Beautiful Disaster (Kelly Clarkson song)

"Beautiful Disaster" is a song recorded by American recording artist Kelly Clarkson on her debut studio album Thankful (2003). Matthew Wilder produced the track, and wrote it along with Rebekah Jordan. "Beautiful Disaster" reflects a woman's prayer about a man whom she loves despite his iniquities. A live piano version of the song was included as the twelfth track on Clarkson's second studio album Breakaway (2004).

"Beautiful Disaster"
Song by Kelly Clarkson
from the album Thankful
Length4:12
LabelRCA
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Matthew Wilder

"Beautiful Disaster" garnered positive reviews from music critics, who complimented the song's musical structure and composition. Eight years after its release, the track entered the Official UK Singles Chart at number 124. Clarkson performed the song on the third season finale of American Idol, and has included it in the set lists for her concert tours.

Background

Matthew Wilder produced "Beautiful Disaster", and wrote it along with Rebekah Jordan. Jordan and Wilder had pitched the song to Clarkson during the recording sessions for her debut album Thankful (2003). Jordan explained that she had written the track about her strained relationship with her boyfriend who was suffering from substance dependence.[1] During a 2004 performance, Clarkson expressed her disappointment with the original song. She felt that Wilder's overproduction took away from the song's original message, and explained that RCA executives had chosen to keep it.[2][1]

Reception

"Beautiful Disaster" received generally positive reviews from music critics. A writer from the Associated Press noted that the song sounded like "good outtakes from a Debbie Gibson album circa 1987".[3] Dave Ferman of Fort Worth Star-Telegram described the song as "Chugging, '80s-influenced rock, in which Kelly wonders if it's a good idea to go after that handsome bad boy. And the answer is . . . maybe."[4] Eric Danton of The Buffalo News pointed to "Beautiful Disaster" as "one of the (Thankful) disc's best tunes" [5]

Eight years after its release, the track entered the Official UK Singles Chart at number 124.[6]

Live performances

Clarkson performed a piano ballad version of "Beautiful Disaster" on the Independent Tour and in televised performances. Her record label criticized her decision as they felt the song did not "sound 'big' enough",[1] in which she insisted that "the production was distracting from the lyrics".[1] She sang it on the third season finale of American Idol on May 26, 2004, as well as The View and The Early Show on August 16, 2004.[7][8] The live version of the song garnered a better response, leading to Clarkson including it as the closing track for her second studio album Breakaway (2004).[1]

Personnel
  • Kelly Clarkson: Main Vocal
  • Rebekah Jordan: Vocal Backing
  • Matthew Wilder: Guitars, Keyboards and Piano, Programming
  • James Hurrah: Guitars
  • Mike Elizondo: Bass
  • Abe Laboriel Jr.: Drums, Percussion

Production
  • Arranged and Produced by Matthew Wilder
  • Engineer: Csaba Petocz; Second Engineer: Quentin Dunn
  • Mixed by Mike Shipley

Charts
Chart (2011) Peak
position
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[6] 124

References
  1. "Kelly Clarkson Biography". Contactmusic.com. Retrieved April 14, 2013. (subscription required)
  2. Moss, Corey (April 6, 2004). "Cutielicious: Kelly And Clay's Live Show Heavy On The Sugar". MTV. Viacom Media Networks. Retrieved April 14, 2013.
  3. "An 'Idol' plays it too safe". Associated Press. April 18, 2003. Retrieved April 14, 2013.
  4. Ferman, Dave (April 15, 2003). "Reasons to be 'Thankful'". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. The McClatchy Company. Retrieved April 14, 2013. (subscription required)
  5. Danton, Ric (April 25, 2003). "Music Discs". The Buffalo News. Berkshire Hathaway. Retrieved April 14, 2013. (subscription required)
  6. "Chart Update 19 November 2011". UK Singles Chart. Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 14, 2013.
  7. "I know. It's all a big hype thing,..." TV Guide. OpenGate Capital. May 27, 2004. Retrieved April 14, 2013.
  8. "Kelly Clarkson: Breakaway". CBS News. CBS Interactive. August 16, 2004. Retrieved April 14, 2013.
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