Kelly Clarkson is a pop music titan with a career spanning nearly two decades.
Born and raised in the small town of Burleson, Texas, Kelly grew up singing in her school choir.
She rocketed to fame after winning the inaugural season of the reality competition show ‘American Idol’.
It’s pretty hard to envision such modest beginnings when one witnesses her fame today.
Also Kelly Clarkson’s genre and musical style have seen a vast evolution over the years.
Her music parallels and acts such as Katy Perry, P!nk, Demi Lovato, and Avril Lavigne.
So, when you ask, ‘What genre is Kelly Clarkson?’ – the answer may not be restricted to a single type.
Stay tuned as we dust off those CD covers, and plunge into Kelly Clarkson’s music genre.
Kelly Clarkson’s Music Genre
Pop
Kelly Clarkson has made an impressive mark in the world of Pop music.
For those who are just beginning to read into the world of Clarkson – Her pop music is all about catchy melodies that you’ll find yourself humming all day and lyrics that feel like they’re telling your life’s story.
Standout tracks like ‘Behind These Hazel Eyes’ and ‘Already Gone’ are pretty much a textbook examples of pop.
You listen, and it feels like you’re there, living the story, feeling every note.
Pop Rock
Beyond her formidable home turf of Pop, Kelly Clarkson is also a heavy hitter in the Pop Rock scene.
This genre is characterized by its mixture of poppy melodies and high energy tempos guitars.
Big-name songs like ‘Since U Been Gone’ or ‘My Life Would Suck Without You’ are testament to this fusion of Pop and Rock.
These tracks blend Clarkson’s dynamic vocals with vigorous percussions.
Did you know that ‘Since U Been Gone’ is widely recognized as one of the best pop rock anthems of the 2000s?
Other Influences
While Pop and Pop Rock are the main genres you’ll find on the Clarkson menu, her musical recipe doesn’t stop there.
Elements of other genres such as soul, country, and traces of R&B are also sprinkled in her discography.
For instance, take the song ‘Because of You.’ This heart-wrenching track also became a hit in the country category.
The Music Genres Across Her Albums
Thankful (2003)
Kelly burst onto the scene in 2003 with her debut album, ‘Thankful’.
This record was a delicious cocktail of pop and soul.
Highlights include the infectious ‘Miss Independent’ and the goosebump-inducing ‘A Moment Like This’.
Breakaway (2004)
With Breakaway, there was a shift towards a more pop-rock sound.
This album blends powerful vocals and relatable lyrics and is undoubtedly a fan favorite.
‘Since U Been Gone’ and ‘Behind These Hazel Eyes’ are well-loved tracks.
My December (2007)
‘My December’ hit the music scene in 2007, showing a darker, more introspective side of Kelly.
The album serves a rock vibe and gives us emotionally raw tracks.
Fan favorites are songs like ‘Never Again’ and ‘Haunted’.
All I Ever Wanted (2009)
The rollercoaster ride continued with ‘All I Ever Wanted’.
This time, the album was marked by a balance of pop-rock and electro-pop.
Iconic numbers include ‘My Life Would Suck Without You’ and ‘Already Gone’.
Stronger (2011)
Her fifth album, ‘Stronger’, showcased Kelly’s maturation as an artist.
The emphasis was on her storytelling chops coupled with a strong pop vibe.
Tracks like ‘Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)’ topped charts.
Wrapped in Red (2013)
Jump ahead to 2013 and Santa came early in the form of ‘Wrapped in Red’.
With this holiday album, Kelly delivered a festive treat, combining classics and original tracks.
Most notable are her rendition of ‘White Christmas’ and ‘Underneath the Tree’.
Piece by Piece (2015)
‘Piece by Piece’ was unwrapped in 2015 and it’s nothing short of a musical gift.
Toggling between commanding pop anthems and vulnerable tracks.
Standouts include the empowering title track ‘Piece by Piece’ and foot-stomping ‘Heartbeat Song’.
Meaning of Life (2017)
Her album ‘Meaning of Life’ hit a soulful note.
It stays true to her roots in pop and pop-rock, while also venturing into soul and R&B.
Notable tracks are ‘Love So Soft’ and ‘I Don’t Think About You’.
When Christmas Comes Around… (2021)
Fast forward to 2021 and Kelly presents us with another holiday dazzler, ‘When Christmas Comes Around…’.
This one is a cozy blend of newly-penned tracks and beloved festive classics.
Key standouts include the ‘Merry Christmas’ and ‘Santa, Can’t You Hear Me’.
Chemistry (2023)
Stepping into 2023, ‘Chemistry’ hits the airwaves as Kelly’s latest offering.
Here, she goes back to her pop and pop rock roots.
‘mine’, and ‘favorite kind of high’ are highlights from this album.
Conclusion
Kelly Clarkson skillfully infused her music with the core of pop and pop-rock.
Also incorporating influences from soul to R&B.