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Song Lyric Sunday was created by Helen Vahdati from This Thing Called Life One Word at a Time and author Jim Adams from A Unique Title For Me is our current host. For complete rules or to join in the fun, click here.
This week’s theme is “Alone/Confined/Depressed/Isolated/Restless/Solo.”
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Kelly Clarkson originally wrote Because of You when she was 16 years old to cope with the emotional distress caused by her parents’ divorce. The song explores the pain of Clarkson’s deteriorating relationship with her father and the isolation she felt from both parents.
She wanted the song to be included on her debut studio album, Thankful (2003), but her record label rejected the song. She then polished the song with David Hodges and Ben Moody (both from Evanescence) before successfully convincing her label to include it on her second album, Breakaway, in 2005.
Because of You peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 and sold over 2 million digital downloads in the United States. It was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
FUN FACTS:
- Because of You became Clarkson’s biggest success in Europe, topping the European Hot 100 Singles chart. It also reached number one in Brazil, the Netherlands, Denmark and Switzerland, as well as the top ten in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.
- Because of You won in the category for Best Female Video at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards.
- In 2007, the song was recorded by Reba McEntire as a duet with Clarkson, which was released as a lead single for McEntire’s twenty-fourth studio album Reba: Duets.
Clarkson wrote the treatment for the accompanying video herself in order to reflect the pain that she felt due to her parents’ divorce. The video’s plot centers on Clarkson engaging in a heated argument with her husband in front of her child before realizing that she was repeating her parents’ mistake.
Enjoy!
See my Song Lyric Sunday selection for FeliciaDenise.com.
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Disclaimer: I have no copyrights to the song and/or video and/or hyperlinks to songs and/or videos and/or gifs above. No copyright infringement intended.
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Because of You
The same mistakes that you did
I will not let myself
Cause my heart so much misery
I will not break
The way you did, you fell so hard
I’ve learned the hard way
To never let it get that far
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side so I don’t get hurt
Because of you
I find it hard to trust not only me, but everyone around me
Because of you
I am afraid
And it’s not too long before you point it out
I cannot cry
Because I know that’s weakness in your eyes
I’m forced to fake
A smile, a laugh everyday of my life
My heart can’t possibly break
When it wasn’t even whole to start with
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side so I don’t get hurt
Because of you
I find it hard to trust not only me, but everyone around me
Because of you
I am afraid
I heard you cry every night in your sleep
I was so young
You should have known
Better than to lean on me
You never thought of anyone else
You just saw your pain
And now I cry in the middle of the night
For the same damn thing
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side so I don’t get hurt
Because of you
I try my hardest just to forget everything
Because of you
I don’t know how to let anyone else in
Because of you
I’m ashamed of my life
Because it’s empty
Because of you
I am afraid
Because of you
Nesie's Place 
“Because of You” is such a beautiful song! I remember when it first came out and I got chills because of the emotions in the song. Did you know Kelly has a talkshow now?
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Kelly is everywhere lately, and I’m happy for her. She’s so down to earth. I’m a big fan…but I only want to hear her sing. LOL!
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You know, I’ve never paid attention to the actual lyrics to this song, but they are very powerful, and the video is brilliantly reminiscent of 80’s/90’s videos that used to tell a story and actually go along with the song.
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I love the duet with Reba.
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It’s amazing that this song didn’t make to the top of the charts in the US, but plenty of her other songs did. She is amazing and resilient and hails from my home state of Texas. I’ve loved her since watching her on American Idol. I’m a fan, what can I say? Great choice for the prompt today Felicia! 🙂
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Thanks, Lisa! 😊
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Love that Kelly didn’t quit. Nice story of coming back to include this song in her next album. Very fitting for the prompt.
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Thanks for stopping by! 😊
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Heartbreakingly beautiful.
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Agreed! Thanks for stopping by and commenting! 😊
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this is a heartbreaking video and I can see why it won an award. Kelly Clarkson has a powerful voice and she is really good at changing tempo. Great song Felicia.
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Thanks, Jim! She is a master at ballads. 😊
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It does not surprise me that this was her biggest track in Europe. When I think of Kelly Clarkson this is the track that comes to mind. It was very popular. I think it is a fabulous track and captures how pain can affect a person. I also like her song Miss Independent. Although I am sure she probably has other great tracks. Her voice is mint!
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I’m not an American Idol fan and never saw Kelly on the show, but it’s easy to see why she won. Her voice is amazing! She’s never sang a song I didn’t like! Thanks for stopping by. 😊
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