Kelly Clarkson

Solo Artist

Photo: Stephen Schester/Carlin Leslie · Public domain
Active 2002-present
Origin Fort Worth, Texas
Albums 10
Tracks 131
Most frequent collaborator Greg Kurstin · 25 tracks
Genres PopPop RockSoulR&B
Collaborator
49%
Authorship

Holds writing credit on 64 of 131 tracks

Does Kelly Clarkson write her own songs?

Sometimes, and increasingly. Kelly Clarkson is credited on about 49% of her catalogue. Her biggest early hits, like 'Since U Been Gone,' were written by professional teams such as Max Martin and Dr. Luke, while she co-wrote others like 'Because of You.' She wrote entire albums herself, including My December (2007) and much of Chemistry (2023).

By the Numbers

10
Studio Albums
131
Tracks Credited
49%
Self-Written
over 82 million
Records Sold
24
Years Active
196
Collaborators

Authorship Breakdown 64 / 131 self-written

Who wrote the songs?

Across all 131 tracks: how many Kelly Clarkson wrote alone, how many they co-wrote, and how many were written by others. The bracket marks every track they hold any writing credit on.

Kelly Clarkson has a writing credit49%
49%
51%
Sole author0tracks0%
Co-written64tracks49%
Outside writers67tracks51%

Role Fingerprint how they contribute

Lyricist Performer Composer Producer
Kelly Clarkson's roles across the catalogue

Share of all 131 tracks where they are personally credited, by role.

Lyricist (words)49%
Composer (music)49%
Producer1%
Performer94%

Authorship Over Time writing credit per album

Kelly Clarkson's writing credit per album, in release order. Hover any bar for the album.

avg 49%
33%
50%
100%
43%
46%
36%
23%
29%
42%
86%
2003Thankful
2004Breakaway
2007My December
2009All I Ever Wanted
2011Stronger
2013Wrapped in Red
2015Piece by Piece
2017Meaning of Life
2021When Christmas Comes Around...
2023Chemistry
Early · 57% written
Mid · 33% written
Late · 65% written

Authorship by Decade track-weighted

57%
2000s
Thankful, Breakaway +2 more
33%
2010s
Stronger, Wrapped in Red +2 more
65%
2020s
When Christmas Comes Around..., Chemistry

Authorship Spectrum pure performer to complete author

Where Kelly Clarkson sits on the scale from a pure performer (0%, sings songs written by others) to a complete author (100%, writes everything). The bright marker is their catalogue authorship score, plotted against other artists on the site.

Kelly Clarkson
Other artists on the site

Reference artists spread across the scale, closest by genre and era.

Whitney Houston5%
Aretha Franklin14%
Backstreet Boys25%
Stevie Wonder64%
Christina Aguilera74%
Pink85%
Alicia Keys97%
49%Kelly Clarkson
Pure Performer0%
Songwriter~50%
Complete Author100%

