Miss Independent (Kelly Clarkson song)

"Miss Independent"
Single by Kelly Clarkson
from the album Thankful
Released April 10, 2003 (2003-04-10)[1]
Format
Recorded 2002–03;
Sound Gallery Studios
(Los Angeles, California)
Genre
Length 3:35
Label RCA
Writer(s)
Producer(s) Rhett Lawrence
Certification Gold (ARIA, RIAA)
Kelly Clarkson singles chronology
"Before Your Love"/"A Moment Like This"
(2002)		 "Miss Independent"
(2003)		 "Low"
(2003)

"Miss Independent" is a song by American pop artist Kelly Clarkson. It served as the lead single from her debut studio album, Thankful (2003). Written by Clarkson, Christina Aguilera, Rhett Lawrence, and Matt Morris, with Lawrence serving as producer, it was released by RCA Records on April 10, 2003. The track was initially intended for Aguilera's fourth album, Stripped (2002), but was later given to Clarkson when the song was left unfinished at the time of Stripped’s development.

"Miss Independent" is a pop rock song with R&B influences. It tells of a story of an independent woman who finally allows herself to lower her emotional and communication barriers to fall in love. Its theme of self-sufficiency would later served as a template for Clarkson's subsequent releases. The song generally received positive response from music critics, while criticism targeted the song's similarity to Aguilera's material. "Miss Independent" gave Clarkson her first Grammy nomination in the Best Female Pop Vocal Performance category at the 46th Grammy Awards in 2004.

The song's commercial success helped in presenting Clarkson's "girl next door" image to the public and contributed in eliminating her "American Idol" persona.[2] In the United States, it peaked at number 1 on the Billboard Pop Songs chart and peaked at number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It also attained a top ten position in Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. It was eventually certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). The song's accompanying music video was directed by Liz Friedlander, and featured Clarkson singing at a house party. Clarkson premiered the song during the second season of American Idol, and has included it in set lists in most of her concert tours.

Background and release

Christina Aguilera co-wrote the song, which was previously intended for her album Stripped (2002).[2]

American record producer Rhett Lawrence first offered the early work of the song, titled "Miss Independence", to American R&B trio Destiny's Child whom later turned down the offer to record the song.[3] Lawrence then collaborated with Christina Aguilera and Matt Morris to record "Miss Independence" for Aguilera's fourth studio album Stripped (2002).[2] Aguilera, who co-wrote the track, ultimately decided not to include it for the album, leaving it half-finished without the bridge.[4]

Lawrence, Clarkson's then manager Simon Fuller and music mogul Clive Davis suggested that Clarkson finish writing "Miss Independence", and record it for her debut album Thankful (2003).[4] One of Clarkson's A&R managers, Keith Naftaly, suggested to re-title it as "Miss Independent".[2] It was one of three songs on Thankful that Clarkson co-wrote, the others being "You Thought Wrong" and "Thankful".[4] The song was released by RCA Records on April 10, 2003, ten days ahead of the Thankful’s release.[4] In 2009, it was made available for purchase as a downloadable content (DLC) for the Rock Band, Rock Band 2, and Lego Rock Band video games.[5]

In an interview on Total Request Live, Aguilera revealed that upon hearing Clarkson's version of the track, she became miffed that RCA, which was also her record label, decided to release it without her permission - however she also praised Clarkson's vocal performance. She told Clarkson on the air, "if the song was to go to anyone I'm glad that it went to you because you gave it justice."[6] In 2010, Clarkson told the Bournemouth Daily Echo that "I had to argue with the record label to the point of literally crying to get "Miss Independent" on the album, then they released it as my debut single and it was a hit."[7]

