Thankful cover art

  Studio Album · No. 1

Thankful Songwriting Credits by Kelly Clarkson

2003 RCA Records 12 tracks 45 min

Produced by Evan Rogers, Carl Sturken, Rhett Lawrence, Clif Magness, Steve Ferrera, Matthew Wilder, The Underdogs, Babyface, Louis Biancaniello, Sam Watters, Steve Mac, Desmond Child, Cathy Dennis  ·  Engineered by Tony Maserati, Dave Pensado, Bob Clearmountain, Mike Shipley, Stephen Marcussen

RCA Records PopContemporary R&B
33%
Authorship
Co-Performer

Holds writing credit on 4 of 12 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 4 / 12 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 12 tracks with documented writers, by whether Kelly Clarkson carries a lyricist or composer credit.

33%
4 trackswritten by Kelly Clarkson 8 tracksoutside writers
Kelly Clarkson's roles on this album

Share of the 12 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist33%
Composer33%
Producer0%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

12
Tracks
24
Lyricists
13
Producers
4.5 million
Worldwide Copies Sold
2003
Released
Data Insight

Thankful was assembled largely by outside writers and producers in the wake of Kelly Clarkson's American Idol win, with teams including Babyface, Desmond Child, Cathy Dennis, Steve Mac, Clif Magness and The Underdogs shaping the material. Clarkson co-wrote four of the twelve tracks, the most prominent being lead single 'Miss Independent,' which she developed alongside Rhett Lawrence, Matt Morris and Christina Aguilera. The record's pop and contemporary R&B direction reflected label-driven choices rather than her own authorship, a contrast she would push back against on later albums.

Track Listing & Credits 12 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
The Trouble with Love Is
Kelly ClarksonEvan RogersCarl Sturken Kelly ClarksonEvan RogersCarl Sturken Evan RogersCarl Sturken Kelly Clarkson (Lead Vocals)
2
Miss Independent #9
Kelly ClarksonChristina AguileraRhett LawrenceMatt Morris Kelly ClarksonChristina AguileraRhett LawrenceMatt Morris Rhett Lawrence Kelly Clarkson (Lead Vocals)
3
Low #58
Jimmy Harry Jimmy Harry Clif Magness Kelly Clarkson (Lead Vocals)
4
Some Kind of Miracle
Diane Warren Diane Warren Steve FerreraRhett Lawrence Kelly Clarkson (Lead Vocals)
5
What's Up Lonely
Evan RogersCarl SturkenStephanie Saraco Evan RogersCarl SturkenStephanie Saraco Evan RogersCarl Sturken Kelly Clarkson (Lead Vocals)
6
Just Missed the Train
Danielle BriseboisScott Cutler Danielle BriseboisScott Cutler Clif Magness Kelly Clarkson (Lead Vocals)
7
Beautiful Disaster
Rebekah JordanMatthew Wilder Rebekah JordanMatthew Wilder Matthew Wilder Kelly Clarkson (Lead Vocals)
8
You Thought Wrong
Kelly ClarksonTamyra GrayKenneth "Babyface" EdmondsHarvey Mason Jr.Damon Thomas Kelly ClarksonTamyra GrayKenneth "Babyface" EdmondsHarvey Mason Jr.Damon Thomas The UnderdogsBabyface Tamyra Gray
9
Thankful
Kelly ClarksonKenneth "Babyface" EdmondsHarvey Mason Jr.Damon Thomas Kelly ClarksonKenneth "Babyface" EdmondsHarvey Mason Jr.Damon Thomas The UnderdogsBabyface Kelly Clarkson (Lead Vocals)
10
Anytime
Louis BiancanielloSam Watters Louis BiancanielloSam Watters Louis BiancanielloSam Watters Kelly Clarkson (Lead Vocals)
11
A Moment Like This
Jörgen ElofssonJohn Reid Jörgen ElofssonJohn Reid Steve FerreraSteve Mac Kelly Clarkson (Lead Vocals)
12
Before Your Love
Desmond ChildCathy DennisGary Burr Desmond ChildCathy DennisGary Burr Desmond ChildCathy Dennis Kelly Clarkson (Lead Vocals)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 29 contributors

KC
Kelly Clarkson
Writer · Vocals
On this album4 written
CS
Carl Sturken
Writer · Producer
On this album2 written
ER
Evan Rogers
Writer · Producer
On this album2 written
DT
Damon Thomas
Writer
On this album2 written
HM
Harvey Mason Jr.
Writer
On this album2 written
K"
Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds
Writer
On this album2 written
RL
Rhett Lawrence
Writer · Producer
On this album1 written
CD
Cathy Dennis
Writer · Producer
On this album1 written
DC
Desmond Child
Writer · Producer
On this album1 written
LB
Louis Biancaniello
Writer · Producer
On this album1 written
MW
Matthew Wilder
Writer · Producer
On this album1 written
SW
Sam Watters
Writer · Producer
On this album1 written

More from Kelly Clarkson

2004 50%
Breakaway
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2007 100%
My December
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2009 43%
All I Ever Wanted
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2011 46%
Stronger
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2013 36%
Wrapped in Red
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2015 23%
Piece by Piece
RCA Records
13 tracksProd. Greg Kurstin
2017 29%
Meaning of Life
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14 tracksProd. The Monarch
2021 42%
When Christmas Comes Around...
Atlantic Records
12 tracksProd. Jason Halbert
2023 86%
Chemistry
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Frequently Asked Questions Thankful

Did Kelly Clarkson write Thankful?
Only partly. Kelly Clarkson co-wrote four of the twelve tracks on Thankful, while the rest came from outside writers and producers such as Desmond Child, Cathy Dennis and Steve Mac. The album leaned heavily on professional songwriting teams typical of a major-label debut.
What is Kelly Clarkson's Thankful?
Thankful is Kelly Clarkson's 2003 debut studio album, released on RCA after she won the first season of American Idol. It is a pop and contemporary R&B record that produced the hit 'Miss Independent.'
Did Kelly Clarkson write Miss Independent?
Yes, in part. 'Miss Independent' was co-written by Kelly Clarkson with Rhett Lawrence, Matt Morris and Christina Aguilera. The song reached number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned Clarkson her first Grammy nomination.
How high did Miss Independent chart?
'Miss Independent' peaked at number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100, holding that position for two consecutive weeks. It was Clarkson's first international hit and her first Grammy-nominated song.
How did the single Low by Kelly Clarkson perform?
'Low' was the second single from Thankful and peaked at number 58 on the Billboard Hot 100. It performed more strongly abroad, reaching the top of the charts in Canada and the top 20 in Australia.
How well did Thankful sell?
Thankful sold roughly 4.5 million copies worldwide and was certified 2x Platinum in the United States. It debuted at number 1 on the Billboard 200 with first-week sales of about 297,000 copies.
Who produced Thankful?
Thankful was produced by a roster of outside producers including Babyface, Desmond Child, Cathy Dennis, Steve Mac, Clif Magness, The Underdogs and Matthew Wilder. Kelly Clarkson did not produce the album herself.

Sources

Wikipedia: Thankful (Kelly Clarkson album) Wikipedia: Miss Independent (Kelly Clarkson song) MusicBrainz release group Cover Art Archive front cover Cover Art Archive: Thankful by Kelly Clarkson