20 Years Of ‘Idol’: Kelly Clarkson’s Biggest Hits

By JC Villamere. 20 Feb 2022 8:11 AM

Can you believe 20 years have passed since Kelly Clarkson won the very first season of “American Idol”? At the time, none of us could have anticipated how far-reaching or long-lasting her success would be. Let’s take a moment like this to look back at the very biggest hits of this original ‘Idol’ and entertainment icon.

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'A Moment Like This'
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Her big win on "American Idol" brought the sudden singing sensation her first #1 hit in October 2002. This single from the Texas native's debut album, 'Before Your Love,' spent a whopping 20 weeks on the charts.
'Piece by Piece'
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"Piece by Piece" is the title track and second single from Clarkson's seventh studio album, released in 2015. She co-wrote the track with the album's producer, eight-time Grammy winner Greg Kurstin, who also co-wrote Adele's smash hit "Hello". The track peaked at #8 in 2016.
'Since U Been Gone'
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Sing/scream along to this salute to overcoming bad breakups: "But since you been gone / I can breathe for the first time / I'm so moving on / Yeah, yeah
Thanks to you / Now I get what I want / Since you been gone" The song peaked at the #2 spot in 2005 and won Clarkson a Grammy.
'Breakaway'
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Clarkson also picked up a Grammy for this inspirational song about taking risks in spite of fears. It's the title track from her 2004 album, and it was also featured on the soundtrack of "The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement".
'Never Again'
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Her relationship with Evanescence band member David Hodges apparently inspired this track from her third studio album, 2007's 'My December’. This rock track peaked at #8.
‘Heartbeat Song'
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This dance-floor classic was inspired by the heartbeat of her baby-to-be, River Rose Blackstock, now 7. The 2015 hit was Clarkson's sixteenth top 40 hit. Fun fact: "Heartbeat Song" was co-written by Kara DioGuardi, who served as a judge on "American Idol" for its eighth and ninth seasons.
'Miss Independent'
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This song, co-written by Christina Aguilera, was initially intended for Aguilera's fourth album, 'Stripped,' in 2002, but it eventually became the lead single from Clarkson's 2003 release, 'Thankful.' It peaked at the #9 spot in July 2003.
‘Mr. Know It All’ 
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After its release in 2011, this song became Clarkson's ninth Top 10 hit. This country crossover number was the lead single from her album ‘Stronger’. With lyrics like these, we’d say the album title is apt: "Can't nobody tell me how it's gonna be / Nobody gonna make a fool outta me, baby / You should know that I lead, not follow".
'Behind These Hazel Eyes'
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This peppy hit co-written by Clarkson was the second single from 2004’s ‘Breakaway’. The track peaked in the #6 slot and spent 34 weeks on the charts.
'Miss Independent'
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This song, co-written by Christina Aguilera, was initially intended for Aguilera's fourth album, 'Stripped,' in 2002, but it eventually became the lead single from Clarkson's 2003 release, 'Thankful.' It peaked at the #9 spot in July 2003.
'Because of You'
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This hit was a major win for Clarkson: She had initially fought to have the song included on her debut album but the label nixed it. It eventually appeared on her second album, 'Breakaway,' in 2004 and provided Clarkson with a #7 hit in 2005.
'Love So Soft'
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"Every kiss is a door / Can I knock on yours?" We don't know how well that works as a pick-up line, but it works great in the lyrics of the lead single from Clarkson's eighth album, 'Meaning of Life', from 2017. This soulful dance hit received a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Solo Performance.

We can't believe our moment with Kelly Clarkson has lasted 20 years so far, and we hope it lasts 20 more (at least)!

20 Years Of ‘Idol’: Kelly Clarkson’s Biggest Hits

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