What Doesn't Kill You (Stronger)
Encyclopedia
"What Doesn't Kill You" is a song by American pop rock singer Kelly Clarkson
. It is the second track from her fifth studio album, Stronger
. It was written by Jörgen Elofsson
, Ali Tamposi, David Gamson
, Greg Kurstin
and produced by Kurstin. The song's lyrics mainly explores the themes of empowerment. It was released as the second single from her fifth studio album, Stronger.
The song received generally positive reviews from music critics, who praised Clarkson's vocal performance, some of whom highlighted it as one of the album's musical highlights. Immediately following the release of Stronger, the song entered the Billboard
Hot 100 at number 64. Before singing the song live at The Borderline in London
, Clarkson announced that "What Doesn't Kill You (Stronger)" would be released as her next single and that the video for it would have worldwide fan involvement. The song is currently being used in a Toyota commercial which features Clarkson singing the song.
, Ali Tamposi, David Gamson
, Greg Kurstin
. Elofsson also co-wrote "A Moment Like This", which was released as a non-album single by Clarkson in 2002 following her coronation as the first American Idol
winner. The song was inspired by the Friedrich Nietzsche
quote, "That which does not kill us makes us stronger," which was written in his book Twilight of the Idols, or, How to Philosophize with a Hammer
in 1888 and was originally attributed to Alexander the Great. In an interview with MTV News
prior to the song's release, Clarkson remarked "That'll be the one [that's] kinda like "Since U Been Gone
," [with] people jumping up and down to [it], and it's just kind of really inspiring, so I can't wait to perform that one." The song's empowerment and uplifting theme led Clarkson to name her fifth studio album as Stronger. Clarkson also remarked that song doesn't refer to a specific person, saying "I didn't have a bad breakup or anything, I just think life is about relationships so I always write all about these different ones going on in my life. And I don't have a filter, so it's pretty verbatim." In July 2011, a demo version of the song was leaked
to favorable response. And a week before the album's release, a newer and lower-key version of the song also leaked, prompting Clarkson to preview the song in an attempt to counter-attack the leak.
" segues into an anthem that encourage personal reinvention, and dancing." Grady Smith of Entertainment Weekly
wrote, "I’m more partial to the understated, sassy-but-soulful vibes on current lead single "Mr. Know It All
", but there’s chatter around the Entertainment Weekly music department that Clarkson might have been better off releasing “What Doesn’t Kill You” as the first track from Stronger." Melissa Maerz of Entertainment Weekly wrote, "Best of all is "What Doesn't Kill You (Stronger)", a throbbing glitter-disco tribute to believing that it really does get better." Jonathan Keefe of Slant Magazine remarked "the chilly electro-pop that Greg Kurstin brings to the verses of "What Doesn't Kill You (Stronger)" suggests a Top 40 version of Robyn
's "Call Your Girlfriend
" before the song explodes into the kind of ginormous chorus that Clarkson sells better than just about anyone else." MTV remarked, "Like "Since U Been Gone," "What Doesn't Kill You (Stronger)" has a super radio-friendly hook, and we're already singing along: "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger/Stand a little taller/Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I’m alone." The song was also included in MTV's five key tracks from Stronger, saying "This ex clearly had it coming and Kelly lays it all out in the open. Upbeat yet soulful, the chorus will drag you up and onto the floor to dance the heartache away alongside her." Brian Mansfield of USA Today
wrote, "Just in case Kelly didn't belittle "Mr. Know It All" enough in the first song, telling him, "You know everything about everything, but you don't," now she's back for round two: "The bed feels warmer, sleeping here alone" (Ouch!). Nah, her life doesn't suck without him. What sucks is that she didn't deck him before she left. With a song that would fit with a boxing film's workout montage, she's clearly thinking about it: If she does come back, she'll come back swinging."
in the United States on the week ending November 3, 2011 with over 40,000 copies sold. The same week it peaked on the Hot Digital Songs
and Canadian Hot 100
at South Korean Gaon Chart
at numbers 31, 64 and 22, respectively. On the week ending November 20, 2011, the song re-entered Billboard Hot 100 at number 99. It has currently sold 106,000 copies in the United States.
" into the music video. She also released the choreography that will be used in the video for fans to learn.
-sponsored special concert at The Troubadour in Los Angeles on October 19, 2011 to promote the album. Her first televised performance of the song was on November 23, 2011, during The X Factor
results show.
Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Brianne Clarkson is an American pop rock singer-songwriter and actress. Clarkson came into prominence after becoming the winner of the inaugural season of the television series American Idol in 2002 and would later become the runner-up in the television special World Idol in 2003.In 2003,...
. It is the second track from her fifth studio album, Stronger
Stronger (Kelly Clarkson album)
Stronger is the fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter Kelly Clarkson. The album was released on October 21, 2011 in Australia and October 24, 2011 in the United States and the United Kingdom through RCA Records...
. It was written by Jörgen Elofsson
Jörgen Elofsson
Jörgen Kjell Elofsson is a Swedish songwriter who has written or co-written hits for stars such as Britney Spears, Kelly Clarkson, Guy Sebastian, Ana Johnsson, Marie Serneholt, Shayne Ward and Super Junior. He has also written hit singles for groups such as Il Divo and Westlife...
