“Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” is a song by American recording artist Kelly Clarkson, featured on her fifth studio album, Stronger (2011). Written by Jörgen Elofsson, Ali Tamposi, David Gamson, and Greg Kurstin, the song was released as the album’s second single on January 17, 2012. It quickly became a commercial success, reaching the No. 1 position on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping various other charts worldwide.
The song’s lyrics revolve around themes of empowerment and recovery following a heartbreak. The chorus, inspired by Friedrich Nietzsche’s famous quote, “That which does not kill us makes us stronger,” underscores the idea that overcoming adversity can lead to personal growth and resilience.
In this article, we’ll explore the message conveyed in the song’s lyrics.
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“Stronger” Lyrics Meaning
[Verse 1]
You know the bed feels warmer
Sleepin’ here alone (Sleepin’ here alone)
You know I dream in color
And do the things I want (Do the things I want)
In the first verse, Clarkson describes the newfound comfort and freedom she experiences after a breakup. The lines “You know the bed feels warmer / Sleepin’ here alone” and “You know I dream in color / And do the things I want” suggest a sense of liberation and self-discovery. She is embracing her independence and enjoying the ability to live life on her own terms.
[Pre-Chorus]
You think you got the best of me
Think you’ve had the last laugh
Bet you think that everything good is gone
Think you left me broken down
Think that I’ll come running back
Baby, you don’t know me, ’cause you’re dead wrong
The pre-chorus addresses the misconceptions of an ex-partner who believes they have left her broken and defeated. Lines like “You think you got the best of me / Think you’ve had the last laugh” highlight the ex’s underestimation of her resilience.
Clarkson asserts that they are wrong in assuming she will come running back, emphasizing her strength and determination to move forward.
[Chorus]
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn’t mean I’m lonely when I’m alone
What doesn’t kill you makes a fighter
Footsteps even lighter
Doesn’t mean I’m over ’cause you’re gone
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, stronger
Just me, myself, and I
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn’t mean I’m lonely when I’m alone
The chorus is the heart of the song, with the repeated phrase “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” This is inspired by Friedrich Nietzsche’s famous quote, and it conveys the message that overcoming adversity leads to personal growth and empowerment.
The lines “Stand a little taller / Doesn’t mean I’m lonely when I’m alone” further reinforce that being alone does not equate to loneliness or weakness. Instead, it signifies self-reliance and confidence.
[Verse 2]
You heard that I was starting over with someone new
They told you I was moving on and over you
In the second verse, Clarkson addresses rumors that she is moving on with someone new. This suggests that she is not only surviving but thriving after the breakup. It highlights her ability to let go of the past and embrace new beginnings.
[Bridge]
Thanks to you, I got a new thing started
Thanks to you, I’m not the broken-hearted
Thanks to you I’m finally thinkin’ ’bout me
You know in the end, the day you left was just my beginning
In the end
The bridge expresses gratitude towards the ex-partner for inadvertently helping her become stronger.
Lines like “Thanks to you, I got a new thing started” and “the day you left was just my beginning” illustrate how the end of the relationship was a catalyst for personal growth and self-focus.
The use of antithesis with “end” and “beginning” emphasizes the transformative nature of her journey.
[Outro]
When I’m alone
The outro reiterates the theme of self-sufficiency and strength, ending the song on a note of empowerment. It reinforces the idea that being alone is a choice and a testament to her resilience.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Stronger”
“Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” is a powerful anthem about overcoming challenges and emerging stronger and more self-assured. It resonates with anyone who has faced adversity and found strength within themselves.
The song’s lyrics focus on the idea that difficult experiences, such as breakups or other forms of hardship, can lead to personal growth and increased strength. Clarkson herself considered the lyric “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” as a perfect representation of her life.
One of the song’s co-writers, Ali Tamposi, drew inspiration from her own life. During a difficult breakup, her mother advised her with the Nietzsche quote “That which does not kill us makes us stronger”, which resonated deeply with Tamposi. She brought this idea to the writing session with Jörgen Elofsson and David Gamson, which led to the creation of the song.
Initially titled “What Doesn’t Kill You,” it was written by Jörgen Elofsson, Ali Tamposi, David Gamson, and later produced and further developed by Greg Kurstin. Clarkson herself contributed to the lyrics, making changes to better reflect her personal style and experiences.
Clarkson revealed in an interview that the song does not refer to a specific person but rather draws from her experiences in different relationships. She explained, “I didn’t have a bad breakup or anything, I just think life is about relationships so I always write all about these different ones going on in my life. And I don’t have a filter, so it’s pretty verbatim.”
In the song, Clarkson acknowledges that the end of the relationship was a catalyst for her personal growth and self-focus. The lines “Thanks to you, I got a new thing started / Thanks to you, I’m not the broken-hearted / Thanks to you I’m finally thinkin’ ’bout me / You know in the end, the day you left was just my beginning / In the end” suggest that the breakup was actually a new beginning for her, allowing her to prioritize herself and her own happiness.
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