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After more than 15 years into an incredible career, we examine the 20 best songs from pop superstar Kelly Clarkson.  Did your favorite make our list?

Kelly Clarkson released her eighth studio album, Meaning of Life, on October 27, 2017.  Clarkson has had a remarkable career post-American Idol.  Examining back through the albums and the hits, here are the best Kelly Clarkson songs.  This is an update of a previous-penned post, Playlist: 12 Best Kelly Clarkson Songs, which was originally published elsewhere (Brent Music Reviews).

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1. “Since U Been Gone”

Breakaway • 19 / RCA • 2004

Original Ranking: 1 ↔

Somehow, “Since U Been Gone,” one of the biggest hits of 2004, managed to miss no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.  How? Until Clarkson can outdo herself, “Since U Been Gone” will continue its reign as her best song, and biggest hit, ever.  Clarkson took home a Grammy for this modern-day classic, deservedly.

 

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 2. “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)”

Stronger • 19 / RCA • 2011

Original Ranking: 2 ↔

Sometimes, it’s difficult for a pop artist to experience a similar degree of success to a juggernaut (“Since U Been Gone”). But, that’s exactly what happened when Kelly Clarkson released “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” as the second single from her 2011 album, Stronger.  Catchy, feel-good, spirited, it’s not surprising that “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” landed multiple Grammy nominations.  Stronger walked away with Best Pop Vocal Album. The music video has amassed more than 260 million views.

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3. “Because Of You”

Breakaway • 19 / RCA • 2004

Original Ranking: 5 ↑

Breakaway continues to dominate the top-five of Clarkson’s best songs.  As an album, Breakaway spawned the most memorable hits of her career. This is a powerful ballad that ranks among her 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.” The music video is a juggernaut in its own right, amassing more than 235 million views.

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 4. “Breakaway”

Breakaway • 19 / RCA • 2004

Original Ranking: 3 ↓

“I’ll spread my wings and I’ll learn how to fly…” Kelly Clarkson does a superb job with uplifting, inspirational songs.  “Breakaway” is among those, serving as the catalyst for Clarkson’s sophomore album of the same name.  Before “Since U Been Gone” elevated her stardom to new heights, “Breakaway” got things started off right.  Interestingly, the music video for “Breakaway” has amassed more views than “Since U Been Gone” at north of 71 million.

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5. “Mr. Know It All”

Stronger • 19 / RCA • 2011

Original Ranking: 4 ↓

When “Mr. Know It All” came out as the promo single for Stronger, it was more conservative compared to the 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.  The music video has amassed more than 50 million views.  Not too shabby.

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6.“Love So Soft”

Meaning of Life • Atlantic • 2017

Original Ranking: N/A

Feisty, soul-pop joint “Love So Soft” marks the first song on the list that doesn’t hail from Breakaway (2004) or Stronger (2011).  It appears on the most soulful album of Kelly Clarkson’s illustrious career, Meaning of Life (2017).  She shows off mad personality and more importantly, mad vocals.  Her pitch is great, her tone is ripe, and the nuances sublime. The repetitive, biting chorus is modern, in line with the dominant gimmicky pop style of the 10s.  Underrated, “Love So Soft” has still earned Clarkson more than 14 million views at this stage of her career.

 

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7. “A Moment Like This”

Thankful • 19 • 2003

Original Ranking: 7 ↔

Many arguments can be made regarding “A Moment Like This.” Depending on the school of thought, perhaps the record should be placed higher than seventh.  Possibly, it should be placed lower within the stance Clarkson’s best.  Ultimately, “A Moment Like This” is important because it was Clarkson’s first no. 1 hit.  Maybe even more important, it was her winning song from American Idol.  The music video has amassed more than 12 million views.

 

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8. “Already Gone”

All I Ever Wanted • 19/RCA • 2009

Original Ranking: 6 ↓

“Love So Soft” is a perfect example of a modern underrated Kelly Clarkson number.  “Already Gone” may be one of the most underrated from her lengthy career.  It didn’t perform nearly as well as no. 1 hit “My Life Would Suck Without You.” Even so, personally, the overall sound and vibe of the production is just as special, if not more so than the key track from All I’ve Ever Wanted.  The music video has amassed north of 55 million views.

 

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9. “Whole Lotta Woman”

Meaning of Life • Atlantic • 2017

Original Ranking: N/A

“Whole Lotta Woman” is even feistier than the most popular song from Meaning of Life, “Love So Soft.” Chocked-full of bite and a heaping dose of retro-pop/soul, “Whole Lotta Woman” is an awesome look for Clarkson.  Clarkson focuses on herself and in the bigger scheme of things, women’s empowerment.

“I’m a whole lotta woman / (From the way I walk and toss my hips) / I’m a whole lotta woman / (From the sound of my voice to the gloss on my lips) / I’m a whole lotta woman / (Anything I see, I want, I get) / I’m a strong, badass chick with classic confidence, yeah.”