, Ali Tamposi, David Gamson
David Gamson
David Gamson is a keyboardist/musician . He has worked with, among others, Ke$ha, Adam Lambert, Chaka Khan, Meshell Ndegeocello, Green Gartside, Sheila E., George Benson, Luther Vandross, Donny Osmond, Miles Davis, Al Jarreau and Roger Troutman.He is perhaps best known for his distinctive...
, Greg Kurstin
Greg Kurstin
Gregory Allen "Greg" Kurstin is an award-winning American songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. In 2009 Kurstin received a Grammy Award nomination for Producer of the Year. That same year he won three Ivor Novello awards for his work with Lily Allen, including Songwriters of the Year for "The Fear"...
and produced by Kurstin. The song's lyrics mainly explores the themes of empowerment. It was released as the second single from her fifth studio album, Stronger.
The song received generally positive reviews from music critics, who praised Clarkson's vocal performance, some of whom highlighted it as one of the album's musical highlights. Immediately following the release of Stronger, the song entered the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Hot 100 at number 64. Before singing the song live at The Borderline in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, Clarkson announced that "What Doesn't Kill You (Stronger)" would be released as her next single and that the video for it would have worldwide fan involvement. The song is currently being used in a Toyota commercial which features Clarkson singing the song.
Background and release
Originally titled "What Doesn't Kill You", the song was written by Jörgen ElofssonJörgen Elofsson
Jörgen Kjell Elofsson is a Swedish songwriter who has written or co-written hits for stars such as Britney Spears, Kelly Clarkson, Guy Sebastian, Ana Johnsson, Marie Serneholt, Shayne Ward and Super Junior. He has also written hit singles for groups such as Il Divo and Westlife...
, Ali Tamposi, David Gamson
David Gamson
David Gamson is a keyboardist/musician . He has worked with, among others, Ke$ha, Adam Lambert, Chaka Khan, Meshell Ndegeocello, Green Gartside, Sheila E., George Benson, Luther Vandross, Donny Osmond, Miles Davis, Al Jarreau and Roger Troutman.He is perhaps best known for his distinctive...
, Greg Kurstin
Greg Kurstin
Gregory Allen "Greg" Kurstin is an award-winning American songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. In 2009 Kurstin received a Grammy Award nomination for Producer of the Year. That same year he won three Ivor Novello awards for his work with Lily Allen, including Songwriters of the Year for "The Fear"...
. Elofsson also co-wrote "A Moment Like This", which was released as a non-album single by Clarkson in 2002 following her coronation as the first American Idol
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
winner. The song was inspired by the Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche was a 19th-century German philosopher, poet, composer and classical philologist...
quote, "That which does not kill us makes us stronger," which was written in his book Twilight of the Idols, or, How to Philosophize with a Hammer
Twilight of the Idols
Twilight of the Idols, or, How to Philosophize with a Hammer is a book by Friedrich Nietzsche, written in 1888, and published in 1889.-Genesis:...
in 1888 and was originally attributed to Alexander the Great. In an interview with MTV News
MTV News
MTV News is the news division of MTV, one of the first and most popular music television network in the U.S., as well as some of MTV's related channels around the world. MTV News began in the late 1980s with the program The Week In Rock, hosted by Kurt Loder, the first official MTV News correspondent...
prior to the song's release, Clarkson remarked "That'll be the one [that's] kinda like "Since U Been Gone
Since U Been Gone
"Since U Been Gone" is a song written and produced by Max Martin and Lukasz "Dr. Luke" Gottwald for American singer Kelly Clarkson. The song was released as the second single from her second album, Breakaway in the US and Australia and was released as the first single in Europe...
," [with] people jumping up and down to [it], and it's just kind of really inspiring, so I can't wait to perform that one." The song's empowerment and uplifting theme led Clarkson to name her fifth studio album as Stronger. Clarkson also remarked that song doesn't refer to a specific person, saying "I didn't have a bad breakup or anything, I just think life is about relationships so I always write all about these different ones going on in my life. And I don't have a filter, so it's pretty verbatim." In July 2011, a demo version of the song was leaked
Internet leak
An Internet leak occurs when a party's confidential information is released to the public on the Internet. Various types of information and data can be, and have been, "leaked" to the Internet, the most common being personal information, computer software and source code, and artistic works such...
to favorable response. And a week before the album's release, a newer and lower-key version of the song also leaked, prompting Clarkson to preview the song in an attempt to counter-attack the leak.
Critical reception
The song received positive reviews from contemporary critics. Jason Lipshutz of Billboard remarked that the song is "A guitar riff reminiscent of "Since U Been GoneSince U Been Gone
"Since U Been Gone" is a song written and produced by Max Martin and Lukasz "Dr. Luke" Gottwald for American singer Kelly Clarkson. The song was released as the second single from her second album, Breakaway in the US and Australia and was released as the first single in Europe...
