Invincible (Kelly Clarkson song)

"Invincible" is a song by American singer Kelly Clarkson from her seventh studio album, Piece by Piece (2015). It was written by Sia, Jesse Shatkin, Steve Mostyn, and Warren "Oak" Felder. Produced by Shatkin, the track is an anthem about self-empowerment. "Invincible" features uncredited vocals from Sia, as well as string arrangements by Oliver Kraus. It was first released as the first promotional single from Piece by Piece on February 23, 2015, but then issued as the album's second single to Hot Adult Contemporary radio stations on May 18, 2015 through RCA Records.[1]

"Invincible"
A cropped image of Clarkson singing, with the word marks "Kelly Clarkson" and "Invincible" printed above and below it, respectively.
Single by Kelly Clarkson
from the album Piece by Piece
ReleasedMay 18, 2015 (2015-05-18)
Recorded2014
GenrePop
Length
  • 3:58
  • 3:44 (radio edit)
LabelRCA
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Jesse Shatkin
  • Steve Mostyn
  • Oak
Kelly Clarkson singles chronology
"Heartbeat Song"
(2015)		 "Invincible"
(2015)		 "Second Hand Heart"
(2015)
Music video
"Invincible" on YouTube

Background and recording

I've never gotten to sing her songs before. She writes such range-y songs. We work with the same producers. So we kind of have the same mutual friends.

—Clarkson on collaborating with Sia with her producers Greg Kurstin and Jesse Shatkin.[2]

During her Stronger Tour in 2012, Clarkson performed a cover version of Sia's single "Breathe Me" (2004).[3] Upon learning of the performance, Sia offered her salutations and revealed that she had been trying to write a song for Clarkson and will continue to submit material.[3] In 2014, Sia revealed that she wrote a song entitled "Invincible" with Jesse Shatkin.[4] And while demonstrating her work with producer Greg Kurstin on NPR, she ended up writing a part of what would be included in the song, which she remarked that no one had cut yet.[4] She, together with Shatkin, who had also previously collaborated with Clarkson as Kurstin's engineer, finished the song towards the end of Clarkson's recording sessions for her seventh studio album, Piece by Piece.[5] Shatkin presented the song to Clarkson, saying "I know you're done recording your album, but we've just wrote this amazing song and we think you could do great on it."[5] Upon hearing their demo, Clarkson decided to record the song, she replied "I think I could too — I want it!".[2]

Composition

"Invincible" was written by Sia, Shatkin, Steve Mostyn, and Warren Felder.[6] It was one of the two songs Sia had written for Clarkson, the other being "Let Your Tears Fall".[5] The last song recorded for Piece by Piece,[2] it is a midtempo anthem produced by Kurstin together with Shatkin.[7] The song features background vocals by Sia.[2] Lyrically, it sings of empowerment, telling a story of a little girl becoming a woman with unlimited strength, coming into her own and discovering a sense of self-worth.[7][8] Billboard associate editor Jason Lipshutz remarked that Clarkson has struck this pose many times, further describing the record as less of a fist-pumping anthem than "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)" (2012) or "Breakaway" (2004).[7] "Invincible" also features strings arranged and conducted by Oliver Kraus, which music critics also construed that it ratcheted up the intensity of the chorus as well as Clarkson's vocals.[7][9]

Release and reception

Clarkson shared the lyrics of the chorus of "Invincible" on her website before Piece by Piece was released.[10] "Invincible" was first released by RCA Records on February 23, 2015 as the first promotional single from Piece by Piece.[11] Clarkson had also announced plans to release it as the album's second single after "Heartbeat Song".[5]

