Kelly Clarkson - "Stronger" - Oct. 24

[circadian]

I agree, WDKY is in the same league as her biggest first singles, MI, SUBG and MLWSWY, so it could be a pretty big hit, and still is different enough to show a transition in her sound. I'm all for it being released.

[SoMuchToSay]

I didn't know that Greg Kurstin did Animal (the song) on Ke$ha's debut album. Which is my favorite Ke-dollarsign-ha song. WDKY prolly needs to be the 1st single.

[TellMeALie]

Jul 13, 2011 10:32:29 GMT -5 maria4hitz said:

MTV Buzzworthy Blog

New Songs: Kelly Clarkson, 'What Doesn't Kill You' And 'I Forgive You'

Posted 7/11/11 11:56 am ET by Jenna Hally Rubenstein in Celebrity, Music

We don't really like to promote album or song leaks, but in the case of Kelly Clarkson, her recent string of leaked demos have been EN FUEGO, so we just have to talk about them for a minute. In case there was any doubt, it sounds like Kelly's back.

Up first we have "What Doesn't Kill You," which is reminiscent of her rumored first single "Let Me Down." I say this not because they're both female empowerment pop-rock songs with urban-tinged verses and booming pop choruses, but because in both records Kelly sounds like Pink. (FYI, we love Pink so that's totally cool by us.) Like "Since U Been Gone," "What Doesn't Kill You" has a super radio-friendly hook, and we're already singing along: "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger/Stand a little taller/Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I’m alone."

In "I Forgive You," Kelly takes a bit of a softer approach and sings her way down memory lane while discussing adolescent relationships that inevitably went sour. She recalls, "We were just a couple of kids trying to figure out how to live, doing it our way/No shame, no blame, 'cause the damage is done/and I forgive you." If you consider the verse a little vanilla, the chorus is is definitely mint chocolate chip, boasting beautifully layered harmonies. Think Kelly's "Breakaway" meets "Already Gone" meets "Behind These Hazel Eyes."

If these "What Doesn't Kill You" and "I Forgive You" are any indication of her forthcoming release, Kelly Clarkson's about to bring it, big time. We're staying tuned.

buzzworthy.mtv.com/2011/07/11/kelly-clarkson-what-doesnt-kill-you-i-forgive-you/

Wow I am shocked MTV actually discussed this. Awesome.

[jessayli]

Jul 13, 2011 11:32:26 GMT -5 Felicia said:

'What Doesn't Kill You' is ABSOLUTELY MASSIVE! What an incredible feel good song when you're going through s**tty moments after a end of any kinds of relationship. It's universal. It has to be the first single if Kelly wants to come back with a bang! It's her new 'SUBG'.

I completely agree. WDKY FTW!!!

[clarksonnumber1]

With the talk about LMD being the first single, did this claim just start with the first person who played it a while back and it spread or is there legitimacy to this claim? I thought I had read on the Express that LMD is not even in the running for the lead single. I don't know what to believe at this point.

[bigb0882]

From what I saw, it was all speculation and then the few radio stations jumping on board really fired that speculation. I don't know anyone on the inside, though. Just the way it looked to an outsider.

[franklin]

I Forgive You is fucking perfection. I was kinda meh on it at first, but it really grew on me! #obsessed rn tbqhwy.

WDK is still the best though <3

[SoMuchToSay]

The only thing missing in I Forgive You is that last part where it BURSTS into the chorus one more time leading to the end. Granted this one is just the demo, I don't really like how it just ends so abruptly, but it's not like its the final product, so they'll go in and make the changes. I could definitely stand less of whatever that sound is that its making at the beginning and throughout when the guitar is playing.

