"Invincible" | ||||
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Single by Kelly Clarkson | ||||
from the album Piece by Piece | ||||
Released | May 18, 2015 | |||
Recorded | 2014 | |||
Genre | Pop | |||
Length |
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Label | RCA | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) |
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Kelly Clarkson singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Invincible" on YouTube |
"Invincible" is a song by American singer Kelly Clarkson from her seventh studio album, Piece by Piece (2015). It was written by Sia, Jesse Shatkin, Steve Mostyn, and Warren "Oak" Felder. Produced by Shatkin, the track is an anthem about self-empowerment. "Invincible" features uncredited vocals from Sia, as well as string arrangements by Oliver Kraus. It was first released as the first promotional single from Piece by Piece on February 23, 2015, but then issued as the album's second single to Hot Adult Contemporary radio stations on May 18, 2015 through RCA Records. [1]
I've never gotten to sing her songs before. She writes such range-y songs. We work with the same producers. So we kind of have the same mutual friends.
- —Clarkson on collaborating with Sia with her producers Greg Kurstin and Jesse Shatkin. [2]
During her Stronger Tour in 2012, Clarkson performed a cover version of Sia's single "Breathe Me" (2004). [3] Upon learning of the performance, Sia offered her salutations and revealed that she had been trying to write a song for Clarkson and will continue to submit material. [3] In 2014, Sia revealed that she wrote a song entitled "Invincible" with Jesse Shatkin. [4] And while demonstrating her work with producer Greg Kurstin on NPR, she ended up writing a part of what would be included in the song, which she remarked that no one had cut yet. [4] She, together with Shatkin, who had also previously collaborated with Clarkson as Kurstin's engineer, finished the song towards the end of Clarkson's recording sessions for her seventh studio album, Piece by Piece . [5] Shatkin presented the song to Clarkson, saying "I know you're done recording your album, but we've just wrote this amazing song and we think you could do great on it." [5] Upon hearing their demo, Clarkson decided to record the song, she replied "I think I could too — I want it!". [2]
"Invincible" was written by Sia, Shatkin, Steve Mostyn, and Warren Felder. [6] It was one of the two songs Sia had written for Clarkson, the other being "Let Your Tears Fall". [5] The last song recorded for Piece by Piece, [2] it is a midtempo anthem produced by Kurstin together with Shatkin. [7] The song features background vocals by Sia. [2] Lyrically, it sings of empowerment, telling a story of a little girl becoming a woman with unlimited strength, coming into her own and discovering a sense of self-worth. [7] [8] Billboard associate editor Jason Lipshutz remarked that Clarkson has struck this pose many times, further describing the record as less of a fist-pumping anthem than "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)" (2012) or "Breakaway" (2004). [7] "Invincible" also features strings arranged and conducted by Oliver Kraus, which music critics also construed that it ratcheted up the intensity of the chorus as well as Clarkson's vocals. [7] [9]
Clarkson shared the lyrics of the chorus of "Invincible" on her website before Piece by Piece was released. [10] "Invincible" was first released by RCA Records on February 23, 2015 as the first promotional single from Piece by Piece. [11] Clarkson had also announced plans to release it as the album's second single after "Heartbeat Song". [5]
"Invincible" received positive reviews from music critics. 4Music commended the song as an "empowering belter", [12] while Nolan Feeney of Time praised the record, saying that of all the artists Sia has collaborated with, few are more suited to the spotlight-averse songwriter's brand of "victim to victory" anthems than Clarkson. [13] In her review for HitFix, Courtney E. Smith described the song as having the looks to combine that Clarkson backbone everyone so loved from tracks like "Since U Been Gone" (2004) and the aural architecture of David Guetta and Sia's "Titanium" (2011). [8] Reviewing for Entertainment Weekly , Taylor Weatherby complimented the track, writing that "Invincible" is more focused on reminding fans of the powerhouse vocalist Clarkson is, and that she that her "Stronger" spirit hasn't changed. [14] In his review for Spin , James Grebey described the song as combining Clarkson's commanding vocals and Sia's songwriting prowess to great effect, [15] and like "Heartbeat Song" before it, the track is an earnest and empowering tour de force with a truly anthemic chorus. [15] Reviewing for Idolator, Bradley Stern doubled that remark, saying that the song is as one might expect a pairing between the quirky singer-songwriter and the masterclass belter to be — emotionally earnest and vocally explosive. [16]
Upon its release as a promotional single, "Invincible" debuted on the Billboard Pop Digital Songs chart at number 50 on the chart week ending March 14, 2015. [17] Following its official single release, "Invincible" debuted at number 39 on the Billboard Adult Pop Songs chart for the week ending April 6, 2015. [18] It also debuted at number 26 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart for the week ending July 4, 2015. [19]
The music video was directed by Alon Isocianu and was shot in Los Angeles from April 30, to May 1, 2015. Addy Chan choreographed the video. On May 15, 2015, the lyric video for the song was released. [20] The music video was released on May 29, 2015. [21] Clarkson spends most of the video dancing around a warehouse full of cube-shaped floating lamps, which eventually shatter to reveal women who were previously hiding inside. At first, they wear their pain on their faces, but that pain eventually gives way to happiness. [22]
Clarkson debuted "Invincible" in a live performance on the 2015 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 17, 2015, a day before its street date. [23] She performed the song with The Voice eighth season runner-up Meghan Linsey during the season finale on May 19, 2015 and on the June 3 episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show . [24] Clarkson performed the song at the iHeart Radio Summer Pool Party at the Caesar Palace on May 30, 2015. Additionally, Clarkson debuted the song on the British television program, This Morning on June 5, 2015. In July 2015, Clarkson performed the song on Macy's 4th of July Spectacular on NBC.
