Playlist: 12 Best Kelly Clarkson Songs

Kelly Clarkson just dropped her seventh album Piece By Piece March 3, 2015. It’s remarkable Clarkson has released seven albums – six specifically being studio efforts of new material. Looking back through the albums and examining the hits, here are the 12 best Kelly Clarkson songs – in my humble opinion! 

1. “Since U Been Gone”

Until Clarkson outdoes her biggest hit – which somehow missed #1 – “Since U Been Gone” will reign as Clarkson’s best song, like ever! Clarkson took home a Grammy for this modern day classic (Best Pop Vocal Performance – female).

2. “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)”

Only “Since U Been Gone” can tame this uplifting beast of a record. Catchy, feel-good, spirited, it’s no wonder why “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)”landed multiple Grammy nominations.

3. “Breakaway”

Kelly Clarkson seems to do exceptionally well with uplifting, inspirational songs. “Breakaway” is one of those, and was truly the catalyst for Clarkson’s sophomore album of the same. Look no further than the chorus:

“I’ll spread my wings and I’ll learn how to fly…”

 4. “Mr. Know It All”

When “Mr. Know It All” came out as the promo single for Stronger, it was more conservative compared to material from Clarkson’s previous album, All I Ever Wanted. Regardless, there is something potent about the record, and even if is less flashy, it easily gets stuck in one’s head. 

5. “Because Of You”

Putting “Because Of You” at just #5 seems like an injustice. This is a powerful ballad and one of Clarkson’s most heartfelt performances.

“Because of you / I never stray too far from the sidewalk / because of you / I learned to play on the safe side so I don’t get hurt…”

6. “Already Gone” 

“Already Gone” is quite possibly one of the most underrated songs from Clarkson’s long career. It didn’t perform nearly as well as “My Life Would Suck Without You,” but personally, the overall sound and vibe of the production are just as special if not more so than the key track from All I’ve Ever Wanted.

 7. “A Moment Like This”

An argument could be made that “A Moment Like This” should’ve been higher or quite possibly, lower within the stance of Clarkson’s best. Ultimately, “A Moment Like This” is important because it was Clarkson’s first number hit, and it was her winning song from American Idol.

8. “My Life Would Suck Without You”

Folks, this song is one energetic, bottle of fun. Positive, feel-good, and undeniably catchy, “My Life Would Suck Without You” makes the saddest day happy.

9. “Miss Independent” 

“Miss Independent” earned newbie Kelly Clarkson her first Grammy nomination. It also earned her a second top ten hit, behind #1 hit, “A Moment Like This.” Notably, the song was co-penned by Christina Aguilera.

10. “Dark Side”

Kelly Clarkson told us something we already knew – “Everybody’s got a dark side.” Even so, there was nothing dark about this underrated single from Stronger.

11. “The Trouble With Love Is”

Anyone who has heard Clarkson’s first album Thankful knows that it has more of an urban quality of pop about it. “The Trouble With Love Is” was a single, though it didn’t perform as well as “A Moment Like This” or “Miss Independent.” Even so, it’s a terrific, throwback R&B ballad, and Clarkson hasn’t recorded a song like it since.

12. “Behind These Hazel Eyes”

The best way to describe “Behind These Hazel Eyes” – Kelly Clarkson doing her best ‘Avril Lavigne’ if you catch the drift! In other words, she channeled her inner pop/rocker.

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