[neally]

It appears Kelly is still a staple of pop culture in Canada (scroll 0:19- 0:30):

[neally]

I'm obviously late with this but I wanted to throw out my thoughts about the latest batch of leaks, from my most to least favourite:

'What Doesn't Kill You': I honestly am SHOCKED at how Kelly managed to make a pretty meh demo so soulful and powerful. The verses are very well-written but the choruses are reminiscent of an 90s R&B or euro-dance track, something along the lines of Anastacia. Her vibratto is just INCREDIBLE, such as during the choruses where she shouts "stronger" and "longer" with the crazy G5+ background harmonies. In addition, the stand-alone background vocals are spine-chilling, IMO and I hope that we get to hear this in HQ just for those vocals alone. During the verses, her uber-confident vocals streamroll right through the heavy production. Speaking of, the production seems finished and bolsters the song brilliantly. My only complaint is the bridge: I don't like the first two lines "thanks to you...", and the missed climax of the song is a let-down during "beginning....in the end". This should be a single, if not the lead single, for this era, IMO. Given Lady Gaga's 'Born This Way' was as successful as it was, 'Kill' should fare better, IMO, even without the big name and hype of Lady Gaga. **WORKOUT JAM** A

'Tell Me A Lie'- this has been my first or second favourite of the uptempo leaks, along with 'You Can't Win' and has been a staple on my playlist for my evening runs for months now. She has this uncanny way of being able to emote a mourning, yearnful, yet powerful vocal. The raw, unprocessed vocals earn extra points from me. The production is perfect- not too heavy and the ending "Ohs" are incredible, IMO. As above, my only compliant is the weak bridge, where she only repeats "tell me a lie" over and over with a climax of the same in a higher register: wasted opportunity, IMO. Definitely single-worthy. A-

'Let Me Down'- I already threw my 2 cent$ on this one. Bottom-line for me: Sounds like a porn-flick during the first few seconds very sexy, gritty lower register, average choruses, great lyrics, and KILLER bridge. Her vocal tone during the softer part of the bridge is so gorgeous and has the "double voice" effect- it sounds almost auto-tuned, but it probably is not, because she regularly creates this sound live like no other vocalist today with such proficiency. As it stands, this song is a definite album track and would support the album well as 2nd + single. B

'Dumb + Dumb= You'- Looking past the horrid title, I immediately thought this song belonged on the 'Thankful' album (very sonically similar to 'You Thought Wrong'). I hate to admit that the hook is actually stuck in my head, the lyrics are deliberately mean, but actually are not that bad minus the "dumb" and "simple math I love divided by the square root of pride multiply your lies plus time I'm going out of my mind". The latter "equation" reads even funnier, LMAO. The songs seems to end too abruptly for some reason. I do want a song on the upcoming record that showcases these R&B-influenced, smokey vocals and melisma with a strong hook, like this song. Could be an album track, but hopefully not single. B-/C+

'I Forgive You'- I immediately was put off by the opening where she repeats the first line, "I forgive you, I forgive me, now when do I start to feel again". After getting over that, I feel that the verses strangely fall into the choruses, without a pre-chorus buildup. The choruses are HUGE, pop-rock anthem-esque,- classic 'Breakaway' trademark Kelly, well-suited for radio. However I feel that lyrically-speaking, only the choruses and bridge are of good quality. I do like the toned-down production during the very beginning of the final chorus, which showcases her vocals without the unnecessary processing/adulteration that some producers should be thrown behind bars for. Again, maybe an album track, but definitely not single-worthy. C

[crdubb17]

Just a few things:
Dumb + Dumb = U sounds like something Tamyra might've wrote for Thankful, just the feel gives me that "You Thought Wrong vibe"

Is WDKY recent? B/c her tone and adlibs don't sound current.

What is the objection to Kelly doing Max/Luke songs? I feel like the records they give her are always the best they have (they don't seem like Katy/Ke$ha copies) and Kelly just sounds so clear and polished over the tracks. I guess its just a matter of preference to her tone b/c she has a more grittier tone on a lot of her other material.

Am I the only one who pefer

[bigb0882]

I also agree that they missed the mark on the bridge with WDKY. I still love the song but there was an opportunity to put in a killer note, the song is such a jam that is screams for that moment. I know not every song she sings needs a huge note just because she can do it but this one begs for it. I wish they would go in and re-record that part of the song but I seriously doubt they do.

