Catch My Breath

The song received positive reviews, with most critics commending the song's uplifting theme and lyrical content. Immediately after premiering on radio, Sam Lansky of Idolator remarked: "The song is classic Kelly Clarkson, although much less bruised than many of her heartbreak anthems: The production is clean and sparkly, with a propulsive back-beat and clear vocals."[6] Neon Limelight wrote, "The upbeat song is really less about her career and more about where she is now in her life and her new found ability to appreciate what really matters."[14] Hardeep Phull of the New York Post gave the song three stars, saying: "this is the euphoric sound of her (Clarkson) looking to the future. The Texan sounds high on life, and it makes "Catch My Breath" one of the best songs she's recorded in years — warm, upbeat and boasting a chorus so big, you could land a plane on it."[15] Jocelyn Vena of MTV News also added, "Kelly Clarkson is still pop's sassy "Miss Independent", but these days, she's a bit more willing to ask for help. Clarkson's uplifting new single "Catch My Breath" not only pays homage to her strong-willed musical persona, but also to the people who have helped her grow into the woman she is today".[13]

Critics also applauded Clarkson's vocal performance harmoniously interweaving with the song's arrangement. Mark Hogan of Spin wrote: "American Idol's most successful champion demonstrates just how she plans to keep up with the young guns on the triumphant midtempo song, which moderately incorporates the EDM builds recently in favor with everyone from Pink to Taylor Swift. Clarkson's always-powerful voice still sets her apart from the club-pop pack. If there's a whiff of lite-FM maturity, it feels earned."[10] Amy Sciarretto of Popcrush gave the song three and a half stars out of five, she wrote: "It's her voice and the undulating beat that make this song a toe-tapper from the opening note to the closing one. The organic tone of Clarkson's voice is what prevents the song from sounding too "synthy" or studio-created, which is often an issue with pop songs. There is no trickery here; it's all Clarkson being a vocal diva."[16] Jenna Hally Rubenstein of MTV Buzzworthy remarked, "As you might expect, "Catch My Breath" is a sunny, synth-laden pop jam that showcases Kelly's unreal set of pipes, and speaks to the difficulties that come with staying in the record industry."[17] Bené Viera of VH1 remarked, "The song is celebratory in that it acknowledges she's going to live her life the way that makes her happy. Her voice flows from a leveled alto to a high near-scream for the chorus."[18] On March 5, 2013, Billboard ranked the song #49 in its list of Top 100 American Idol Hits of All Time.[19]

"Catch My Breath" entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart on the week ending October 21, 2012, at number 54,[20][21] making it her twenty-fourth entry on the chart. It also debuted at number 32 on the Adult Pop Songs and at number 11 on the Hot Digital Songs with 87,000 digital downloads.[21][22] On the week ending January 26, 2013, the song jumped from number 12 to number 10, making Clarkson as the female singer with the most Adult Pop Songs top 10s among women.[23] The song also becomes Clarkson's 80th Billboard number one when it jumped from number two to number one on the Hot Dance Club Songs on the week ending February 2, 2013. It is also her third consecutive number one in the chart, following "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You) and "Dark Side".[24] The song peaked at number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Clarkson's 14th Top 20 hit on the chart.[25] On February 28, 2013, the song has passed one million downloads, giving Clarkson the 11th million-selling single of her career.[26] As of September 10, 2017, it has sold 1,834,000 paid digital downloads.[27] In Canada, the song debuted at number 25 on the Canadian Hot 100 chart on the week ending October 21, 2012.[21] In South Korea, "Catch My Breath" debuted at number 2 on the Gaon International Digital Singles Chart and at number 1 on the Gaon International Download chart on the week ending October 20, 2012.[28] In Ireland, the song debuted at number 88 on the Irish Singles Chart on the week ending October 18, 2012.[29] In Australia, the song debuted on the Australian Singles Chart at number 40 on the week ending October 29, 2012.[30]

The accompanying lyric video for "Catch My Breath" was premiered on VEVO on October 16, 2012. It marked the first time Clarkson released a lyric video to accompany a song. It featured the lyrics as several three-dimensional texts, being lit by glimmering lights, rotating around a promotional photo of Clarkson used in the single cover.[32][33] The accompanying music video for "Catch My Breath" was directed by Danish director Nadia Marquard Otzen. It was filmed in London, immediately after the end of Clarkson's Stronger Tour. Unlike her previous videos which used a 4:3 and a 16:9 aspect ratio, it uses a 2.39:1 anamorphic format. It premiered on November 12, 2012 on VEVO.[34] The video begins with Clarkson standing in the water while the wind blows through her hair, representing tranquility. Throughout the video, different footage of splashing water, blazing fires and smoke in different colors, and water bubbles alternate with scenes of Clarkson performing the song. In the final chorus, smoke and fire flares up above Clarkson's head while she sings surrounded by water and air.[31][34][35]

Zara Golden of VH1 wrote, "The video's premise is pretty simple, as it finds Kelly looking extra-svelte in a floor length dress and with her new bottle-blonde hair, calling forth wind, water and fire with her voice so powerful."[36] Kyle Anderson of Entertainment Weekly remarked, "Kelly Clarkson's voice is so commanding that she's never really needed much in the way of visual flair to help carry her songs."[37] Mark Hogan of Spin wrote a positive review, "Clarkson is a solitary figure throughout the clip, and she's indomitable, her face conveying nothing but confidence and determination as around her water bubbles and flame-like effects burst. At one point, Clarkson declares herself "addicted to the love I've found." Consider this, then, a simple and majestic video affirmation of what another vocal powerhouse once called the greatest love of all."[38] Bill Lamb of About.com complimented the video's simplicity and praised Clarkson for her ability to successfully carry a music video with no story line, no backing musicians, or elaborate sets.[39] Sam Lanksy of Idolator gave a positive review, writing ""Catch My Breath" may not be Clarkson's most imaginative video, but she's so likably lovely in it that it's impossible to disdain."