Composition
"Miss Independent"
A 23-second sample of "Miss Independent, highlighting the musical composition.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"Miss Independent" is a R&B-styled[8] pop rock song.[2][9] Katherine St Asaph of Popdust noted that "it’s the closest Kelly Clarkson’s come to R&B."[10] Clarkson credited that Aguilera's rhythmic style has heavily influenced the song. She remarked, "You can hear a lot of her influence in "'Miss Independent", especially the hook. And once you hear the song, it's constantly in your head. Believe me, I cannot get it out!"[11] Rachell Kipp of Associated Press wrote that "Miss Independent" "sounds like a half-baked remake of Aguilera's "Dirrty" (2002)"[12] The song has a length of three minutes and 35 seconds and is written in the key of D major, Clarkson's vocal range spans from F♯3 to F♯5.[13]

The lyrics tells the story of an independent woman who was apprehensive about being in a relationship in fears of being rejected, she finally allows herself to break her emotional and communication barriers when she begins to fall in love. Clarkson revealed that she finds herself similar to the titular "Miss Independent". She said, "It's very funny when the song came into play with me ... 'cause at that certain time of my life, I was actually going through that kind of thing," Clarkson said. "I've always been real guarded about work and career. It wasn't even with, like, guy relationships, it was just, like, friends and just letting people in, you know? And so it was kinda weird 'cause I was going through that same thing at the same time, so it was very easy for me to write the bridge to the song."[14]

Critical reception

"Miss Independent" has received mixed to positive reviews from music critics, who lauded Clarkson for distancing herself from her American Idol persona, but criticism targeted the song's resemblance to some of the song's on Stripped— particularly on "Dirrty" and "Fighter" (2002). On its release, Brian Hiatt of Entertainment Weekly noted that "its hard R&B sound may shock fans who embraced the mellow "A Moment Like This." "Miss Independent" begins with Clarkson singing in a throaty moan over a bangin' hip-hop beat, then bursts into a power-chord-propelled, disco-diva chorus that's not unlike Britney Spears' "Stronger"."[15] Rolling Stone wrote, ""A Moment Like This" was exactly the sort of treacly by-the-numbers ballad critics expected of a TV-contest winner; that's probably why its assertive follow-up, "Miss Independent," was such a surprise."[16] AllMusic's senior editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote that it "managed to make Kelly Clarkson seem younger and hipper without slutting her up like Christina Aguilera (who, ironically, co-wrote "Miss Independent," the first single from Thankful) while retaining a strong sense of melodic songcraft."[17] Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine wrote that the song "gives Clarkson the youthful edge she desperately needs to balance out the Adult Contemporary goo of songs like "Anytime" and "A Moment Like This." Cinquemani also added, ""Miss Independent" is no "Dirrty," but it proves that if anyone can out-sing Aguilera, it's Clarkson."[18] On March 5, 2013, Billboard ranked the it the number sixteen in its list of "Top 100 American Idol Hits of All Time".[19]

Howard Cohen of The Baltimore Sun wrote, "The R&B-styled stomper "Miss Independent", sounds like the fat removed from Aguilera's meatier "Fighter" - which could well be the case, since she co-wrote both tunes."[8] Elysa Gardner of USA Today was more critical of the song, calling it "breathless" and "colorless".[20] She also added that the song "sounds less like the edgy, strong-but-vulnerable-woman number it purports to be than the Christina Aguilera throwaway it basically is."[20] The song received a nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 2004 Grammy Awards, but lost out to Aguilera's "Beautiful".[21] It was also nominated for Choice Summer Song at the 2003 Teen Choice Awards.

Commercial performance

"Miss Independent" debuted at the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart at number 23 on the week ending May 3, 2003.[22] It then debuted on the Pop Songs chart for the week ending May 10, 2003,[23] eventually topping the chart for six weeks beginning on the week ending June 28, 2003.[24] The song debuted on the main Billboard Hot 100 on the week ending May 17, 2003 at number 61,[25] eventually reaching at number 9 on the week ending July 19, 2003, becoming her second Top Ten single in the United States.[26] It also charted on Adult Pop Songs and Adult Contemporary charts at number 14 and number 28, respectively.[27][28] The single's success came out at the time when the Billboard charts were relying to more R&B and rhythmic stations than pop stations. As of April 2010, "Miss Independent" has sold over 759,000 digital downloads in the United States.[29] It was certified Gold by Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in 2006.[30]