Who Really Wrote the Hits signature songs

Miss Independent
Thankful
Written by Kelly Clarkson, Christina Aguilera, Rhett Lawrence, Matt Morris
Co-wrote
Low
Thankful
Written by Jimmy Harry
Outside writers
Since U Been Gone
Breakaway
Written by Max Martin, Lukasz Gottwald
Outside writers
Behind These Hazel Eyes
Breakaway
Written by Kelly Clarkson, Max Martin, Lukasz Gottwald
Co-wrote
Because of You
Breakaway
Written by Kelly Clarkson, David Hodges, Ben Moody
Co-wrote
Walk Away
Breakaway
Written by Kelly Clarkson, Kara DioGuardi, Chantal Kreviazuk, Raine Maida
Co-wrote
Breakaway
Breakaway
Written by Matthew Gerrard, Bridget Benenate, Avril Lavigne
Outside writers
Never Again
My December
Written by Kelly Clarkson, Jimmy Messer
Co-wrote
My Life Would Suck Without You
All I Ever Wanted
Written by Lukasz Gottwald, Claude Kelly, Max Martin
Outside writers
I Do Not Hook Up
All I Ever Wanted
Written by Katy Perry, Kara DioGuardi, Greg Wells
Outside writers
Already Gone
All I Ever Wanted
Written by Kelly Clarkson, Ryan Tedder
Co-wrote
All I Ever Wanted
All I Ever Wanted
Written by Sam Watters, Louis Biancaniello, Dameon Aranda
Outside writers
Mr. Know It All
Stronger
Written by Brian Seals, Ester Dean, Brett James, Dante Jones
Outside writers
Dark Side
Stronger
Written by busbee, Alex G.
Outside writers
Underneath the Tree
Wrapped in Red
Written by Kelly Clarkson, Greg Kurstin
Co-wrote
Heartbeat Song
Piece by Piece
Written by Kara DioGuardi, Jason Evigan, Audra Mae, Mitch Allan
Outside writers
Invincible
Piece by Piece
Written by Sia Furler, Jesse Shatkin, Stephen Mostyn, Warren "Oak" Felder
Outside writers
Piece by Piece
Piece by Piece
Written by Kelly Clarkson, Greg Kurstin
Co-wrote
Love So Soft
Meaning of Life
Written by Jesse Shatkin, Priscilla Renea, Maureen McDonald
Outside writers
Christmas Isn't Canceled (Just You)
When Christmas Comes Around...
Written by Kelly Clarkson, Jason Halbert, Jessi Collins
Co-wrote
Santa, Can't You Hear Me
When Christmas Comes Around...
Written by Kelly Clarkson, Aben Eubanks
Co-wrote
Mine
Chemistry
Written by Kelly Clarkson, Erick Serna, Jesse Shatkin
Co-wrote
Me
Chemistry
Written by Kelly Clarkson, Taylor Rutherford, Josh Ronen
Co-wrote