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "Invincible" (Vicetone Remix) | 3:24 |
2. | "Invincible" (tyDi Remix) | 4:32 |
3. | "Invincible" (tyDi Radio Mix) | 3:40 |
4. | "Invincible" (Tom Swoon Remix) | 4:56 |
5. | "Invincible" (Tom Swoon Radio Mix) | 3:37 |
6. | "Invincible" (7th Heaven Remix) | 6:45 |
7. | "Invincible" (7th Heaven Radio Mix) | 4:36 |
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
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Region | Date | Format(s) | Label | Catalog number | Ref |
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United States | May 18, 2015 | Hot adult contemporary radio | RCA | — | |
June 9, 2015 | Contemporary hit radio | ||||
Worldwide | June 23, 2015 | Digital download – Remixes EP | Sony | TBA |
Kelly Brianne, known professionally as Kelly Clarkson, is an American singer, songwriter, and television personality. She rose to fame after winning the first season of American Idol in 2002, which earned her a record deal with RCA Records. Her debut single, "A Moment Like This", topped the US Billboard Hot 100, and became the country's best-selling single of 2002. It was included on her debut studio album, Thankful (2003), which entered the Billboard 200 at number one, and also yielded the top-10 single "Miss Independent". Trying to reinvent her image, Clarkson parted ways with Idol management and shifted to pop rock for her second studio album, Breakaway (2004). Supported by four US top-ten singles – the title track, "Since U Been Gone", "Behind These Hazel Eyes", and "Because of You" – Breakaway sold over 12 million copies worldwide and won two Grammy Awards.
"Behind These Hazel Eyes" is a song by American singer Kelly Clarkson for her second studio album, Breakaway (2004). It was written by Clarkson with the song's producers Max Martin and Dr. Luke. The song was released on April 12, 2005, as the second single from the album. Clarkson considered "Behind These Hazel Eyes" as one of her favorite songs and she once intended to name Breakaway after the song. "Behind These Hazel Eyes" is an uptempo song that incorporates crunchy guitars which are pulsated with driving beats and anthemic choruses; it narrates Clarkson's broken relationship with her ex-boyfriend.
Gregory Allen Kurstin is an American record producer, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter. He has won nine Grammy Awards, including Producer of the Year, Non-Classical in 2017 and 2018, and contributed to four songs which peaked atop the Billboard Hot 100.
"I Do Not Hook Up" is a song recorded by American singer Kelly Clarkson for her fourth studio album, All I Ever Wanted (2009), released as the second single from the album. It was written by Kara DioGuardi, Greg Wells and Katy Perry. Perry had originally written the song for One of the Boys, but following her removal from Def Jam, she gave the song and "Long Shot" to Clarkson. RCA Records serviced the song to mainstream radio in the United States on April 14, 2009. The song is a dance-rock and power pop song that is structured upon a muscular arrangement with lyrics about empowerment and healthy relationships.
"Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)" is a song by American recording artist Kelly Clarkson and the title song from her fifth studio album, Stronger (2011). Originally titled as "What Doesn't Kill You (Stronger)", the song served as the album's second single on January 17, 2012, through RCA Records. Written by Kelly Clarkson, Jörgen Elofsson, Ali Tamposi, and David Gamson, with additional writing and production by Greg Kurstin, "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)" is an uptempo song that draws from the genres of dance-pop and electropop. Its lyrical content mainly explores themes of empowerment and recovery following a heartbreak, with the chorus inspired by a Friedrich Nietzsche quotation: "That which does not kill us makes us stronger."
