"The War Is Over" | |
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Song by Kelly Clarkson | |
from the album Stronger | |
Recorded | 2011 |
Studio | California (Kite Music Studios) |
Length | 3:57 |
Label | RCA |
Songwriter(s) | Toby Gad, Olivia Waithe |
Producer(s) | Toby Gad |
"The War Is Over" is a song by American recording artist Kelly Clarkson, from her fifth studio album, Stronger (2011). Written by Toby Gad and Olivia Waithe, and produced by Gad, "The War Is Over" is a ballad that tells of a resolute ending to a relationship between lovers, in which the woman, after seeing that their relationship is turbulent beyond repair, decides to walk away.
Upon its release, "The War Is Over" received mixed to positive reviews from music critics, whose criticism targeted the song's lyrical content, but also complimented her somber vocal performance. Fueled by digital sales during Stronger's release, the song entered South Korean Singles Chart at number 65. Clarkson has also performed it in limited live performances, primarily in select dates of her Stronger Tour.
Originally titled "The War Is Over (You Don’t Deserve Me)", [1] "The War Is Over" was written by Toby Gad and Olivia Waithe (better known by her stage name as Livvi Franc) and was produced by Gad. Gad first met Clarkson in 2010, [2] in which he recalled, "She's a very strong survivor, and very organic and very real," he said. "You can connect with her on a very human level." [3] Clarkson revealed that it was the first song to be recorded for her fifth studio album, Stronger , which was released in 2011. [4] [5] She explained:
"It's actually one, I didn't write, but it's actually the first song we recorded for this record because everybody loved it. It tells a beautiful story that everybody relates to. Fans will come up to me and they'll be like, oh, I relate that my family or I relate that to an ex or I relate that to my sister in our relationship. Like, that song for me personally has a lot to do with the industry. I'm just going drown myself with people who have the same vision and the same goals as myself. I'm not going to recognize the bashing. I'm not going to recognize the negativity." [4]
In October 20, 2011, Clarkson premiered "The War Is Over" in her YouTube channel to prevent it from leaking. [6] An acoustic version of the track also appears on her debut extended play, The Smoakstack Sessions (2011). [5]
Written in the key of G Major, [7] "The War Is Over" is a midtempo ballad with throbbing drums and various layered vocals. [7] [8] [9] Its lyrics tell of a resolute ending to a relationship between lovers, in which the woman, after seeing that their relationship is strained and incorrigible, decides to leave it. [10] Gad pointed out that song presents a coda to a romantic relationship or to an actual war. He remarked, "That's the underlying theme for her, to vent emotions that we all feel in our relationships." [3] Clarkson also revealed about its musical's content: "I think there’s always going to be that level with me. That’s the type of music I love. I grew up loving feisty women singers. I find a lot of joy in getting all that crap out of your system. I haven’t been in a bad relationship in years. It’s just that I’ve been in a bad relationship, and I think when you’re singing any song like that, you pull from the one thing in your life that you know you’ve experienced." [11]
"The War Is Over" has received mixed to positive reviews from music critics. Sam Lansky of PopCrush compared the song to Clarkson's 2009 single, "Already Gone", he added, "When Clarkson sings, “All I can say is / You don’t deserve me / You don’t deserve me,” it’s hard not to get a little misty." [8] Jason Scott of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer wrote in his review: "Sure, Clarkson demonstrates her haunted soul, but she makes it clear that she's the one doing the walking away. "You don't deserve me," she concludes over the bridge. The thing that makes this track interesting is that Clarkson has taken her pain (and previous breakup songs) and churned out a lyrical improvement and more mature take. It goes without saying that her vocals are on point, and she makes sure to choose specific moments to drive forward and pull back." [10] Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic wrote in his review, "she even dips her toe into brooding My December territory on “The War Is Over”." [12]
Brian Mansfield of USA Today offered a mixed review, he wrote, "You know the bad thing about relationships on Kelly Clarkson albums? Even when they break up, they never end. Either Kelly lets the memory of the guy live rent-free inside her head, or, as is the case here, the guy keeps after her and she keeps swearing she's walking away, but she never actually leaves. It's like the couples are stuck in some eternal limbo where they're never together but they're never quite free of each other." [13] Eric Danton of the Hartford Courant also offered a mixed review: "A stab at weary resignation on "The War is Over" belabors the battlefield conceit, though the song also makes a point it didn't intend to make: Clarkson doesn't need a bunch of lyrical frippery to be great. She's a star, sure, but the one-time cocktail waitress from Fort Worth doesn't seem like the sort to express herself through eye-rolling combat analogies." [14] Jason Lipshutz of Billboard was puzzled about his lyrics, he wrote: "Another defiant track marked by its pummeling drums. The lyrics are frustratingly vague — who are you fighting, Kelly, and why?" [15]
Credits adapted from the Stronger liner notes. [16]
Personnel
Chart (2011) | Peak position |
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South Korea International Singles (GAON) [17] | 65 |
Kelly Brianne Clarkson is an American singer, songwriter, author, 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. 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 debuted atop the Billboard 200. 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.
