Carrie Underwood Teams With Papa Roach for New ‘Leave a Light On’ Version for Suicide Prevention
Written by djfrosty on July 31, 2024
Carrie Underwood has teamed with rock band Papa Roach to help shine a light on mental health awareness and suicide prevention. The Academy of Country Music entertainer of the year winner and the Grammy-nominated band will release a new version of Papa Roach’s song “Leave a Light On (Talk Away the Dark)” on Friday, Aug. 2.
“We were humbled that Carrie was open to our mission, and hearing the power of Carrie’s voice in that recording session we were blown away,” Papa Roach frontman Jacoby Shaddix said in a statement. “Not only is her vocal ability unequaled, but the impact of her voice brings a new meaning to our cause and will help people all over the globe. It’s an honor to have a ‘Rock Star’ bring life to this track with us.”
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“I’m such a huge fan of Jacoby and Papa Roach and was honored to be invited to record ‘Leave a Light On’ with them,” Underwood added. “It’s a beautiful song and the message behind it and the band’s mission to shine a light on suicide prevention and mental health awareness has never been more important.”
The song was recorded in Nashville, and both artists’ royalties generated from the track will aid the organization American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). The release also raises awareness for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in the United State and Canada.
Papa Roach first performed “Leave a Light On” in concert last year with Shinedown and Spiritbox, and in each city, the song was preceded by a video PSA delivered by Shaddix, who also pledged to donate to the AFSP on behalf of each city’s attendees, which led to a $155,000 donation at the tour’s conclusion.
To further propel support for the AFSP, the band renamed the song “Leave a Light On (Talk Away the Dark),” to correspond with the AFSP’s “Talk Away the Dark” campaign. The song spent three weeks atop Billboard‘s Rock Airplay chart in February, and reached No. 11 on the Alternative Airplay chart. To date, the band’s efforts have raised more than $250,000 for the AFSP.
“Papa Roach’s ‘Leave a Light On (Talk Away the Dark)’ has tapped into a cultural moment in which people are eager and ready for the message the song contains: that we all go through difficult times and that we can all be there for each other,” said American Foundation for Suicide Prevention CEO Bob Gebbia. “We want to thank Carrie Underwood for joining with Papa Roach to record this new, inspiring duet version, which will reach even more fans and connect them to AFSP’s Talk Away the Dark campaign. We are also incredibly grateful to Papa Roach and Carrie Underwood for their commitment to providing those struggling with their mental health information and resources that can help. These amazing artists are educating the public about the importance of taking care of our mental health, and they are generously supporting AFSP’s mission of saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide.”
Throughout her career, Underwood has regularly dabbled in the rock arena, including covers of songs including Guns N’ Roses’ “Sweet Child o’ Mine” and “Paradise City,” Joan Jett’s “I Hate Myself for Loving You” and INXS’ “Never Tear Us Apart.” She also teamed with Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler during the 2011 ACM Awards to perform a mashup of her own “Undo It” and Aerosmith’s “Walk This Way.”
If you or anyone you know is in crisis, call 988 or visit the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s website for free, confidential emotional support and resources 24/7.