Kelly Clarkson's "Breakaway" a Cultural Landmark
The first time columnist Malcolm Mayhew saw Kelly Clarkson -- whose U.S. tour rolls through Dallas tonight -- was probably the first time most of us did. On American Idol.
The new show was becoming a surprise sensation (hard to imagine that now), with the competition nearing the finals and tearing the country in half like a virtual, musical Civil War. Mayhew, a writer for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, saw little special about the program or Clarkson, figuring she was just a young girl (left) out to win a TV show.
The next time the reporter saw Clarkson, she was a star with a hit debut record, Thankful. Still, his impression was that after her 15 minutes of fame, she'd fade from the limelight.
Then, the next time he saw Kelly, the paper's music writer gave her follow-up album, Breakaway, a mediocre B-minus review.
But he's finally come around.
There's no denying Kelly's star status now, as Breakaway still floats in and out of the top 50 on Billboardâs albums chart, 85 weeks after its release. It has become an equivalent of Alanis Morissetteâs Jagged Little Pill, even Nirvanaâs Nevermind in terms of chart-topping staying power. Like all three of those records, it has struck a chord with kids and adults, local fans and people all around the country, even people across the world and of all ages.
The reason? Breakaway speaks our language.
It mirrors our emotions. It knows how we feel, whether itâs the relief we feel after we end a disastrous relationship, the devastation of loss, the optimism of rebuilding a broken life, the freedom of getting in your car and just driving away... everything.
It's more than just another album. Kelly Clarkson has created a landmark, a stamp that marks a certain point in our lives. When you listen to Breakaway further on down the road, you will probably think back to what was going on in your life at the time, in the same way baby boomers remember what they were doing the first time Bruce Springsteen sang "Thunder Road."
You'll think of who you were dating, who you were married to, who you had a crush on. Itâll remind you of your kids, your parents, your friends, what you wanted to do back then. When you hear "Since U Been Gone," you won't hesitate to belt out the chorus. At the time, it meant something to you. "Because of You" will make your eyes tear up, while the title track will rekindle the sense of liberation you felt when you made a defining change in your life.
Breakaway, as a whole, is the original soundtrack to 2005 and 2006. Years in which you were convinced your parents didnât understand you. Years when your kids tuned you out. When you quit your job to pursue a dream. When your friend or someone in your family died.
Breakaway is may not be musically masterful, but it is what so many albums arenât -- pivotal and timeless. Itâs the kind of record that every singer aspires to make, in that it has succeeded commercially (5 million copies and counting), critically (a pair of Grammys for Kelly) and that hard-to-find niche in popular music where fans and critics agree.
Itâs the CD you wonât sell when youâre hard up for money.
This is what Kelly Clarkson has accomplished, probably not even on purpose. The Burleson, Texas, native did not mean to become this significant, and still doesnât fully grasp the extent of her popularity and iconic status. She probably never will. Itâs too big, too encompassing, for someone to get their arms around. Especially someone as genuine as Kelly.
If you think about it, it's perfect. Kelly being Kelly is the reason that Breakaway leaves such an impression. The second you start analyzing your own popularity, you start to think about expectations. Thatâs when, in the name of satisfying others, you start forgetting what's important to you, and you can bet that Kelly Clarkson is not about to let that happen.
No matter what happens from here on out, Kelly Clarkson will always have Breakaway and the accolades that came along with it. She'll have "Breakaway," "Since U Been Gone," "Behind These Hazel Eyes," "Because of You," "Gone", "Addicted," "Where is Your Heart," "Walk Away," "You Found Me," "I Hate Myself for Losing You" and "Hear Me," 11 songs that epitomize this particular moment in time.
Not just for her, but for all of us. Thanks, Kelly.
October 1st, 2006 10:51 AM
wits ten!
November 1st, 2006 2:47 PM
i want to meet you some day i am 9 i know you probalbly think oh ok she knows me she likes me songs no, i like you not all your songs i want to meat you email me back not your brother i know about that
November 6th, 2006 1:03 AM
i still think kelly is the best idol to come out of this show
she is the best
November 13th, 2006 3:15 PM
Has a great voice.