"Dark Side" is a song by American singer Kelly Clarkson, written by busbee and Alexander Geringas, and produced by Greg Kurstin. The song was released by RCA Records on June 5, 2012 as the third and final single from Clarkson's fifth studio album, Stronger (2011). "Dark Side" is a mid-tempo synth-pop ballad that incorporates a vigorous music box melody with up-tempo beats in choruses, with its lyrics containing the theme of acceptance, recovery, and inner-beauty.
"People Like Us" is a song by American singer Kelly Clarkson, from her first greatest hits album, Greatest Hits – Chapter One (2012). One of the three songs recorded for the compilation, it was released as its third and final single through RCA Records on April 8, 2013. Written by Meghan Kabir, James Michael, Blair Daly, and produced by Greg Kurstin, "People Like Us" is an uptempo pop song, with its lyrical content primarily dealing with themes of empowerment, acceptance, and assurance for the eccentrics, who were being dedicated to as "people like us".
"Underneath the Tree" is a song by American singer Kelly Clarkson from her sixth studio album and first Christmas album, Wrapped in Red (2013). She co-wrote the track with its producer Greg Kurstin. It is a Christmas-themed song that sings of gratitude for companionship during the holidays, in which the loved one is referred to as the only present needed "underneath the tree". Accompanied by various instrumental sounds, the song is given a Wall of Sound treatment, along with sleigh bells and bell chimes to create a holiday atmosphere. "Underneath the Tree" was first released to Adult Contemporary radio stations on November 5, 2013, by RCA Records as the album's lead single.
"Winter Dreams " is a song by American recording artist Kelly Clarkson, from her sixth studio album, Wrapped in Red (2013). Produced by Greg Kurstin, Clarkson co-wrote the song with Ashley Arrison and Aben Eubanks for her then-fiancé, Brandon Blackstock, stepson of American recording artist Reba McEntire. A slow-tempo Christmas neo-jazz pop song, "Winter Dreams" features a 50-piece chamber orchestra conducted and arranged by film composer Joseph Trapanese. Its lyrical theme mainly depicts love and escapism during the holidays, in which Clarkson sings about spending her first holiday with Blackstock, to whom the song is also dedicated. Unlike the deep lyrical themes of "Every Christmas", in which she refers to her life before meeting Blackstock, Clarkson had described "Winter Dreams" with a lighter fare, referring to it as her holiday life after meeting him.
"Chandelier" is a song by Australian singer and songwriter Sia, from her sixth studio album, 1000 Forms of Fear (2014). Written by Sia and Jesse Shatkin and produced by Shatkin and Greg Kurstin, the song was released on 17 March 2014 as the lead single from the album. It is an electropop song, featuring electronica, R&B and reggae influences. Lyrically, the song has a melancholic theme, detailing the demoralisation and rationalisation of alcoholism through the thought process of a "party girl". More broadly, the song speaks to the fleeting feelings of release and abandon that come with intoxication, as well as the pain, guilt and emptiness that accompany addiction, alcoholism and hedonistic excess.
Jesse Samuel Shatkin is an American songwriter, producer and engineer. He has worked with Sia, Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Lopez, Fitz and the Tantrums, One Direction, and Miley Cyrus, among others. Shatkin was nominated in 2014 for Grammy Awards as both a producer and as a songwriter. Both nominations were based on his work on the Sia track "Chandelier", which he co-wrote and co-produced. He was also nominated in the Record of the Year category in 2013 as an engineer on Clarkson's single "Stronger ".
"Heartbeat Song" is a song by American singer Kelly Clarkson from her seventh studio album, Piece by Piece (2015). Written by Mitch Allan, Audra Mae, Kara DioGuardi, and Jason Evigan, the song is an uptempo synth-pop track produced by Greg Kurstin. Lyrically, it sings of meeting a person who restores someone's faith in love. Inspired by 1980s synthpop music, "Heartbeat Song" was released by RCA Records as the album's lead single on January 12, 2015.
