Kelly Clarkson, Down to you | Music Lifts

In the 37^th edition of Music Lifts (2023), we’re uplifted by Grammy-winning pop superstar Kelly Clarkson performing, “Down to you.”

Welcome to Music Lifts , a column that seeks to highlight songs that encourage, inspire, and uplift the spirit; songs that exude fortitude, positivity, and resolve, even in the face of adversity.  Featured songs aren’t genre-specific; songs may or may not be faith-based. The goal is for these songs to make you feel better – be LIFTED to new heights!  So, for the 37^th edition of Music Lifts (2023), we highlight “Down to you” as performed by Kelly Clarkson.

“A little birdie told me you’re nobody’s friend / And the jokes on me / Well, baby, who are you to underestimate me?” MIC DROP !!! Ladies (gents too), prepared to be empowered! Grammy-winning pop superstar Kelly Clarkson refuses to engage with anyone who is going to bring her down. And honestly, why should she? “Down to you”, the fifth track from her tenth album, chemistry, is all about empowerment.  Ooh-wee – that’s that good, Music Lifts we love, baby! Clarkson penned “Down to you” alongside MoZella and producer, Jesse Shatkin.

“I can’t dance with the devil on my back,” Clarkson asserts in the pre-chorus of “Down to You.” She adds, “Need somebody who can meet me where I’m at.” That’s the truth!  We can do bad all by ourselves without adding someone toxic or devilish to the mix.  Clarkson brings out the empowerment in the tuneful chorus.  Here, she proclaims, “These dark days are knockin’ on my door / You ain’t welcome ‘round here no more / On a different level than I was before / You can’t bring me down to you.” Clarkson, like we all have, made mistakes becoming entangled in mess with him (most likely ex-hubby Brandon Blackstock) before. She will no longer allow it, hence, why she curbed him! In the bridge, we understand why separation, a clean break, was the only viable solution:

“It must be cold in your veins

And now I know you’ll never change

I don’t wanna be your friend

Can’t do that again.”  

Ladies and gentlemen don’t settle for less than you’re worth! “Down to you” speaks to cutting the cord when something is bringing you down. You don’t need subtraction when it comes to love, you need addition! In this case, it was addition by subtraction!

Kelly Clarkson • chemistry • Kelly Clarkson / Atlantic • 2023

Kelly Clarkson, Down to you: Music Lifts No. 37 (2023) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Kelly Clarkson/Atlantic; cottonbro studio, Itzel  Sandoval, Neeraj Nagdeve via Pexels]