Carrie Underwood on why she included 'Softly and Tenderly' on her gospel album

Underwood hopes the hymn will "bring some healing to people who need it."

February 25, 2021, 9:49 AM

For Carrie Underwood, "Softly and Tenderly" is a message of healing she hopes to share with fans.

In a behind-the-scenes video about the song, Underwood discusses her connection to the hymn, which serves as the first release off her upcoming first gospel album, "My Savior."

She recalls singing "Softly and Tenderly" at the 2017 CMA Awards during a "very somber moment" in memoriam of the more than 60 people who were tragically killed during a mass shooting at Route 91 Harvest music festival in Las Vegas in October 2017.

"It felt like at the time, that song just brought a lot of healing into the room," Underwood reflected in the video. "I wanted to include it on this project to have it in a more 'done' way. Hopefully it'll continue to bring some healing to people who need it."

"My Savior," the companion to Underwood's Christmas album, "My Gift," features a variety of other gospel songs she grew up singing, including "Amazing Grace" and "How Great Thou Art." The new album arrives on March 26.