Whoa, Kelly Clarkson Originally Wasn’t Meant To Sing One Of Her Biggest Hit Songs (2023)

• Kelly Clarkson is back hosting the Billboard Music Awards for the second time on May 1.
• She first became a national singing sensation when she won American Idol in 2002 and currently is a judge on The Voice.
• Over the last 17 years, Kelly Clarkson has released tons of hit songs that have made it to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 Chart.

ICYMI, Kelly Clarkson is hosting the Billboard Music Awards for a second time on May 1, and die-hard fans certainly aren't surprised. She's come a long way since winning the first season of American Idol in 2002 (OMG, it's been that long?!) and is currently killing it as a judge on The Voice.

During that time, her music has run the gamut of genres, covering everything from pop to country and R&B. So if you're counting down the days until the Billboard Awards (same), you might wanna start creating a playlist to get your Kelly fix in the meantime. Here's a roundup of Kelly Clarkson's biggest hit songs to give you a head start.

This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

1. "A Moment Like This"

This was the song that started it all. Kelly's debut single after her American Idol win hit the No. 1 spot on the Billboard chart for two weeks in 2002. (And yes, it's still a classic.)

2. "Miss Independent"

The more upbeat pop song was the first single from her debut album, Thankful, peaking at No. 9 in 2003. More than 15 years later, it's still the **best** song to play while getting ready for a night out with your girls.

3. "Breakaway"

Originally recorded for The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement soundtrack, this single's success inspired Kelly to make it the title track on her second studio album, Breakaway. The song reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2004.

4. "Since U Been Gone"

Also from the Breakaway album, this hit song peaked at No. 2 in 2005, becoming an anthem for anyone who's come out on top after breaking free from a bad relationship. Fourteen years after its release, you still can't help but crank this one up when it comes on the radio.

5. "Behind These Hazel Eyes"

Another memorable uptempo song from the same album, Kelly knew just how to channel all her relationship angst (and tbh, yours, too) into an instant hit. It debuted at No. 6 on the charts and stayed in the top 10 for 15 weeks in 2005.

6. "Because of You"

Kelly Clarkson wrote "Because of You" when she was 16, inspired by the pain of her parents' divorce and her failing relationship with her father, per Country Living. The song peaked at No. 7 in 2005, and two years later, Kelly recorded it as a duet with Reba McEntire.

7. "Walk Away"

This song (also from the Breakaway album), only went up to No. 12 on the charts, but it resonated with a lot of fans, since it was all about being strong enough to walk away from a relationship with an unsupportive partner.

8. "Never Again"

From Kelly's My December album, this was another angsty hit about a breakup (starting to notice a theme here...). Apparently, the song was #relatable since it peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2007.

9. "My Life Would Suck Without You"

This bop—no other way to describe it—from Kelly's fourth studio album, All I Ever Wanted, spent two weeks at No. 1 in 2009.

10. "Already Gone"

Another song from All I Ever Wanted, this emotional slow jam made fans feel all the feels in 2009. It peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

11. "I Do Not Hook Up"

Believe it or not, this song wasn't originally meant for Kelly Clarkson (I KNOW). Katy Perry co-wrote this track and was originally meant to sing it herself, but clearly, the fates intervened. Though it wasn't Kelly's biggest hit (peaking at No. 20 in 2009), it was the basis for one of her most epic music videos.

This content is imported from youTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Watch on

12. "Mr. Know It All"

From Kelly's fifth studio album, Stronger, this song was Kelly's ninth top 10 hit on the Billboard top 100 in 2011. It also became a crossover hit on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart that year as well.

13. "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)"

The title track on Kelly's fifth studio album still holds the record among Kelly's hit songs for longest stay at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It spent three weeks at the top of the chart in 2011.

14. "Don't You Wanna Stay"

Kelly collaborated with country music star Jason Aldean in 2011 on this crossover ballad. While it peaked at No. 31, the song further proved Kelly was a dynamo songstress in multiple genres.

15. "Catch My Breath"

By 2012, Kelly Clarkson was such a powerhouse artist, she released her first Greatest Hits album. (It was also the year she started dating her now-husband Brandon Blackstock.) Not only did she re-release her classic faves, but she graced the world with a new hit song. "Catch My Breath," an upbeat pop anthem, peaked at No. 19 in 2013.

16. "Piece by Piece"

Kelly wrote this heartwarming hit (which was the title track of her seventh studio album) about her positive relationship with her husband in contrast with her difficult relationship with her dad. Not only did it peak at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2016, but just this year, Blackstock surprised Kelly onstage at the last night of her "Meaning of Life" tour by playing guitar while she sang.

You really just gotta see the sweet moment for yourself:

This content is imported from youTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

17. "Love So Soft"

The first song released from Kelly's most recent studio album, 2017's Meaning of Life, didn't climb the charts on the Billboard Hot 100 (sorry, Kel). But it did hit No. 1 on the Billboard U.S. Dance Club Songs chart because duh.