Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You) — A Video Map Guide

Originally titled as "What Doesn't Kill You", "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)" was written by Jörgen Elofsson, Ali Tamposi, David Gamson, and Greg Kurstin in September 2010. In an interview with American Songwriter, Tamposi revealed that the song was inspired by the Friedrich Nietzsche adage ("That which does not kill us makes us stronger") that her mother told her as advice. Although Tamposi found the phrase saccharine, she submitted it as an idea to Elofsson and Gamson during their writing sessions. Elofsson originally intended "Stronger" for Leona Lewis, who turned it down in the process. Tamposi's manager, Tom Maffei, then had one of his producers, Matty Trump, produce a demo track, later pitched to RCA A&R executive Jeff Aldrich, who gave the song to Clarkson. Tamposi revealed that Clarkson had also altered a lyric from the track. Aldrich had then commissioned Greg Kurstin, whom Clarkson wanted to collaborate with, to produce and add additional writing to the final version. Kurstin recalled, "I rethought the music part of it, I guess. It had a different tempo, beat, chords, and I kinda just came up with that guitar riff that goes into the verse, and that was the first thing that I kinda contributed just changed the feel of the song." The song's uplifting theme of empowerment led Clarkson to name her fifth studio album Stronger. Saying that it is one of her favorite songs in the album, she said, "Everybody loves the message 'What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.' It's a perfect representation of my life."

4px 0;box-sizing:border-box;border:1px solid #aaa;font-size:88%;line-height:1.25em;background-color:var(--background-color-interactive-subtle,#f8f9fa);color:inherit;display:flow-root}infobox .side-boxoutput .side-box-text2px 0 2px 0.9em;text-align:center}2px 0.9em 2px 0;text-align:center}What Doesn't Kill You)" A 22-second sample of "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)" by Kelly Clarkson. The song features "rumbling guitars" and "electronic drums". Problems playing this file? See media help. "Stronger" is a dance-pop and electropop song with a length of three minutes and 41 seconds.

After returning from a vacation in Tahiti, Clarkson found out over 50 of her newly recorded demo material were leaked online, including "Stronger". She commented that the leak felt worse than being physically robbed. In an attempt to counter-attack the leakage, RCA finally debuted the song online on October 5, 2011, three weeks ahead of the album's release. An acoustic version of the song appears in Clarkson's second extended play, iTunes Session. The song was featured in a Toyota Camry commercial featuring Clarkson and other celebrities. "Stronger" was officially released as the album's second single to mainstream radio on January 17, 2012. A dance remixes of the song were made available on February 3, 2012. On February 17, 2012, it was released as a CD single. Critical response Jenna Hally Rubenstein of MTV Buzzworthy compared it to "Since U Been Gone," which has "a super radio-friendly hook." Elizabeth Lancaster of MTV Newsroom listed it as one of five key tracks in Stronger, writing "Upbeat yet soulful, the chorus will drag you up and onto the floor to dance the heartache away alongside her." Grady Smith of Entertainment Weekly thought that the song's "belty pop/rock wheelhouse" should please fans of the sound. He later added that "Clarkson might have been better off releasing "What Doesn't Kill You" as the first track from Stronger." Another positive reception came from Glenn Gamboa of Newsday, who praised Clarkson for "infusing her tales of empowerment after a breakup with her unique combo of vulnerability and sass." Jonathan Keefe of Slant thought that the song is "tailor-made for radio play" and that "the chilly electro-pop that Greg Kurstin brings to the verses, suggests a top forty version of Robyn's "Call Your Girlfriend" (2010). O

Concept and synopsis Clarkson standing in the middle of a flash mob crowd. On November 21, 2011, Clarkson announced on her website that she wanted to incorporate a global flash mob into the accompanying music video of "Stronger". She posted: "I'm shooting my video for "What Doesn't Kill You" and I'd like everyone to join me in my global flash mob! Check out the routine in the video below. Learn it with me and get your cameras ready to record you and your friends rocking these moves in a unique location that shows where you are in the world. Submit your clip using the form below and maybe you'll see it in my music video!! I can't wait to see your submissions. Remember to be creative, but keep it safe and legal! Thanks for participating!" The music video premiered on VEVO on December 14, 2011. Directed by Shane Drake, the video begins with Clarkson in a video control room, watching select flash mob videos submitted by various participants in different monitors. Throughout the video, scenes of Clarkson performing the song in three different settings (alone in a stage, with her band in a garden square, and in the control room) alternate with various flash mob videos. Towards the end of the video, Clarkson, along with the people in the garden square, forms a flash mob featuring a same choreography. Reception Critical reception towards the accompanying music video was positive. Prior to its release, Jenna Halley Rubenstein of MTV Buzzworthy predicted that the video would depict women who triumphed over broken relationships as a homage to self-sufficiency. However, she praised the different treatment of the video, complimenting the synchronized dancing and thought that Clarkson kept it classy. Leah Collins of The Vancouver Sun interpreted that the video depicts Clarkson developing a sense of strength and endurance as well as an ability to lead a large-scal

Clarkson performing the song at Wembley Stadium in London, United Kingdom, June 2012 Clarkson first performed "Stronger" in live concerts, she first performed it in a Sony-sponsored concert held at The Troubador in Los Angeles on October 19, 2011. On November 9, 2011, she performed the song at Z100's annual Jingle Ball concert at Madison Square Garden. She also performed an acoustic version the song on the VH1 Unplugged: Kelly Clarkson special which premiered on VH1 on November 18, 2011. "Stronger" has been performed prominently in her fourth headlining tour, the Stronger Tour. Clarkson also promoted "Stronger" in live television events, the first live televised performance of the song was on November 23, 2011, during The X Factor (US) results show. On December 18, 2011, she performed the song on VH1 Divas Celebrates Soul television special. On January 7, 2012, she performed it along with "Mr. Know It All" on the 37th season of Saturday Night Live. On June 6, 2012, Clarkson performed it on the British television series This Morning. Clarkson also performed a medley of the "Stronger" with the succeeding single "Dark Side" on various television events, such as at the season finale of the fourteenth season of Dancing with the Stars on May 22, 2012, and at the 2012 MuchMusic Video Awards on June 17, 2012. On June 8, 2018, Clarkson performed it on Today.

