In the age of Itunes, music lovers rarely buy an entire CD anymore. We get a song or two from each artist of the singles they release from the radio and figure if anything else was good on the album, it would have been a single too. The danger is that so many fantastic songs that don’t fit the top 40 image get lost to thousands of listeners. Maybe, you grab one song and thing you kind of like an artist, but if you heard more of their catalogue, they could be your favorite!
One of the artists who is known mostly for very specific pop singles is Kelly Clarkson. With four CD releases, you may think you know the best of Kelly after countless singles like “Miss Independent” and “Since U Been Gone,” but Kelly definitely has much more to offer. Here is a list of the ten singles you should download to complete your Kelly collection. Don’t let the first American Idol fool you into thinking she is a one trick, pop-rock pony. She is a talented song writer with a diverse catalogue.
(10) “Thankful” from Thankful: (written by Kelly Clarkson, Baby Face and Mason Thomas) It always helps when an artist writes on a song, to really make it something that is touching for fans. Kelly could not believe how lucky she was to win American Idol and have all of these opportunities. She fought to call her album “Thankful” and to have this song on the record. Gospel infused and cheerful, Kelly uses sassy vocals to bring listeners a thank you for supporting her. It manages to be uplifting without ever been cheesy. Download the song! You’ll be thankful! (Okay, now that was cheesy.)
(9) “Hear Me” from Breakaway: (written by Clarkson, Dioguardi, and Magness) Raw, rock vocals are not always the side of Kelly we get to hear. In this song, we get to hear a harder Kelly with some of the highest belting throughout a song she ever does. Half the song sits around the high E range and she makes it sound like a piece of cake. You will want to turn this one up and belt right along with Kelly. It has a tinge of “Never Again,” but it’s a better song and a more interesting vocal. You will love it!
(8) “Ready” from All I Ever Wanted: (written by Clarkson, Eubanks, and Benson) I love this song. I mean, obviously I love all of these songs, but this one is just up-beat, happy, catchy and pure fun. I love the drums in it and I love when she whispers “come get me.” You will love this song and wonder why you have not heard it on the radio before. You will be ecstatic you stumbled upon it and hum it all day!
(7) “Addicted” from Breakaway: (written by Clarkson, Hodges, and Moody) This is what Evanescance would sound like if Amy Lee had more she could do with her voice than sing loudly in a deceny head range. The verses have a couple of silly lyrics, but the power behind the vocals take such control of the song, that you might not even notice. This is another bridge, that is worth hearing all on its own. Her octave jump just tears right through you. Play this along with “Hear Me” anytime you need to get rid of some angst.
(6) “Be Still” from My December: (written by Clarkson and Eubanks) A side of Kelly you never really get to hear, is one without any big notes or bombast. On her most controversial album, she shows just that. Rarely leaving her head voice, Kelly gives us a much more singer/songwriter vocal that is simple, beautiful, and touching. There is rarely even a single hint of vibrato on this song. The melody is catchy and the lyrics are meaningful. The contrast of sadness with the sweetness of her voice is perfection.
(5) “Save You” from All I Ever Wanted: (written by Tedder and Proal) When Kelly sings about saving someone, the emotion and power and subtlety and strength of her vocals will move you. This song is her best ballad to date. The piano solo in the middle is absolutely lovely and it is lyrically solid as well. Her professional relationship with Ryan Tedder might be over, but let’s just be glad they worked this collaboration in before that!
(4) “Impossible” from All I Ever Wanted: (Clarkson and Tedder) Another collaboration from these two talented song writers! This song has so much energy and such great music on top of some amazing, uplifting lyrics. This song will motivate you to tackle whatever it you have been avoiding head on. Kelly’s pop-rock vocals are at their finest here and you will put this song on everything from your work out playlist to your clean the house playlist. This song will help you get it done!
(3) “Where is Your Heart” from Breakaway: (written by Clarkson, DioGuardi, Kreviazuk) Three lovely ladies, including Kelly, helped to pend this heart wrenching ballad about questioning your significant other’s love. It’s a gorgeous ballad and Clarkson’s vocals go from sweet longing, to passionate begging with ease. It is definitely one of the prettiest songs she’s ever recorded. You’ll want to hear her vocal jumps over and over again.
(2) “Yeah” from My December: (written by Clarkson, Messer, Pardon, and Rinman) Funky, sexy, and balsy are all words to describe the appeal of “Yeah.” Edgier, than most of Kelly’s up-beat songs, I am still shocked this was never a single. Of course, this album was not given the push it deserved. You will love Kelly on the bridge whisper singing sexy lyrics into the big, belting chorus. It’s the most fun she’s ever had on a song.
(1) “I Want You” from All I Ever Wanted: (written by Clarkson & Ahlund) The cutest Kelly Clarkson song ever! That might not be enough to sell it to you, but it should be. A throw back to the doo wop, girl groups of the sixties, Kelly shows us a side of her vocals we’ve never heard before. It’s also a happy love song about a couple who are together and not having any trouble, which is definitely not a usual Kelly Clarkson topic. It’s adorable, catchy and full of life. To me it is the perfect song to play on the way to the beach!
I hope you found some new music by Kelly Clarkson to enjoy!