Internationally, the song also became a commercial success, becoming Clarkson's first single to chart outside of North America. In Australia, it debuted on the Australian Singles Chart at number 17 on August 2003, it eventually peaked at number 4 after Clarkson performed it at the 2003 NRL Grand Final at the Stadium Australia on October 5, 2003.[31] It eventually became her highest-charting single in Australia along with "Since U Been Gone" (2004) before being overtaken by "Mr. Know It All", which topped the chart in 2011.[32] In the United Kingdom, "Miss Independent" debuted at the UK Singles Chart on August 2003. It the Netherlands, the song debuted on the Dutch Top 40 at number 27, eventually peaking at number 9. The song also charted in Austria, Germany, Ireland, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Music video

The song's accompanying music video was filmed in Los Angeles by Liz Friedlander, who didn't know Clarkson at the time. Friedlander remarked, "Honestly, I never watched American Idol, so I didn't have a preconceived notion of her." She said about the video, "The song is explosive and young and has some cool electronic beats, so we took the visual style from the music."[14] Clarkson added "It's gonna be more Kelly Clarkson the artist, not [Kelly Clarkson] from 'American Idol."[14] The video features Clarkson performing at a house party in reverse, starting from the morning after and working its way back to the previous night, where she appears attracted to a "surfer" whom she keeps seeing in mirrors. Friedlander adds, "And in the end — maybe — they get together."[14] It premiered on MTV on June 2, 2003.[33] The video received three nominations at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards—Best New Artist in a Video, Best Pop Video, and Viewer's Choice Award.[34]

Live performances

Clarkson premiered "Miss Independent" on the second season of American Idol in May 2003.[4][14] Throughout 2003, she performed it on various television events, including the inaugural season of Australian Idol, The Late Show with David Letterman, and The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn.[14][35] She also performed the song in sports events, notably at the 2003 NRL Grand Final at the Stadium Australia on October 5, 2003.[31] Since then, she has included the song in her set lists on tour, even naming her first co-headlining tour, the Independent Tour (20040, after the song.[36] In 2012, she performed a medley of her songs at the 40th Anniversary American Music Awards, beginning with "Miss Independent", continuing to "Since U Been Gone", "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)", and "Catch My Breath".[37]

Formats and track listing

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2003) Peak
position
align="center" Australia (ARIA)[45] 3
align="center" Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[46] 39
align="center" Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[47] 9
align="center" Germany (Official German Charts)[48] 52
align="center" Ireland (IRMA)[49] 11
align="center" Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[50] 9
align="center" Netherlands (Single Top 100)[51] 27
align="center" Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[52] 25
align="center" Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[53] 44
align="center" UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[54] 6
align="center" US Billboard Hot 100[55] 9
align="center" US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[56] 1
align="center" US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[57] 14
align="center" US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[58] 28

Year-end charts

Chart (2003) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[59] 53
US Billboard Hot 100[60] 44
US Pop Songs (Billboard)[60] 14
US Adult Pop Songs (Billboard)[60] 31

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/Sales
Australia (ARIA)[61] Gold 35,000^
United States (RIAA)[62] Gold 759,000[29]^