Critical response

"Invincible" received positive reviews from music critics. 4Music commended the song as an "empowering belter",[12] while Nolan Feeney of Time praised the record, saying that of all the artists Sia has collaborated with, few are more suited to the spotlight-averse songwriter's brand of "victim to victory" anthems than Clarkson.[13] In her review for HitFix, Courtney E. Smith described the song as having the looks to combine that Clarkson backbone everyone so loved from tracks like "Since U Been Gone" (2004) and the aural architecture of David Guetta and Sia's "Titanium" (2011).[8] Reviewing for Entertainment Weekly, Taylor Weatherby complimented the track, writing that "Invincible" is more focused on reminding fans of the powerhouse vocalist Clarkson is, and that she that her "Stronger" spirit hasn't changed.[14] In his review for Spin, James Grebey described the song as combining Clarkson's commanding vocals and Sia's songwriting prowess to great effect,[15] and like "Heartbeat Song" before it, the track is an earnest and empowering tour de force with a truly anthemic chorus.[15] Reviewing for Idolator, Bradley Stern doubled that remark, saying that the song is as one might expect a pairing between the quirky singer-songwriter and the masterclass belter to be — emotionally earnest and vocally explosive.[16]

Chart performance

Upon its release as a promotional single, "Invincible" debuted on the Billboard Pop Digital Songs chart at number 50 on the chart week ending March 14, 2015.[17] Following its official single release, "Invincible" debuted at number 39 on the Billboard Adult Pop Songs chart for the week ending April 6, 2015.[18] It also debuted at number 26 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart for the week ending July 4, 2015.[19]

Music video

The music video was directed by Alon Isocianu and was shot in Los Angeles from April 30, to May 1, 2015. Addy Chan choreographed the video. On May 15, 2015, the lyric video for the song was released.[20] The music video was released on May 29, 2015.[21] Clarkson spends most of the video dancing around a warehouse full of cube-shaped floating lamps, which eventually shatter to reveal women who were previously hiding inside. At first, they wear their pain on their faces, but that pain eventually gives way to happiness.[22]

Live performances

Clarkson debuted "Invincible" in a live performance on the 2015 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 17, 2015, a day before its street date.[23] She performed the song with The Voice eighth season runner-up Meghan Linsey during the season finale on May 19, 2015 and on the June 3 episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show.[24] Clarkson performed the song at the iHeart Radio Summer Pool Party at the Caesar Palace on May 30, 2015. Additionally, Clarkson debuted the song on the British television program, This Morning on June 5, 2015. In July 2015, Clarkson performed the song on Macy's 4th of July Spectacular on NBC.

Track listing
Digital download – Remixes EP[25]
No.TitleLength
1."Invincible" (Vicetone Remix)3:24
2."Invincible" (tyDi Remix)4:32
3."Invincible" (tyDi Radio Mix)3:40
4."Invincible" (Tom Swoon Remix)4:56
5."Invincible" (Tom Swoon Radio Mix)3:37
6."Invincible" (7th Heaven Remix)6:45
7."Invincible" (7th Heaven Radio Mix)4:36

Charts

Release history
List of release dates, showing region, release format, label catalog number, and reference
Region Date Format(s) Label Catalog number Ref
United States May 18, 2015 (2015-05-18) Hot adult contemporary radio RCA —
[1]
June 9, 2015 (2015-06-09) Contemporary hit radio {{center>[35]}}
Worldwide June 23, 2015 (2015-06-23) Digital download – Remixes EP Sony TBA
[25]

