"Before He Cheats" is a song written by Muscle Shoals songwriter Chris Tompkins and Josh Kear and the third wide-release single from Carrie Underwood's debut album, Some Hearts. It was the fifth release from the album overall. It was named the 2007 Single of the Year by the Country Music Association. It is the Underwood's most successful single to date, with sales of over 2.131 million digital downloads. It is also the best-selling single from an American Idol contestant, and the third longest-charting single in the history of the Hot 100. The single is largely credited with expanding Underwood's popularity beyond the country music market.