^shipments figures based on certification alone

Release history

List of release dates, showing region, release format, label and catalog number
Region Date Format Label Catalog Ref.
United States April 10, 2003 Mainstream radio RCA N/A [1]
May 25, 2003 CD single 82876-55924-2 [39]
Austria August 12, 2003 Maxi single BMG 82876-54872-2 [42]
Germany [42]
United Kingdom CD single RCA 82876-55364-1 [42]
Cassette single BMG 553644 [43]
United States September 23, 2003 12" single RDAB 54626 [38]
7" single 82876-56533-7 [41]
Digital download N/A [44]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Hay, Carla (April 26, 2003). "'Idol' ups stakes for talent". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Vol. 115, No. 17: 1, 67. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved April 5, 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Davis, Clive; DeCurtis, Anthony (2013). The Soundtrack of My Life. New York: Simon & Schuster. p. 498. ISBN 978-1476714783.
  3. ↑ "'Miss Independent' (From Destiny's Child to Christina Aguilera to Kelly Clarkson)". AOL. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Moss, Corey (April 8, 2003). "Kelly Clarkson Single Co-Written By Christina Aguilera". MTV. Viacom Media Networks. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  5. ↑ ""Miss Independent" by Kelly Clarkson". Rock band. Harmonix/MTV Games/Electronic Arts. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  6. ↑ "Aguilera Thrilled With Clarkson's Miss Independent". TeenMusic. February 14, 2004. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  7. ↑ Revel, Sam (February 14, 2010). "Kelly Clarkson talks to the Echo ahead of her BIC gig". Bournemouth Daily Echo. Newsquest. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  8. 1 2 Cohen, Howard (May 8, 2003). "Debut is a bland formula". The Baltimore Sun. Tribune Company. Archived from the original on April 5, 2013. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  9. ↑ "Greatest Hits - Chapter One : Kelly Clarkson : Miss Independent : Rhapsody". Rhapsody (online music service). Rhapsody International. April 30, 2010. Retrieved March 5, 2013.
  10. ↑ St. Asaph, Katherine (May 1, 2012). "Billboard Awards Add Kelly Clarkson, Usher, Linkin Park And Nelly Furtado: Let's Play Switcheroo!". Popdust. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  11. ↑ Moss, Corey (April 15, 2003). "As Kelly Clarkson Drops LP, She's Thankful For Simon's Barbs". MTV. Viacom Media Networks. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  12. ↑ Kipp, Rachel (April 17, 2003). "Album reviews – Thankful". archived by Google News. Associated Press. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  13. ↑ "Miss Independent – Sheet Music". Music Notes. Hal Leonard Corporation. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Moss, Corey (May 5, 2003). "Kelly Clarkson Distances Herself From 'Idol,' Throws House Party For New Video". MTV. Viacom Media Networks. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  15. ↑ Hiatt, brian (November 13, 2012). "'Independent' Woman". Entertainment Weekly. Time Warner. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  16. ↑ Hiatt, brian. "Kelly Clarkson Biography". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  17. ↑ Thomas Erlewine, Stephen. "Thankful — Kelly Clarkson : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards : AllMusic". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  18. ↑ Cinquemani, Sam (April 17, 2003). "Kelly Clarkson: Thankful — Slant Magazine". Slant Magazine. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  19. ↑ Bronson, Fred (March 5, 2013). "Top 100 'American Idol' Hits of All Time". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved April 3, 2013.
  20. 1 2 Gardner, Elysa (April 14, 2003). "Clarkson's 'Thankful' much obliged to many". USA Today. Gannett Company, Inc. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  21. ↑ Nelson, Chris (December 18, 2003). "Who Becomes An Idol Most?". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  22. ↑ "Bubbling Under Hot 100 - May 3, 2003". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. May 3, 2003. Retrieved April 5, 2013.
  23. ↑ "Mainstream Top 40 - May 10, 2003". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Vol. 115, No. 19: 74. May 10, 2003. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved April 5, 2013.
  24. ↑ "Mainstream Top 40 - June 28, 2003". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. June 28, 2003. Retrieved April 5, 2013.(subscription required)
  25. ↑ "The Billboard Hot 100 - May 17, 2003". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Vol. 115, No. 20: 69. May 17, 2003. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved April 5, 2013.
