Kelly Clarkson is back with a powerful new single, “Mine,” and it’s clear that the song was inspired by her recent divorce from Brandon Blackstock. With haunting lyrics that seem to accuse her ex of “crossing a line” and “stealing her shine,” the track is a poignant and relatable reflection of heartbreak.
In the song, Clarkson, 40, has the courage to confront her pain and stand up for herself. This single (which she debuted live for the first time on The Kelly Clarkson Show this week) is the first taste of her highly-anticipated upcoming album, and fans are already raving about it. Read on to learn more about “Mine” and what the Grammy winner has shared about her upcoming album.
READ MORE: Kelly Clarkson Tells Fans Her New Album Is About ‘The Good, The Bad And The Ugly’ After Divorce
Kelly Clarkson Opens Up About The Meaning Behind New Single “Mine”
In an Instagram Live video shared to The Kelly Clarkson Show YouTube channel, Clarkson told fans that “Mine” (which features her signature powerful, resonant vocals and simmering rock guitar instrumentals) was a very “important” piece for her to write following the end of her marriage in 2020.
“‘Mine,’ particularly, it was important for me to have songs like that,” Clarkson said. “It was very helpful to pull myself out of the gutter that I was living in, ’cause, you know, your whole world changes and you’re like, ‘I didn’t see that coming.'” She continued, “It’s very important to remember the good as well and not just sit in the crappy.”
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In the lyrics, the American Idol winner sings, “I can’t believe I stayed as long as I stayed,” before expressing wishes for the subject of the song. “I hope one day someone will take your heart and hold it tight / Make you feel like you’re invincible deep inside / And right when you think that it’s perfect they cross a line / And steal your shine / Like you did mine,” she belts.
READ MORE: Kelly Clarkson Opens Up About Her Heartbreaking Divorce From Brandon Blackstock—’It Rips You Apart’
Clarkson Also Drops New Song “Me” Featuring Labelmate Gayle
And that’s not all! The “Breakaway” hitmaker also shared another heartrending song called “Me” that will appear on her forthcoming tenth studio album. The collaborative effort with her labelmate, Gayle, is a piano ballad with plenty of impressive vibrato notes along with a backing choir.
Clarkson shared with listeners that pop singer Gayle wrote the first verse and a chorus before the material was sent to Clarkson. The “Since U Been Gone” crooner said that she found the content very relatable. As fans know, she was married to producer and executive, Blackstock, 46, and they share 8-year-old daughter River and 7-year-old son Remington.
“I literally got the song, the idea, and then I finished it that night.” In the new track, she sings, “Lovеd you so much, took an army to pull me up / But now on the other side, I remembered I could fly.” She adds, “I told you I wanted you (I told you) / But you needed me to need you (Needed me to need you) / Your insecurity was the death of you and me (Oh).”
Clarkson said that her new record Chemistry, out June 23, 2023 is a “very personal record.” She noted in the video for fans that writing music helped her heal after her split, from remembering good times to processing more difficult moments. “It was very good for me to be able to experience the whole relationship on this album, because to diminish something to just bad would be a disservice,” she continued.
READ MORE: Fans Are Showing Support After Kelly Clarkson Reveals The ‘Hardest’ Part Of Divorce Process
Clarkson Shares New Details About Chemistry, Her Upcoming Album
On April 14th, the singer-songwriter elaborated on this in an Instagram post for her 6.5 million Instagram followers that also showed her new LP cover art. "Having chemistry with someone is an incredible, and overwhelming, feeling," she wrote. "It’s like you have no choice in the matter. You are just drawn to each other. This can be good and bad."
She added, "This album takes you down every path that chemistry could lead you down. We decided to release “mine” and “me” at the same time because I didn’t want to release just one song to represent an entire album, or relationship. There are many stages of grief and loss on this album. Each song is a different stage and emotional state." We can't wait to hear it!