References
  1. "Radio & Records: Going For Adds: Hot AC". Radio & Records. May 18, 2015. Archived from the original on May 7, 2015. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
  2. Garibaldi, Christina (February 23, 2015). "Kelly Clarkson's Latest Girl Power Anthem Will Have You Feeling 'Invincible'". MTV. Viacom Media Networks. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  3. O'Mance, Brad (September 28, 2012). "Sia and Kelly Clarkson have been chatting away about a possible collaboration". Popjustice. Popjustice Ltd. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  4. Sanders, Sam (July 8, 2014). "A Reluctant Star, Sia Deals With Fame On Her Own Terms". NPR. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  5. Nathoo, Melissa (February 23, 2015). Kelly Clarkson on working with Sia and John Legend. ITN (Video). YouTube. Archived from the original (Video Interview) on February 25, 2015. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  6. "Invincible" (metadata). Kelly Clarkson. 19 Recordings Limited under exclusive license to RCA Records. 2015. GBCTA1500002.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  7. Lipshutz, Jason (February 23, 2015). "Kelly Clarkson is 'Invincible' on Sia-Penned 'Piece By Piece' Track: Listen". Billboard. New York: Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  8. Smith, Courtney E. (February 23, 2015). "Sia wrote this new song for Kelly Clarkson: Hear 'Invincible'". HitFix. HitFix, Inc. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  9. Bacardi, Francesca (February 24, 2015). "Kelly Clarkson Releases "Invincible" and "Piece by Piece" From Upcoming Album—Listen Now!". E! Online. NBCUniversal. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  10. "Invincible - Kelly Clarkson". piecebypiece.kellyclarkson.com. Archived from the original on January 25, 2015.
  11. Daw, Robbie (February 24, 2015). "Kelly Clarkson's "Piece By Piece": Listen To Her Upcoming Album's Title Track". Idolator. Spin Media. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  12. "This Week's Fresh Music Top 20". This Week's Fresh Music Top 20. June 21, 2015. 4Music.
  13. Feeney, Nolan (February 23, 2015). "Hear Kelly Clarkson's Sia-Penned Empowerment Anthem 'Invincible'". Time. Time Inc. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  14. Weatherby, Taylor (February 23, 2015). "Kelly Clarkson debuts her Sia-written single 'Invincible'". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  15. Grebey, James (February 23, 2015). "Kelly Clarkson and Sia Are 'Invincible' on New 'Piece By Piece' Cut". Spin. Spin Media. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  16. Stern, Bradley (February 23, 2015). "Kelly Clarkson Teams Up With Sia For "Invincible": Listen To The 'Piece By Piece' Song". Idolator. Spin Media. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  17. "Kelly Clarkson Album & Song Chart History". Billboard Pop Digital Songs for Kelly Clarkson. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  18. Trust, Gary (May 25, 2015). "Chart Highlights: Taylor Swift Blasts Onto Pop Songs With 'Bad Blood'". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 25, 2015.
  19. Trust, Gary (June 22, 2015). "Chart Highlights: Andy Grammer Gets 'Good' Marks Atop Adult Pop Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
  20. kellyclarksonVEVO (May 15, 2015). "Kelly Clarkson - Invincible (Lyric Video)" – via YouTube.
  21. kellyclarksonVEVO (May 29, 2015). "Kelly Clarkson - Invincible" – via YouTube.
  22. "Kelly Clarkson is 'Invincible' in new music video". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 29, 2015.
  23. "Kelly Clarkson – Invincible". Daily MPE. Destiny Media Technologies. May 7, 2015. Retrieved May 9, 2015.
  24. "Kelly Clarkson Performs 'Invincible'". Archived from the original on June 30, 2015. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
  25. "Invincible (Remixes) – EP by Kelly Clarkson". Amazon UK. United Kingdom. June 23, 2015. Retrieved June 19, 2015.
  26. "Kelly Clarkson Chart History (Canada AC)". Billboard. Retrieved July 16, 2015.
  27. "Kelly Clarkson Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved July 16, 2015.
  28. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 26, 2015.
  29. Zywietz, Tobias. "Chart Log UK — Update 12.07.2015". Official Charts Company. Zobbel.de. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  30. "Kelly Clarkson Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  31. "Kelly Clarkson Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
  32. "Kelly Clarkson Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
  33. "Adult Contemporary Songs : Year End 2015". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved December 10, 2015.
  34. "Dance Club Songs : Year End 2015". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved December 10, 2015.
  35. "Radio & Records: Going For Adds: CHR/Top 40". Radio & Records. June 9, 2015. Archived from the original on May 28, 2015. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
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