Amber Riley, Naya Rivera, and Heather Morris performed the song in the season three episode of Glee, "On My Way", which aired on February 21, 2012. Raymund Flandez of The Wall Street Journal described the trio's performance as "fine, fierce and fabulous." Their version of "Stronger" debuted on the Hot 100 at number 66 on the week ending March 3, 2012 as "What Doesn't Kill You (Stronger)". On March 22, 2012, it was first performed by Diandra Flores on the sixth season of the Finnish television series Idols. On April 11, 2012, it was covered by Hollie Cavanagh, Joshua Ledet and Jessica Sanchez in the eleventh season of American Idol. On May 12, 2012, it was performed by Joelle Moses after will.i.am's recommendation on the first series of The Voice UK. Clarkson also performed the song with Jordan Meredith on the television series Duets, where she is also a mentor. On March 16, 2012, the song was performed by various participants during the season finale of the fifth season of the Danish television series X Factor. On October 28, 2013, Tessanne Chin covered the song on Season 5 of NBC's singing competition, The Voice for her performance in the Knockout round vs. Ashley DuBose (who performed "Hey, Soul Sister" by Train). In 2018, Dove Cameron and China Anne McClain recorded a version with slightly altered lyrics for Disney's Descendants franchise. In 2020, Anastacia covered the song for the compilation album Goodnight Songs for Rebel Girls.

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Credits adapted from Stronger liner notes. Recording Recorded at Echo Recording Studio, Los Angeles, California Personnel Kelly Clarkson – background vocals, lead vocals, songwriter Greg Kurstin - background vocals Ali Tamposi – songwriter David Gamson – songwriter Greg Kurstin – songwriter, producer, keyboards, bass, guitar and programming Jörgen Elofsson – songwriter Jesse Shatkin – engineering

The song was briefly featured in the film Final Destination Bloodlines.

Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)" Chart (2011–2025) Peakposition Australia (ARIA) 18 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) 6 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) 25 Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia) 1 Brazil (Billboard Hot 100 Airplay) 84 Canada Hot 100 (Billboard) 3 Canada AC (Billboard) 2 Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard) 4 Canada Hot AC (Billboard) 1 CIS Airplay (TopHit) 5 Czech Republic Airplay (ČNS IFPI) 4 Denmark (Tracklisten) 8 Denmark Airplay (Tracklisten) 1 Estonia Airplay (TopHit) 104 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista) 10 Euro Digital Song Sales (Billboard) 9 France (SNEP) 20 Germany (GfK) 27 Global Dance Tracks (Billboard) 24 Hungary (Rádiós Top 40) 4 Hungary (Single Top 40) 3 Iceland (Tónlist) 26 Ireland (IRMA) 4 Israel International Airplay (Media Forest) 9 Japan (Japan Hot 100 Airplay) 96 Japan Adult Contemporary (Billboard) 32 Lebanon Airplay (Lebanese Top 20) 6 Luxembourg Digital Song Sales (Billboard) 5 Mexico Inglés (Billboard) 4 Mexico Top Inglés (Monitor Latino) 11 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade) 9 Netherlands (Single Top 100) 59 Norway (VG-lista) 17 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) 4 Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100) 1 Portugal Digital Songs (Billboard) 6 Russia Airplay (TopHit) 4 Scotland Singles (OCC) 5 Slovakia Airplay (ČNS IFPI) 1 Slovenia (SloTop50) 1 South Korea (Gaon) 79 Spain (Promusicae) 9 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) 30 Switz

Region Certification Certified units/sales Australia (ARIA) 3× Platinum 210,000^ Austria (IFPI Austria) Gold 15,000* Canada (Music Canada) Platinum 80,000* Denmark (IFPI Danmark) Gold 15,000^ Finland — 4,429 Mexico (AMPROFON) Gold 30,000* New Zealand (RMNZ) 3× Platinum 90,000‡ Norway (IFPI Norway) Gold 5,000* Spain (Promusicae) Gold 30,000‡ Sweden (GLF) Platinum 40,000‡ United Kingdom (BPI) 2× Platinum 1,200,000‡ United States (RIAA) 7× Platinum 7,000,000‡ Streaming Denmark (IFPI Danmark) Platinum 900,000† * Sales figures based on certification alone.^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.† Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

Region Date Label Format United States January 17, 2012 (2012-01-17) RCA Records Hot Adult Contemporary Radio February 3, 2012 (2012-02-03) Digital download – The Remixes Australia Sony Music Entertainment Digital download – EP Canada Italy Poland Portugal Sweden Spain Switzerland Belgium Digital download – The Remixes and EP Mexico Netherlands Norway Digital download – The Remixes France Jive Epic Group Digital download United Kingdom RCA Records Finland February 6, 2012 (2012-02-06) Sony Music Entertainment Germany February 17, 2012 (2012-02-17) CD single Austria Canada March 9, 2012 (2012-03-09) Japan Sony Music Japan United Kingdom RCA Records