Piece by Piece is the seventh studio album by American pop singer Kelly Clarkson. It was released on February 27, 2015, by RCA Records. It was her final album under her recording contract with the label, to which she signed after winning the first season of American Idol in 2002. She then made the switch to Atlantic in 2016. The album saw Clarkson reuniting with frequent collaborators Greg Kurstin, Jesse Shatkin, Jason Halbert, Eric Olson, and Chris DeStefano. She also gathered material from songwriters such as Sia, Matthew Koma, MoZella, Bonnie McKee, David Jost, Semi Precious Weapons lead singer Justin Tranter, and former Cobra Starship member Ryland Blackinton, among others. Inspired by the orchestral production on Wrapped in Red, Clarkson wanted all the songs on Piece by Piece to resonate like its own film soundtrack, taking a cue from the soundtracks of the feature motion pictures Cruel Intentions (1999) and Love Actually (2003) and commissioning orchestral arrangements by Joseph Trapanese.
"Take You High" is a song by American recording artist Kelly Clarkson from her seventh studio album, Piece by Piece (2015). Written by Jesse Shatkin and MoZella, the song is produced by Shatkin. A midtempo EDM gospel tune, it is a song of encouragement and escapism, in which the singer lends a hand to the despondent. Musically featuring an auto-tuned EDM breakdown, Shatkin described its sound as "an electronic banger" and "a little left-of-center", while Clarkson commented that it reminded her of the music of soundtrack to the 1999 film Cruel Intentions.
"Piece by Piece" is a song written by American singer Kelly Clarkson taken from her seventh studio album of the same name. She co-wrote the track with songwriter Jennifer Garduno and with producer Greg Kurstin. A midtempo pop song about restoring someone's faith in love and family relationships, Clarkson promulgated "Piece by Piece" as a sequel to the song "Because of You" (2004) but with a "happy ending". After a discussion with her sister about their family life, she introspectively co-wrote the song in a first-person narrative to her father, whose neglect of his family was used as a juxtaposition to her then-husband Brandon Blackstock's unconditional love for her and their daughter, whom they both promised to never abandon.
"Dance with Me" is a song by American recording artist Kelly Clarkson from her seventh studio album, Piece by Piece (2015). Produced by Greg Kurstin, it was the first song written by Dan Rockett after collaborating with Polow da Don in his tenure as a studio runner and an audio engineer at Interscope Records. Originally penned as a David Bowie and Lady Gaga duet, the track was later sent to Clarkson who was recording songs for her first greatest hits album Greatest Hits – Chapter One (2012) at the time. Instead of being included for Chapter One, she later recorded the song for Piece by Piece. An '80s U2-inspired energetic synthpop and dance-pop anthem, "Dance with Me" is a song about dancing and escapism, serving as an invitation and to dance with one another.
"I Am Invincible" is a song written by Brett Boyett and Nash Overstreet, and recorded by the American singer-songwriter Cassadee Pope for her forthcoming second studio album. It was released to digital retailers through Republic Nashville on July 24, 2015 as the album's intended lead single and impacted American country radio on September 8, 2015. Ultimately the song did not appear on Pope’s second studio album. Pope debuted the empowerment anthem at the opening ceremonies of the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games on July 25, 2015.
"Unstoppable" is a song by Australian singer-songwriter Sia, taken from her seventh studio album This Is Acting (2016). The song was written by Sia and Christopher Braide, and produced by Jesse Shatkin. It was released as the album's final promotional single on 21 January 2016. In July 2016, a new version of the song was made for Gillette's 2016 Olympic ad campaign, "Pretty Isn't Perfect", which features a verse from American rapper Pusha T.
"Love So Soft" is a song by American singer Kelly Clarkson, from her eighth studio album, Meaning of Life (2017). Accompanied by another track "Move You", it was released on September 7, 2017, by Atlantic Records as the lead single from the album. It was produced by Jesse Shatkin, who co-wrote the song with Maureen "Mozella" McDonald and Priscilla Renea. A brassy soul-trap R&B anthem, it was promulgated by Atlantic as her introductory record in the soul music genre. Lyrically, it is about wanting to get closer to someone, after challenging him to give respect and protection before giving him a love that is described as "so soft" in return.
Meaning of Life is the eighth studio album by American pop singer Kelly Clarkson. It was released on October 27, 2017, by Atlantic Records. Executive produced by Clarkson and Craig Kallman, the album is her debut release for the label after completing her recording contract and leaving previous label, RCA Records, which she had signed after winning the first season of American Idol. Weary of the structure of the previous record deal where she was strictly limited to releasing pop music, Clarkson wanted to pursue a different genre—soul and R&B music, which she had previously wanted to make and had only finally found the opportunity to do so after being signed by Kallman to the label.
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