"Since U Been Gone" is a song recorded by American singer Kelly Clarkson from her second studio album, Breakaway (2004). The song, which was written and produced by Max Martin and Lukasz "Dr. Luke" Gottwald, was released as the lead single from Breakaway two weeks before the album was released. It is an uptempo pop rock and power pop power ballad that infuses electronic sounds with a mixture of a soft and loud pop rock sound. Martin originally wrote "Since U Been Gone" with Pink in mind, but she turned it down. It was then given to Hilary Duff, but she rejected the song because she could not reach its higher notes. The song was finally given to Clarkson after Clive Davis convinced the writers to give it to her. Clarkson decided to add heavier guitars and harder drums to the song after noticing that the demo had an obvious pop sound. Lyrically, the song is written from a woman's point of view where she expresses her sense of relief with the end of her troubled relationship.
"Miss Independent" is a song by American singer Kelly Clarkson for her debut studio album Thankful (2003). Written by Clarkson, Christina Aguilera, Rhett Lawrence, and Matt Morris, with Lawrence serving as producer, it was released as the album's lead single by RCA Records on April 10, 2003, preceding its release by five days. The track was initially intended for Aguilera's fourth album, Stripped (2002), but was left half-finished. Lawrence later continued writing the song with Clarkson, who eventually recorded it.
"Low" is a song by American singer-songwriter Kelly Clarkson from her debut album, Thankful (2003). The song was written by Jimmy Harry and produced by Clif Magness. It was released as the album's second official single, on August 3, 2003, while it was also released as a double A-side single with "The Trouble with Love Is" in the United Kingdom. This release reached only number 35, but "Low" was more successful in Australia and Canada, reaching numbers 11 and two, respectively, while also peaking at number 58 in the United States. The song received favorable reviews from music critics who complimented her vocals and the song's lyrics. On March 5, 2013, Billboard ranked the song at number 90 in its list of "Top 100 American Idol Hits of All Time".
"Walk Away" is a song by American pop singer Kelly Clarkson for her second studio album, Breakaway (2004). The song was written and produced by Chantal Kreviazuk, Raine Maida, and Kara DioGuardi, with additional writing from Clarkson. The song focuses on a relationship that is not working out; Clarkson wants a lover who will support her, not disappear when she needs him the most.
Tobias "Toby" Gad is a Los Angeles-based German music producer/songwriter, best known for co-writing John Legend's biggest hit, "All of Me," the fifth-highest certified single in RIAA history, and for co-writing and producing "Big Girls Don't Cry" by Fergie and "If I Were a Boy" by Beyoncé. Other notable works include "Skyscraper" for Demi Lovato, "Who You Are" for Jessie J, "Untouched" for The Veronicas, "A Year Without Rain" for Selena Gomez & the Scene, "Don't Hold Your Breath" for Nicole Scherzinger, "Love You More" for JLS, and "I Do" for Colbie Caillat.
"Gone" is a song by American recording artist Kelly Clarkson, from her second studio album, Breakaway (2004). Written by Kara DioGuardi and co-written and produced by John Shanks, "Gone" is a pop song about a woman leaving her lover in search for a better relationship. "Gone" was well received by music critics, though it garnered comparisons with similarly-titled "Since U Been Gone". Two years after Breakaway's release, "Gone" charted in the Billboard Pop 100 chart at number 77. Clarkson has also performed the song in concert tours, primarily during the Breakaway World Tour from 2005–06 and the Stronger Tour in 2012.
"Sober" is a song recorded by American recording artist Kelly Clarkson taken from her third studio album, My December (2007). The song served as the album's second single on July 10, 2007, through 19 Recordings and RCA Records. Clarkson wrote it after her friend Calamity McEntire, who receives a songwriting credit, gave her the line "pick her weeds and keep the flowers", with additional writing by Aben Eubanks and Jimmy Messer, production by David Kahne, and co-production by Messer and Jason Halbert. "Sober" is an alternative rock song, with lyrics that use addiction as a metaphor for a relationship, evolving around the line "Three months and I'm still sober".
All I Ever Wanted is the fourth studio album by American pop singer Kelly Clarkson, released on March 6, 2009, by RCA Records. After the controversies that surrounded her previous studio album, My December (2007), which was seen as much darker than her other two albums, Clarkson went on to record a more pop-oriented album. In order to do so, she enlisted her previous collaborators Max Martin, Dr. Luke,, Sam Watters and Louis Biancaniello, and new collaborators, Ryan Tedder, Howard Benson and Dre & Vidal.
