Kelly Clarkson, me | Track Review 🎵

Grammy-winning pop superstar Kelly Clarkson shines on “me,” the liberated second single from her tenth album, chemistry.

“Buried myself into somebody else / Shout out some parts of me, did it so casually.” Oh, snap 🫰! 🎙 Kelly Clarkson is being honest, open, and incredibly vulnerable on 🎵 “me”. “Me” marks the second single from 💿 chemistry, the tenth studio album by the 🏆 Grammy-winning, pop superstar.  Clarkson penned “me” with 🎼 ✍ GAYLE and Josh Ronen, while 🎛 Jason Halbert and Jesse Shatkin produce.  The resulting single is a nice follow-up to Clarkson’s first single from chemistry, 🎵 “mine”.

Like “mine” that precedes it, “me” begins abruptly. Clarkson sings with a warm, reflective tone.  The palette of sounds supporting her initially are sweet: synths and keys. There is a great build-up – percolation – to the powerful, liberated chorus.

“I don’t need somebody to hold me

Don’t need somebody to love me

Don’t need somebody to pick these pieces up

I put together my broken

Let go of the pain I’ve been holdin’

Don’t need to need somebody

When I got me.”

Such empowerment and freedom! She doesn’t need a man! Additionally, in the chorus, there is nice use of choral backing vocals accentuating Clarkson’s emotional lead. The second verse adds a beat and has a more traditional sound. Notably, there are impressive ad-libs during the second verse, reflecting Clarkson’s feelings. As for the second chorus, it is absolutely stunning – Kelly at her best.  Likewise, the bridge – “I bet you feel the absence of my love every night / There’s no one else, you are the reason I said goodbye” – is sweet too. Shout out the vocal range that Clarkson flaunts, like the queen that she is 👸!

Final Thoughts 💭

Kelly Clarkson remains the real deal.  🎵 “Me” marks another fine showing released in advance of 💿 chemistry.  Why is the record a success? Marvelous vocals, authentic songwriting and theme, and picturesque production.  “Me” is beautiful.

via GIPHY

🎙 Kelly Clarkson • 💿 chemistry • 🏷 Kelly Clarkson / Atlantic • 🗓 6.23.23

[📷: Brent Faulkner/The Musical Hype; Kelly Clarkson / Atlantic; OpenClipart-Vectors, PIRO via Pixabay]