My Life
The Story Of My Life
2005-01-01
[Vanguard Records]
I'm Just A Girl
I'm Just A Girl
2003-01-01
[Arista Nashville]
I'm Just A Girl
I'm Just A Girl
2003-01-01
[Arista Nashville]
The Deana Carter Collection
The Deana Carter Collection
2002-01-01
[Capitol Nashville]
Everything's Gonna Be Alright
Everything's Gonna Be Alright
1998-01-01
[Capitol Nashville]
Did I Shave My Legs For This?
Did I Shave My Legs For This?
1996-01-01
[Capitol Nashville]