"Don't You Wanna Stay" is a duet recorded by American singers Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson. It was written by Andy Gibson, Paul Jenkins, and Jason Sellers. It was released as the second single from Aldean's fourth studio album My Kinda Party, following Aldean's and Clarkson's performance on the 44th annual Country Music Association Awards on November 10, 2010, due to strong demands of radio stations, and was also included on the deluxe edition of Clarkson's fifth studio album Stronger (2011). The song contains elements of country and pop, and its lyrics speak of the difficulties of finding and maintaining love.
Stronger is the fifth studio album by American singer Kelly Clarkson, released on October 21, 2011 by RCA Records. The thirteen-song track-list features Clarkson collaborating with various new producers as well as with Howard Benson, whom she collaborated with on her previous album, All I Ever Wanted (2009). Wanting to stray away sonically from her previous albums, Clarkson's main objective was to record her vocal performances as it is heard in her live sets, and used as little auto-tune processing as possible. The album also marked the first release by Clarkson that did not cause a conflict with RCA; her previous records, most notably My December (2007), were released amidst conflict and controversy.
"Mr. Know It All" is a song recorded by American pop recording artist Kelly Clarkson. It was written by Brian Kennedy, Ester Dean, Brett James, and Dante Jones, with the production handled by Kennedy, Dean, and Jones. Clarkson described the song as a "vocally raw record" and stated that she and her producers strove to record her voice as it is heard at live performances, using as little auto-tune processing as possible. It was released by RCA Records as the lead single from her fifth studio album, Stronger on September 5, 2011.
"Stronger " 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 Jörgen Elofsson, Ali Tamposi, and David Gamson, with additional writing and production by Greg Kurstin, "Stronger " is an uptempo song which 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."
"I Forgive You" is a song by American singer Kelly Clarkson, included on her fifth studio album Stronger (2011). It was produced and co-written by Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins and Andre Lindal, with extra writing and background vocals from Lauren Christy. Musically, "I Forgive You" is a pop rock and power pop song.
"Why Don't You Try" is a song by American recording artist Kelly Clarkson, from her fifth studio album, Stronger (2011). Written by Eric Hutchinson and produced by Steve Jordan, the record features instrumental performances by prominent session musicians: Pino Palladino, Hugh McCracken, Ivan Neville, and Jordan on Drums. Hutchinson originally intended to record the song for his fourth studio album, Moving Up Living Down (2012), but ultimately decided to let Clarkson record it instead. The only known live performance of the song was during Muhammad Ali's "Celebrity Fight Night" charity event in March 2011.
"Einstein" is a song by American recording artist Kelly Clarkson, from her fifth studio album, Stronger (2011). Originally titled as "Dumb + Dumb = You", "Einstein" was written by Clarkson, Toby Gad, Bridget Kelly, and James Fauntleroy II, with Gad handling the production. Lyrically, the song is written in a woman's first-person narrative about her acquiescence and infuriation towards her ex-lover, whom she described in the song as "dumb". Written in wordplay, it uses various mathematical-related equations and topics as rhetorical devices to describe their relationship, notably referencing the German-born physicist Albert Einstein in a metaphorical lyric, which led to the song being named after him.
"Be Still" is a song by American recording artist Kelly Clarkson, from her third studio album, My December (2007). Written by Kelly Clarkson and Aben Eubanks, and produced by David Kahne, "Be Still" is an acoustic folk blues ballad set moderately slow acoustic and electric guitars. Clarkson wrote the song as an introspective ballad based on her exhaustive experience from touring and promoting her second studio album, Breakaway (2004). Inspired by one of her favorite Bible verses, Psalm 46:10, the song is about taking a break from everyday things and taking a moment to appreciate one's life.
"Hello" is a song by American recording artist Kelly Clarkson, from her fifth studio album, Stronger (2011). Written by Clarkson, Josh Abraham, Oliver Goldstein, and Bonnie McKee, with production by Abraham and Oligee, "Hello" is a midtempo rock song about searching for companionship in hopes of not being lonely, in which the singer asks, "Hello? Is anybody listening?"
"Piece by Piece" is a song by American singer Kelly Clarkson taken from her seventh studio album of the same name. She co-wrote the track with its 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 husband's unconditional love for her and their daughter, whom they both promised to never abandon.
"I Don't Think About You" is a song by American singer Kelly Clarkson, from her eighth studio album, Meaning of Life (2017). It was written and produced by the production duo The Monarch, with co-writing by American singer Harlœ and pianist Michael Pollack. The song was issued by Atlantic Records as the album's second single on February 9, 2018.
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