Really pretty
Lovely personality
I would love to meet her someday
November 17th, 2006 11:15 PM
LIke hi kelly i like really love your songs lol umm im 15 and your really pretty and nice and u have a nice voice. all my fiends say that i really look like you and my voice is just like yours hehe..... ummm... me talent is singing i'v been singing at 2 hehe....umm i made up my own song called rush along the broken rode. and yaa lmao i think i've ran out of words hehe well any ways umm im like your biggest fan and i wish i could meet you in person... buhbye;;
December 6th, 2006 5:52 PM
kelly my name is lydia i am doing a report for school it is a compare and contrast essay and i am using you and my teacher she trys to sing and it is really funny because every time she does someone says where is kelly when we need here. i love all your songs. i live in east aurora NY and i would like you to email me back. not your brother i know about it. soo please email me back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
from lydia
January 1st, 2007 4:38 PM
Hi Kelly!
I'm from Austria and for me and my freinds you are a really Idol!You're looking great and your voice is fantastic.My room is full of pictures of you.Kiss Mary
13 Years
January 2nd, 2007 1:39 PM
Hello Kelly! Where do you live? In Texas which number address?
January 17th, 2007 9:33 AM
hello Kelly!
I love you **
Good Bay **
=)*
January 21st, 2007 12:44 PM
I`m from finland. I love you always! Your sing voice are beautiful!
January 22nd, 2007 7:44 AM
hi kelly!
I´m from germany and my friends and I know you´re the real idol of the world!!We love you!
Kelly 4 EVER!!!!!!!!
Mini
February 6th, 2007 8:06 AM
Hi, Kelly! I`m from bulgaria. For me and for my friends you are the BEST!We love your songs!
February 18th, 2007 9:01 AM
hi kelly! i love your music your the greaest singer on earth.
i will always lover your music.
bye kelly
March 11th, 2007 2:31 PM
hi kelly, my name is nuria, i'm from spain and i'm a fan of you, i love your songs and i want to meet you because is my dream, just be like that, bye
nuria
March 30th, 2007 12:49 PM
hi kelly!! i think u'r the best!! i'm from a lil'island from spain and i love u so!!! i really enjoy your music and my dream is meet u!! the songs are fantastics, the film is so cool and u'r so great!!! lol... well just all that. kisses by marina
May 14th, 2007 9:32 AM
Kelly is the best!!!!!!!!! I love her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :*:* The best songs: "Because of you", "Behind these hazel eyes", "Breakaway", "A moment like this"... :*
May 14th, 2007 1:18 PM
Hey Kelly,
I love your music and i wish i could hang out with you sometime. Have you ever been 2 LI thats where i live
June 6th, 2007 8:25 AM
i luv kelly clarkson and i like sing but i don't speack very well english
I'm your idol kelly please email mee back ok i luv yu kissssssssssssssssss!!!
June 13th, 2007 9:29 AM
Hi kelly my names is elnaz im from iran ,i love you and i want to meet you beacause this is my dream ,your the best singer for me and my friends,Good Bye.
June 24th, 2007 6:16 AM
hi cows ur all fat and kelly ur an ugly bitch
June 24th, 2007 6:21 AM
hi kelly i wish i could meet u i am ur no 1 fan i av pictures of u all over ma walll iav every single cd u av made i would love to meet u it ma dream i would to cum sing wid u 1 time
i won ma talent show at ma school cuz i was a gd singer and i won it at loads of compations i luv u got to go bye kissessssssssssss luv ya bye
June 26th, 2007 6:05 PM
KELLY YOU ARE MY IDOL! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH ...I GOT ALL YOU ALBONMS ...I LOVE YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FROME xJOSEEx
June 26th, 2007 6:12 PM
i hate kaking...dont be afadid ...because alot of pepale love you and think you asome (l) :D
love XjoseeX
June 30th, 2007 2:16 PM
Hi Kelly,
Your the best out and your first song that me and my girl love and it's our song to be at our wedding day is A moment like this Love you Kelly Clarkson
Love Danny Whitcraft & Sherry Oconell
June 30th, 2007 2:22 PM
Hi Kelly,
We would like to have you sing A moment like this at our wedding day i hope you can come i will email you and tell you ok i will tell you the date thank you Kelly you the best. We would love to meet you soon
Love Danny Whitcraft & Sherry Oconell