[kellyclarkstan]

A clip of Dark Side leaked and it sounds wonderful!

[Nicolexo]

Dark Side and Breaking Your Own Heart leaked in full.

[Illusions]

Dark Side is amazing...don't care for the other one.

[kellyclarkstan]

Love 'em both to death

[ƒreakshow]

I just typed these up really quickly for the occasion.

Dark Side is incredible. I am blown away by how good this song is, I think it's the crown jewel of all the leaks we've recently gotten. It reminds me of a faster, uptempo version of DEGUOM. The bridge gave me chills when I first listened, the way she sings "don't run away...promise me you will stay" is so powerful. This is by far and away my favorite. Honestly, this song is incredible.

You're Breaking Your Own Heart is pretty. It reminds me of Cry at the beginning, but it doesn't get as loud and annoying as Cry does. This has to be one of the cuntry-influenced songs Kelly was talking about. I don't know if I'd want this on the album, it doesn't fit with the rest of the leaks that well.

Chris, control your girlfriend. She's at it again.

[Hook]

Jul 14, 2011 18:10:56 GMT -5 Nicolexo said:

Dark Side and Breaking Your Own Heart leaked in full.

It was only a matter of time! I think they're both great songs. Better than the others that leaked already tbh (except LMD which is my fave).

[Illusions]

Jul 14, 2011 18:16:21 GMT -5 ƒreakshow said:

You're Breaking Your Own Heart is pretty. It reminds me of Cry at the beginning, but it doesn't get as loud and annoying as Cry does. This has to be one of the c**try-influenced songs Kelly was talking about. I don't know if I'd want this on the album, it doesn't fit with the rest of the leaks that well.

Chris, control your girlfriend. She's at it again.

It reminds me more of the live version, tbh.

Yep.

[Peaches. [Ch, r. is]]

Jul 14, 2011 18:16:21 GMT -5 ƒreakshow said:

Chris, control your girlfriend. She's at it again.

[Hook]

Jul 14, 2011 18:16:21 GMT -5 ƒreakshow said:

You're Breaking Your Own Heart is pretty. It reminds me of Cry at the beginning, but it doesn't get as loud and annoying as Cry does. This has to be one of the c**try-influenced songs Kelly was talking about. I don't know if I'd want this on the album, it doesn't fit with the rest of the leaks that well.

I agree! I don't think many people will like this comparison, but BYOH kind of reminds me of a Lady Antebellum song where Hillary sings the lead. Obviously Kelly's vocals are far stronger, but the type of song and all. I like it a lot.

[kmbgs]

I AM SO SICK OF THESE LEAKS GODDAMMIT

[beelzebub666]

Kelly is lucky to have such great fans.

[ƒreakshow]

Y'all are #FakeFans if you listen to leaks, just like you are if you don't like My December. Kelly hates you all.

[Deleted]

Jul 14, 2011 18:33:17 GMT -5 beelzebub666 said:

Kelly is lucky to have such great fans.

Kelly has great fans, it's RCA that is the problem here. They are obviously careless about Kelly's music, which is just sad.

[Peaches. [Ch, r. is]]

OMG! Let's not play the blame game.

[beelzebub666]

We better be careful or we might get insulted on someone's blog.

[Illusions]

Jul 14, 2011 18:41:43 GMT -5 Peaches. [Ch, r. is] said:

OMG! Let's not play the blame game.

and the #fakestan game (not talking to you freakshow )

[Peaches. [Ch, r. is]]

Why is she so cute?

[wallace]

Wilford Brimley said it right, in Absence of Malice:

Youhad a leak? You call what's goin' on around here a leak? Boy, the last time there was a leak like this, Noah built hisself a boat.

We can't have people go around leaking stuff for their own reasons. It ain't legal. And worse than that, by God it ain't right.