Discography 10 albums

Collaborator Network who they worked with most

Kelly Clarkson131 tracks
25Greg Kurstin, 25 tracks JS24Jesse Shatkin, 24 tracks 23Jason Halbert, 23 tracks DK13David Kahne, 13 tracks AE13Aben Eubanks, 13 tracks JM11Jimmy Messer, 11 tracks KD9Kara DioGuardi, 9 tracks HB6Howard Benson, 6 tracks MM5Maureen McDonald, 5 tracks AD5Andre Davidson, 5 tracks SD5Sean Davidson, 5 tracks on Static-X's page CM4Clif Magness, 4 tracks LB4Louis Biancaniello, 4 tracks SW4Sam Watters, 4 tracks DB4Dwight Baker, 4 tracks RT4Ryan Tedder, 4 tracks on OneRepublic's page TM4The Monarch, 4 tracks JA4Jessica Ashley Karpov, 4 tracks JS3John Shanks, 3 tracks MM3Max Martin, 3 tracks DL3Dr. Luke, 3 tracks CK3Chantal Kreviazuk, 3 tracks RM3Raine Maida, 3 tracks JA3Josh Abraham, 3 tracks OG3Oliver Goldstein, 3 tracks O3Oligee, 3 tracks TG3Toby Gad, 3 tracks MK3Molly Kate Kestner, 3 tracks ES3Erick Serna, 3 tracks ER2Evan Rogers, 2 tracks CS2Carl Sturken, 2 tracks RL2Rhett Lawrence, 2 tracks JH2Jimmy Harry, 2 tracks SF2Steve Ferrera, 2 tracks RJ2Rebekah Jordan, 2 tracks MW2Matthew Wilder, 2 tracks K"2Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, 2 tracks HM2Harvey Mason Jr., 2 tracks TU2The Underdogs, 2 tracks B2Babyface, 2 tracks JE2Jörgen Elofsson, 2 tracks CD2Cathy Dennis, 2 tracks DH2David Hodges, 2 tracks on Evanescence's page BM2Ben Moody, 2 tracks on Evanescence's page MP2Malcolm Pardon, 2 tracks FR2Fredrik Rinman, 2 tracks CK2Claude Kelly, 2 tracks KP2Katy Perry, 2 tracks DA2Dameon Aranda, 2 tracks OW2Olivia Waithe, 2 tracks AA2Ashley Arrison, 2 tracks SM2Shane McAnally, 2 tracks JM2Johnny Marks, 2 tracks AM2Audra Mae, 2 tracks S2Sia, 2 tracks KP2Katie Pearlman, 2 tracks MP2Michael Pollack, 2 tracks MS2Mick Schultz, 2 tracks NR2Nick Ruth, 2 tracks AK2Amy Kuney, 2 tracks JT2Joseph Trapanese, 2 tracks RR2Randy Runyon, 2 tracks CA1Christina Aguilera, 1 track MM1Matt Morris, 1 track DW1Diane Warren, 1 track SS1Stephanie Saraco, 1 track DB1Danielle Brisebois, 1 track SC1Scott Cutler, 1 track TG1Tamyra Gray, 1 track JR1John Reid, 1 track SM1Steve Mac, 1 track DC1Desmond Child, 1 track GB1Gary Burr, 1 track MG1Matthew Gerrard, 1 track BB1Bridget Benenate, 1 track AL1Avril Lavigne, 1 track SS1Shep Solomon, 1 track CM1Calamity McEntire, 1 track GW1Greg Wells, 1 track ML1Mark Lee Townsend, 1 track AR1Andreas Romdhane, 1 track JL1Josef Larossi, 1 track GO1Greg Ogan, 1 track AP1Aimée Proal, 1 track GB1Glen Ballard, 1 track MT1Matt Thiessen, 1 track JÅ1Joakim Åhlund, 1 track KN1Keri Noble, 1 track BS1Brian Seals, 1 track ED1Ester Dean, 1 track BJ1Brett James, 1 track DJ1Dante Jones, 1 track BK1Brian Kennedy, 1 track AT1Ali Tamposi, 1 track DG1David Gamson, 1 track B1busbee, 1 track AG1Alex G., 1 track TS1Tom Shapiro, 1 track RM1Robert Marvin, 1 track CG1Catt Gravitt, 1 track BK1Bridget Kelly, 1 track JF1James Fauntleroy, 1 track RJ1Rodney Jerkins, 1 track AL1Andre Lindal, 1 track LC1Lauren Christy, 1 track D1Darkchild, 1 track BM1Bonnie McKee, 1 track CD1Chris DeStefano, 1 track FB1Felix Bloxsom, 1 track JH1Jennifer Hanson, 1 track ML1Michael Logen, 1 track RB1Ralph Blane, 1 track HM1Hugh Martin, 1 track MB1Marvin Brodie, 1 track CB1Charles Brown, 1 track GR1Gene Redd, 1 track BH1Billy Hayes, 1 track JJ1Jay Johnson, 1 track FL1Frank Loesser, 1 track RD1Ronnie Dunn, 1 track IB1Irving Berlin, 1 track OH1Oscar Hammerstein II, 1 track RR1Richard Rodgers, 1 track IH1Imogen Heap, 1 track PJ1Peter J. Wilhousky, 1 track JM1Joseph Mohr, 1 track FX1Franz Xaver Gruber, 1 track RM1Reba McEntire, 1 track TY1Trisha Yearwood, 1 track JE1Jason Evigan, 1 track MA1Mitch Allan, 1 track SM1Stephen Mostyn, 1 track W"1Warren "Oak" Felder, 1 track OF1Oak Felder, 1 track MK1Matthew Koma, 1 track TJ1Tim James, 1 track AA1Antonina Armato, 1 track JP1Joacim Persson, 1 track RC1Ry Cuming, 1 track DJ1David Jost, 1 track JL1John Legend, 1 track JB1Joleen Belle, 1 track JM1Julia Michaels, 1 track NL1Nolan Lambroza, 1 track DR1Dan Rockett, 1 track JT1Justin Tranter, 1 track RB1Ryland Blackinton, 1 track DK1Dan Keyes, 1 track VO1Vaughn Oliver, 1 track NH1Natalie Hemby, 1 track

Bubble size = tracks worked on together. Showing the 150 most frequent of 194. JS Jesse Shatkin · DK David Kahne · AE Aben Eubanks · JM Jimmy Messer

Photo credits

Portraits in the web and the rail come from Wikimedia Commons. The artist's own photo carries its credit under the picture.

