Kelly Clarkson is by far one of the most successful winners of American Idol. She has proved time and again just how amazing she is. Clarkson has moved us in the past with ballads such as “Because of You” or empowered us with songs such as “Stronger.”
Her most recent song, “Piece by Piece,” does not fall short of what we expect from Clarkson. Actually, I personally believe it surpasses all that she has given us thus far.
In an interview with Glamour Magazine, Clarkson explained that this was one of the most emotionally difficult songs she had to write. She stated:
“I had [my daughter] River, and even from holding her the first day, I was like, how could anyone walk away from that? Then I started thinking that my husband [Brandon Blackstock] is such a great father. He’s not an audience guy—he is onstage doing the work with me. He changes diapers, he stays up, and if I’ve had a late night, he’ll wake up with her in the morning. We’re definite partners, and I felt so lucky.”
“Piece by Piece” is a very personal song, because Clarkson’s own father walked out of her life. She discussed how some women who have “daddy issues” fall into the same trap:
“You find men who are all you knew, and I just feel so lucky. Maybe it’s because I waited and worked through my 20s. It’s a positive song, even though I know it sounds sad. I don’t know what my father went through as a child, and I don’t know why he left and made the decisions he made, but everyone’s human. I don’t understand it for me, but I understand the depth of what that is—having a child—now, and he’s made me want to be that much more present in my family.“
Those of us who have our issues with our fathers can empathize with the words of Clarkson’s song. In the song she talks to her father about what it was like to be abandoned while all she wanted was for him to want her. She beautifully tells him that her husband has restored her faith in men and in fathers, a faith that was lost from her father’s rejection. Clarkson tells her father that she now feels loved and is reassured that her husband will not abandon their daughter.
Knowing what the song is about is not as powerful as hearing Clarkson sing the song.
On Thursday, February 25, Clarkson made an appearance and sang “Piece by Piece” on American Idol. She brought so much of herself to this performance that Clarkson had to pause a couple of times because of the enormous emotion that took over her. Clarkson attempted to brush it off by blaming her emotions on her pregnancy and the nostalgia of American Idol. Regardless of whether that may be the case, her powerful performance also moved the judges and audience with tears visibly streaming down their faces.
If you haven’t seen it, you can watch it here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FHYBQxURQo
Featured image is screenshot from Youtube.
