Carrie Underwood photo by Matthew Rolston, courtesy of Sony Music Nashville.

Carrie Underwood is country music’s reigning Female Vocalist of the Year, and she got her big break on the pop TV show “American Idol.” But her latest single gives her a bit of a relationship to rap music.

Carrie co-wrote “Cowboy Casanova” with “Jesus, Take The Wheel” author Brett James and Mike Elizondo, whose resume includes work as a musician and/or songwriter for such acts as Eminem, Dr. Dre, 50 Cent and Snoop Dogg. On the surface, it sounds like a weird mix, and that apparently worked in the three writers’ favor, since they felt no pressure.

“We basically didn’t take ourselves too seriously and wrote this song,” Carrie says. “Then it was like, ‘Holy cow!’ Like, ‘What is this? What did we do? This is awesome!’”

That’s the same reaction country fans have had. “Casanova,” with its punchy, big sound, shot into the Top 15 of Billboard’s country chart in a scant three weeks.

“This is bigger than any of us could have even imagined,” she says. “Everything about this song is so much fun, and it’s so strong and female-empowering, very anthemic — just a lot of fun. And, you know, I got a little sassy streak, and I like songs that get to showcase that.”

Carrie will also be showcased on this year’s Country Music Association Awards. She co-hosts the 43rd annual event with Brad Paisley on Nov. 11, eight days after the release of her third album, Play On.

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