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10. “My Life Would Suck Without You”

All I Ever Wanted • 19/RCA • 2009

Original Ranking: 8 ↓

“‘Cause we belong together now, yeah / Forever united here somehow, yeah / You got a piece of me / And honestly / My life (my life) would suck (would suck) without you.” Simply put, “My Life Would Suck Without You” is one energetic, bottle of fun.  Positive, feel-good, and undeniably catchy, this no. 1 gem makes the rainiest, saddest day happy.  The music video has amassed more than 62 million views.

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11. “Behind These Hazel Eyes”

Breakaway • 19 / RCA • 2004

Original Ranking: 12 ↑

“Here I am, once again / I’m torn into pieces / Can’t deny it, can’t pretend / Just thought you were the one.” Perhaps the best way to describe “Behind These Hazel Eyes” is Kelly Clarkson doing her best version of Avril Lavigne.  In other words, she channeled her inner pop-rocker with awesome results.  The music video for “Behind These Hazel Eyes” has earned more than 46 million views.

 

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12. “Move You”

Meaning of Life • Atlantic • 2017

Original Ranking: N/A

“Move You” is an uplifting, thoughtfully written ballad about moving one another in regards to a relationship. Essentially, Clarkson wants to ‘complete’ her husband and ‘be his everything.’ ­­­­­The tempo is slow, but heavy pop/rock drums add some punch.  Overall, the production is a selling point, including gospel-infused choral vocals, guitar, and strings.

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13. “Dark Side”

Stronger • 19 / RCA • 2011

Original Ranking: 10 ↓

“Everybody’s got a dark side.” Yep, Kelly Clarkson had that right, reminding us of something we already knew. Even so, there was nothing dark about this underrated single from Stronger.  But, it’s understandably underrated, following the likes of “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” and “Mr. Know It All.”  Still, Clarkson has earned more than 31 milli video views on this baby.

 

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14. “Heartbeat Song”

Piece by Piece • RCA • 2015

Original Ranking: N/A 

Throughout her seventh album Piece by Piece, Kelly Clarkson showcases a love for the 80s. “Heartbeat Song” is a prime example of this.  The record checks off the boxes for any great K.C. song – big chorus matching big pipes. Not the crème de la crème of her jam-packed career, but still beastly.  “Heartbeat Song” has amassed more than 65 million music video views, as well as a Grammy nomination.

 

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15. “Miss Independent”

Thankful • 19 • 2003

Original Ranking: 9 ↓ 

“Miss Independent” earned newbie Kelly Clarkson her first Grammy nomination.  It also earned her a second top ten hit, behind no. 1 hit, “A Moment Like This.”  Notably, the song was co-penned by Christina Aguilera. Despite its success at the time, “Miss Independent” hasn’t aged as well as the most elite offerings of Clarkson’s catalogue.

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16.“I Don’t Think About You”

Meaning of Life • Atlantic • 2017

Original Ranking: N/A

“It used to bother me, thought I could never leave / After all that I’ve been through, nothin’ left to prove / No, no, no, I don’t think about you.” Prior to being released as a single, “I Don’t Think About You” was a personal favorite song from Meaning of Life. Kelly Clarkson and ballads are always a match made in heaven, and “I Don’t Think About You” is no different.  Clarkson flaunts her range and overall vocal dexterity.  The high notes are some of the highest she’s recorded during her career – impressive to the highest degree.

 

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17. “Walk Away”

Breakaway • 19 / RCA • 2004

Original Ranking: N/A

“Walk Away” is the fifth song that appears from Clarkson’s sophomore blockbuster, Breakaway.  Like the other four singles, “Walk Away” is a gem.  The problem is, it’s simply less memorable than the four classics that precede it.  Part of that is the product of being the fifth and final single from the album.  Still, “Walk Away” performed well on the Billboard Hot 100. Furthermore, more than 15 million views for the final single of a album isn’t too bad either.

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18. “The Trouble with Love Is”

Thankful • 19 • 2003 

Original Ranking: 11↓

Anyone who has heard Clarkson’s first album Thankful knows that it has more of an urban-pop quality. “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.

 

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19. “I Do Not Hook Up”

All I Ever Wanted • 19/RCA • 2009

Original Ranking: N/A

Typically, artists sing about sex as opposed to abstinence. On her 2009 single “I Do Not Hook Up,” Clarkson opted for abstinence, and it worked.  While “I Do Not Hook Up” isn’t a classic among classics for Clarkson, it’s certainly memorable.  North of 13 million music video views isn’t bad in the least.

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20. “Run Run Run”

Ft. John Legend

Piece by Piece • RCA • 2015

Original Ranking: N/A

“Run Run Run” has the distinction of being one of the more underrated songs of Clarkson’s career. Clarkson is paired with the soulful John Legend on this Tokio Hotel cover, ultimately delivering a radiant, well-rounded performance. No, covers are rarely game changing, and this one is no different, but definitely deserves more love than it has received.

Almost Famous

“Don’t You Wanna Stay” – Jason Aldean Ft. Kelly Clarkson (Greatest Hits – Chapter One); “Invincible” (Piece by Piece); “Never Again” (My December); “Einstein” (Stronger); “Piece by Piece” (Piece by Piece)

Photo Credits: 19, RCA, Atlantic

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