In 2002, Kelly Clarkson became the very first winner of American Idol, but she soon proved to be much more than a TV sensation. With one of the most powerful and versatile voices in modern pop, the singer from Texas grew into a three-time Grammy winner and hit phenomenon. Her repertoire moves effortlessly between crushing power pop, raw pop-rock and emotionally devastating ballads. Vote for your favorite Kelly Clarkson song.
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Since U Been Gone
The monumental masterpiece that redefined pop-rock. The tight verses exploding into a hurricane of guitars and a wild shout-along chorus ('Since you been gone, I can breathe for the first time!') made this a genre-crossing classic adored by everyone from rock icons to pop fans.
Because of You
Clarkson wrote the basis of this heartbreaking ballad at sixteen, after her parents' painful divorce. The cold piano notes and her chilling, fragile belts make it one of the most impactful and sincere ballads of this century.
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Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)
The ultimate fighting anthem about resilience after a setback ('What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, stand a little taller'). The driving electro-pop beat and indestructible chorus made it one of her biggest worldwide hits.
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Behind These Hazel Eyes
One of her darkest and most energetic breakup songs. Driven by a storm of ripping rock guitars and insistent drums, Clarkson refuses to show her tears to the man who broke her heart, culminating in a breathtaking vocal tour de force.
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Breakaway
Co-written by Avril Lavigne for the film The Princess Diaries 2. The dreamy acoustic guitars and Clarkson's melancholy vocals capture a small-town girl's longing to spread her wings and discover the wide world.
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My Life Would Suck Without You
A burst of pure pop-rock energy produced by Max Martin and Dr. Luke. In a record-breaking move, the song jumped from number 97 to number 1 in one week in America, driven by ripping guitars and a chorus bursting with uncomplicated joy.
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Catch My Breath
A euphoric, rousing pop anthem written to celebrate her tenth anniversary as an artist. The song celebrates her artistic survival and independence with sparkling synthesizers and a huge singalong chorus.
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Piece by Piece
Her most emotionally charged and disarming composition. Clarkson compares the father who abandoned her as a child with the partner who showed her what real, unconditional parental love means; a song that moves millions of listeners to tears.
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Miss Independent
Co-written with Christina Aguilera, this track marked her move to a tougher, R&B-oriented pop sound. With fat basslines and confident lyrics about unexpectedly losing your heart to love, she proved she was here to stay.
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A Moment Like This
Her historic coronation song after winning American Idol. A classic, dramatic ballad that builds from a whisper-soft opening to a towering, gospel-like finale, introducing the pop world to her impressive range.
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