  26. ↑ "The Billboard Hot 100 - July 19, 2003". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Vol. 115, No. 29: 58. July 19, 2003. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  27. ↑ "Adult Top 40 - August 23, 2003". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Vol. 115, No. 34: 69. August 23, 2003. Retrieved April 5, 2013.
  28. ↑ "Adult Contemporary - September 13, 2003". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. September 13, 2003. Retrieved April 5, 2013.(subscription required)
  29. 1 2 Grein, Paul (April 30, 2010). "Chart Watch Extra: American Idol's Million-Sellers". Yahoo! Music. Yahoo! Inc. Retrieved March 5, 2013.
  30. ↑ "American single certifications – Kelly Clarkson – Miss Independent". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved April 3, 2013. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH
  31. 1 2 Alex Brown, Malcolm Brown and Jacqueline Maley (October 6, 2003). "Fairytale of the year: Panthers pluck Roosters". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  32. ↑ "Number Ones - Kelly Clarkson 'Mr. Know It All'". The Vine. Australia. October 17, 2011. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  33. ↑ "Miss Independent - Kelly Clarkson - Music Video". MTV. Viacom Media Networks. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  34. ↑ "2003 MTV Video Music Awards winners list". MTV. Viacom Media Networks. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  35. ↑ "Kelly Clarkson does Miss Independent on Australian Idol". Nova FM. September 16, 2003. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  36. ↑ Moss, Corey (January 13, 2004). "Clay Aiken, Kelly Clarkson Plan Joint Headlining Tour". MTV. Viacom Media Networks. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  37. ↑ Williott, Carl (November 18, 2012). "2012 American Music Awards: Watch Kelly Clarkson Give Us A Career Retrospective". Idolator. Buzz Media. Retrieved April 5, 2013.
  38. 1 2 "Miss Independent – Single by Kelly Clarkson". iTunes Store. Apple, Inc. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  39. 1 2 "Kelly Clarkson – Miss Independent (CD)". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved April 5, 2013.
  40. ↑ "Kelly Clarkson – Miss Independent (12" Vinyl)". VinylSearcher.com. Retrieved April 3, 2013.
  41. 1 2 "Kelly Clarkson – Miss Independent (7" Vinyl)". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved April 5, 2013.
  42. 1 2 3 4 "Kelly Clarkson – Miss Independent (CD, Maxi)". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved April 5, 2013.
  43. 1 2 "Kelly Clarkson – Miss Independent (Casette)". Esprit International Ltd. Archived from the original on April 3, 2013. Retrieved April 3, 2013.
  44. 1 2 "Kelly Clarkson – Miss Independent (CD)". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved April 5, 2013.
  45. ↑ "Australian-charts.com – Kelly Clarkson – Miss Independent". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  46. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Kelly Clarkson – Miss Independent" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  47. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Kelly Clarkson – Miss Independent" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
  48. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Kelly Clarkson – Miss Independent". GfK Entertainment Charts.
  49. ↑ "Chart Track: Week 35, 2003". Irish Singles Chart.
  50. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 39, 2003" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40
  51. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Kelly Clarkson – Miss Independent" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  52. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Kelly Clarkson – Miss Independent". Singles Top 100.
  53. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Kelly Clarkson – Miss Independent". Swiss Singles Chart.
  54. ↑ "Archive Chart: 2003-09-06" UK Singles Chart.
  55. ↑ "Kelly Clarkson – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for Kelly Clarkson.
  56. ↑ "Kelly Clarkson – Chart history" Billboard Pop Songs for Kelly Clarkson.
  57. ↑ "Kelly Clarkson – Chart history" Billboard Adult Pop Songs for Kelly Clarkson.
  58. ↑ "Kelly Clarkson – Chart history" Billboard Adult Contemporary for Kelly Clarkson.
  59. ↑ "ARIA Charts - End Of Year Charts - Top 100 Singles 2003". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  60. 1 2 3 "2003 - The Year in Music". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Vol. 115, No. 52: 5, 40,. December 27, 2003. Retrieved April 5, 2013.
  61. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2003 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association.
  62. ↑ "American single certifications – Kelly Clarkson – Miss Independent". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH

External links

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