The Ultimate Breakup Anthems: Unpacking Kelly Clarkson's 'Chemistry' Album

After going through a difficult divorce from Brandon Blackstock, Kelly Clarkson's latest music has a raw and emotional feel, echoing her past experience with breakup anthems. The former American Idol star officially filed for the dissolution of her marriage to the manager in June 2020, after the couple started dating in 2011 and getting married in 2013.

According to an insider, their issues were exacerbated by being in quarantine together during the coronavirus pandemic, resulting in irreconcilable differences. The former couple, who share two children, engaged in a contentious legal battle over finances, property, and custody, which took almost two years to finalize. As part of the settlement, the Grammy winner was ordered to pay $45,601 a month in child support until their children reach adulthood, as well as monthly spousal support of $115,000 until January 2024 and a one-time tax-free payment of $1,326,161.

Clarkson was awarded primary custody of the children, but Blackstock and the "Since U Been Gone" singer have joint physical custody. During this time of personal transition, The Kelly Clarkson Show host channeled her experiences into her 10th studio album.

Clarkson revealed to Variety in June 2022 that she and her producer wrote an impressive 25 songs in just one week, with many of them making it onto her latest album. Despite having written most of the songs almost two years prior, Clarkson held off on discussing them until she had processed her experiences. This delay, combined with her search for a positive outlet, led to her focus on creating Christmas music. As for the title of her upcoming album, Chemistry, it is a clear reference to her past romantic relationships, as confirmed by Clarkson in March 2023.

Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock Matt Baron/Shutterstock

After working on the project for almost three years, the artist has finally decided to release her album, titled Chemistry, as she revealed on Instagram. She explains that she was searching for a word that could encompass the various emotions and complexities of an entire relationship, rather than just focusing on one or two feelings. The album explores the different facets of a relationship, including the good, the bad, and the ugly. The artist chose the title Chemistry because it can represent both the positive and negative aspects of a relationship, from the exciting and fun to the toxic and harmful. The album will be released on June 23, and Us has already begun analyzing the revealing lyrics.

‘Red Flag Collector’

Kelly Clarkson sings about her divorce settlement and her decision to legally change her name in the lyrics, "Sure, you can have the towels / You can take my money / Drag my name ’round town / I don’t mind, I changed it anyway." According to Us, she dropped "Blackstock" from her name and now goes by Kelly Brianne professionally.

Clarkson alludes to their dispute over their Montana ranch in the chorus, where she appears to express her desire to sell the property. However, due to a court order, Blackstock was responsible for the costs of the ranch and Clarkson could only sell it if he failed to make the payments. He was given a 5.12 percent share, which amounted to $908,800 of its total $17,750,000 value. In the song, she sings, "So run your mouth, puff your chest / Play cowboy in the wild, wild west. I don't mind, take what's left / High road livin' is what I do best."

‘I Hate Love’

Clarkson revealed during a performance in New York City in June of 2023 that this song was written during a time when she was feeling “really angry”. She explained that it’s a song about the conflicting emotions that can arise when you love someone, but you also can’t stand them at the same time.

Comparing the iconic romantic movie The Notebook to Meryl Streep's messy love triangle in It's Complicated, she sings, "I hate love and The Notebook lied. It's Complicated is more realistic about what happens." She also takes a swipe at Blackstock for his financial gain in their divorce, as she sings in the chorus, "Beatin' my head against a wall, you took it all little by little. Love's no friend of mine, while you count your blessings on my back."

‘Favorite of High’

In this song, Clarkson explores the intense and addictive nature of love, comparing it to a rush of adrenaline. She admits that despite her best intentions, she cannot resist the pull of her partner and the overwhelming feelings that they evoke in her. This raw and honest portrayal of love is sure to resonate with listeners who have experienced the same overwhelming emotions in their own relationships.

‘Mine’

Clarkson's lyrics depict the pain of having someone steal your happiness and confidence, as she sings about an ex who crossed a line and took away her shine. The hope of finding someone who makes you feel invincible is shattered when they betray you, leaving you feeling vulnerable and hurt. This sentiment may reflect Clarkson's personal struggles during the legal battle with her ex-husband Brandon and his father, Narvel Blackstock.

Clarkson is currently embroiled in a lawsuit with her former management group, Narvel's Starstruck Management Group, who managed her for over a decade. The lawsuit, which was filed in 2020, claims that Clarkson owes the company $1.4 million as well as $5.4 million in future commissions. However, Clarkson has retaliated by alleging that the company violated California Labor Code. In her song's chorus, she alludes to the movie "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," where the character Clementine erases her memories of her ex after their breakup, singing, "Go ahead and break my heart, that's fine (So unkind) / Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind (Oh, love is blind) / Why am I missin' you tonight? (Was it all a lie?) / Someone's gonna show you how a heart can be used."

‘Me’

Clarkson’s lyrics suggest that her ex-partner's insecurities played a significant role in the downfall of their relationship. According to a source, the couple had been experiencing problems for a long time. The source also revealed that Clarkson's successful career as a talk show host and a star on The Voice made her ex-partner extremely jealous, which put a strain on their relationship.

She appears to contradict herself in the chorus, going against the lyrics of her previous song "Piece By Piece" from 2015 where she credited Blackstock for bringing wholeness to her life after her father's abandonment. However, in "Me," she confidently asserts that she is capable of fixing herself, stating that she doesn't require anyone to hold her, love her, or pick up the pieces, as she has already mended her broken self and let go of the pain she had been holding onto. In essence, she affirms that she doesn't need anyone else when she has herself.