" segues into an anthem that encourage personal reinvention, and dancing." Grady Smith of Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
wrote, "I’m more partial to the understated, sassy-but-soulful vibes on current lead single "Mr. Know It All
Mr. Know It All
"Mr. Know It All" is a song by American singer-songwriter Kelly Clarkson. The break-up themed song was written by Brian Kennedy, Ester Dean, Brett James, and Dante Jones. It was described as the most different among the singles released by Clarkson...
", but there’s chatter around the Entertainment Weekly music department that Clarkson might have been better off releasing “What Doesn’t Kill You” as the first track from Stronger." Melissa Maerz of Entertainment Weekly wrote, "Best of all is "What Doesn't Kill You (Stronger)", a throbbing glitter-disco tribute to believing that it really does get better." Jonathan Keefe of Slant Magazine remarked "the chilly electro-pop that Greg Kurstin brings to the verses of "What Doesn't Kill You (Stronger)" suggests a Top 40 version of Robyn
Robyn
Robin Miriam Carlsson , better known by her stage name Robyn, is a Swedish recording artist, singer, and songwriter. Robyn became known in the late nineties for her worldwide dance-pop hit "Do You Know " from her debut album Robyn Is Here . She co-wrote the song "Du gör mig hel igen" for...
's "Call Your Girlfriend
Call Your Girlfriend
"Call Your Girlfriend" is a song by Swedish recording artist Robyn, taken from her seventh studio album, Body Talk . It was released as the album's second single on 1 April 2011. The song was written by Robyn, Klas Åhlund and Alexander Kronlund. Åhlund handled production, with assistance by Billboard...
" before the song explodes into the kind of ginormous chorus that Clarkson sells better than just about anyone else." MTV remarked, "Like "Since U Been Gone," "What Doesn't Kill You (Stronger)" has a super radio-friendly hook, and we're already singing along: "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger/Stand a little taller/Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I’m alone." The song was also included in MTV's five key tracks from Stronger, saying "This ex clearly had it coming and Kelly lays it all out in the open. Upbeat yet soulful, the chorus will drag you up and onto the floor to dance the heartache away alongside her." Brian Mansfield of USA Today
USA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
wrote, "Just in case Kelly didn't belittle "Mr. Know It All" enough in the first song, telling him, "You know everything about everything, but you don't," now she's back for round two: "The bed feels warmer, sleeping here alone" (Ouch!). Nah, her life doesn't suck without him. What sucks is that she didn't deck him before she left. With a song that would fit with a boxing film's workout montage, she's clearly thinking about it: If she does come back, she'll come back swinging."
Chart performance
Following the release of the album, the song debuted at number 64 on the Billboard Hot 100Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
in the United States on the week ending November 3, 2011 with over 40,000 copies sold. The same week it peaked on the Hot Digital Songs
Hot Digital Songs
The Hot Digital Songs chart ranks the best-selling digital singles in the United States, according to Billboard.Beginning in February 2005, digital sales have been incorporated into many of Billboards music single charts. It was decided to do so mainly because of the dramatic rise in popularity of...
and Canadian Hot 100
Canadian Hot 100
The Canadian Hot 100 is a music singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine which ranks songs in Canada. The chart debuted in the Billboard issue dated June 16, 2007 and was made available for the first time via their online services on June 7, 2007...
at South Korean Gaon Chart
Gaon Chart
The Gaon Chart is a national record chart of South Korea. It is complied by the Korea Music Content Industry Association and sponsored by South Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism; with an aim to create a national chart for Korea similar to the Billboard charts and Oricon charts...
at numbers 31, 64 and 22, respectively. On the week ending November 20, 2011, the song re-entered Billboard Hot 100 at number 99. It has currently sold 106,000 copies in the United States.
Music video
Clarkson started filming the video for "What Doesn't Kill You (Stronger) on November 18, 2011. According to Clarkson, she will incorporate "a global flash mobFlash mob
A flash mob is a group of people who assemble suddenly in a public place, perform an unusual and sometimes seemingly pointless act for a brief time, then disperse, often for the purposes of entertainment, satire, artistic expression...
" into the music video. She also released the choreography that will be used in the video for fans to learn.
Live performances
Clarkson first performed the song a in a SonySony
, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....
-sponsored special concert at The Troubadour in Los Angeles on October 19, 2011 to promote the album. Her first televised performance of the song was on November 23, 2011, during The X Factor
The X Factor (U.S.)
The X Factor is an American television music competition to find new singing talent. The show is produced by creator Simon Cowell's company SYCOtv. It premiered on September 21, 2011 on Fox....
results show.
Charts
| Chart (2011) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| South Korea (Gaon Chart Gaon Chart The Gaon Chart is a national record chart of South Korea. It is complied by the Korea Music Content Industry Association and sponsored by South Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism; with an aim to create a national chart for Korea similar to the Billboard charts and Oricon charts... ) |
22 |
Release history
| Region | Date | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | November 14, 2011 | Contemporary hit radio Contemporary hit radio Contemporary hit radio is a radio format that is common in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia that focuses on playing current and recurrent popular music as determined by the Top 40 music charts... |