Heat (Kelly Clarkson song)

"Heat" was originally written by the production duo The Monarch and Michael Pollack for Clarkson's debut album for Atlantic Records.[2] According to Mick Schultz, Atlantic chairman and CEO Craig Kallman and A&R manager Carrie West approached him and his frequent collaborator Harlœ to re-produce the track after finishing recording another song, "Medicine", for Clarkson.[2] He described the original recording as "rock and soulful", and ultimately produced two versions of it.[2] He recalled that the process took days, remarking: "They (Atlantic) told me they wanted something out of the box, so I tried to really think about doing something left field. I ended up with (the version) that's on the album now."[2] Schultz and Harlœ later received co-writing credits for the track.[2][3] An uptempo soul number,[4][3] Clarkson described its lyrics as giving a full commitment to a relationship.[5] Rolling Stone contributor Maura Johnston described its music as recalling the "upbeat soul-tinged hits of the Nineties while possessing a decidedly 21st-century energy".[3] AllMusic senior editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine also noted that the song has a "bit of gospel fire",[6] while Spin's Katherine St. Asaph compared it to Adele's collaborations with Max Martin.[7]

In an interview with the Official Charts Company, Clarkson revealed plans to release "Heat" as a follow-up single from Meaning of Life.[8][9] A remix by British DJ Luke Solomon was released by Atlantic as a single on July 27, 2018.[10] A fan video was released on August 1, 2018, featuring Clarkson singing and dancing over the track accompanied by self-recorded footage of various enthusiasts performing their versions of it.[11]

"Heat" received a positive response from music critics upon the release of Meaning of Life. Idolator's Mike Wass called the track the best song on the album,[12] while Shaun Kitchener of the Daily Express praised the sheer confidence Clarkson exudes on the track.[13] Reviewing for The Observer, Michael Cragg described the song as a "pure unadulterated joy".[14]

Clarkson recorded a live performance of "Heat" in 2017 as part of her "Nashville Sessions" series at the War Memorial Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee, which was later released on July 11, 2018.[15] She also filmed a live performance of the track at the "Rocking and Stockings" content series sponsored by American chain store Cracker Barrel to promote the album during the 2017 holiday season.[16] Clarkson presented the song in a live television performance at The Today Show on June 8, 2018.[17] She has then included it on a medley presentation at the 2018 Radio Disney Music Awards and has also performed the track at the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular holiday special on July 4, 2018.[18][19] On August 27, 2018, Clarkson opended the 2018 US Open, with a medley of her hits which included the song. Clarkson performed the song during the 92nd Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 22, 2018.[20] She broke Macy's tradition by singing the vocals live rather than lip syncing to the track.[21] She also performed the song on The Voice on December 4, 2018, and on NBC's New Year's Eve.[22][23] Clarkson was featured singing the song on the fourth episode of The Morning Show, which premiered on November 9, 2019.[24]

Credits lifted the album's liner notes.[31]