The Authorship Story

Data Insight

Kelly Clarkson's authorship arc is one of the clearest in modern pop: her debut Thankful and breakthrough Breakaway leaned heavily on professional songwriting teams, but by 2007's My December she co-wrote every track. Across her career she is credited as a co-writer on much of her material while still drawing on hitmakers like Max Martin, Dr. Luke, and Greg Kurstin for singles. The data captures the transition from American Idol performer to genuine songwriting contributor.

Quick Facts

  • First Idol winnerWon the first season of American Idol in 2002
  • SalesHas sold over 82 million records worldwide
  • GrammysWon three Grammy Awards, including Best Pop Vocal Album
  • BreakawayHer 2004 album is one of the best-selling albums of the 21st century
  • Self-written peaksWrote all of My December (2007) and much of the divorce album Chemistry (2023)

Creative Fingerprint

A performer who writes when it counts: Kelly Clarkson is credited on about 49% of her catalogue, singing many songs written by professional teams early on but writing entire albums herself, like My December and Chemistry.

The Story

Kelly Clarkson is an American singer and songwriter who won the inaugural season of American Idol in 2002 and became one of the defining pop voices of the 2000s. Across ten studio albums she evolved from a pure performer of professionally written material into a consistent co-writer, scoring hits like 'Since U Been Gone,' 'Because of You,' and 'Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You).' Her catalog spans glossy pop rock, soul, and two full Christmas records.

Awards & Recognition

Won the first season of American Idol in 2002
Won three Grammy Awards, including Best Pop Vocal Album
Breakaway (2004) is one of the best-selling albums of the 21st century
Has sold over 82 million records worldwide

Frequently Asked Questions Kelly Clarkson

Does Kelly Clarkson write her own songs?
Sometimes, and increasingly. Kelly Clarkson is credited on about 49% of her catalogue. Her biggest early hits, like 'Since U Been Gone,' were written by professional teams such as Max Martin and Dr. Luke, while she co-wrote others like 'Because of You.' She wrote entire albums herself, including My December (2007) and much of Chemistry (2023).
Did Kelly Clarkson write 'Since U Been Gone'?
No. 'Since U Been Gone,' from Breakaway (2004), was written by Max Martin and Dr. Luke. It became one of her signature hits, but like several of her early singles it came from outside songwriters rather than Clarkson herself.
Did Kelly Clarkson write 'Because of You'?
Yes. 'Because of You,' also from Breakaway, was co-written by Kelly Clarkson, based on a poem she wrote as a teenager about her parents' divorce. It is one of her earliest and most personal co-writes.
Which Kelly Clarkson album did she write the most on?
My December (2007) is her most self-authored album, with Clarkson co-writing all its tracks. Chemistry (2023), written after her divorce, is another album where she drove most of the songwriting.
Did Kelly Clarkson win American Idol?
Yes. She won the very first season of American Idol in 2002 and became its most commercially successful winner, going on to sell over 82 million records worldwide.
How many albums has Kelly Clarkson released?
This catalogue covers her studio albums from Thankful (2003) through Chemistry (2023), including the blockbuster Breakaway and holiday records like Wrapped in Red.
How many Grammys has Kelly Clarkson won?
Kelly Clarkson has won three Grammy Awards, including Best Pop Vocal Album, across a career built on both outside-written hits and her own songwriting.
What genre is Kelly Clarkson?
Kelly Clarkson makes pop, pop rock, and soul, from the arena-pop of 'Since U Been Gone' to the confessional writing of My December and Chemistry.

Sources

Wikipedia: Kelly Clarkson