To date Kelly Clarkson has released an astonishing ten Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 singles (including three #1s) and five Billboard 200 Top 5 albums, so it makes perfect sense that her label is choosing to release the first ever American Idol winner’s FIRST ever Greatest Hits compilation album. On November 19th, Clarkson’s longtime label RCA Records will release Greatest Hits – Chapter 1, with lead single “Catch My Breath” set to impact radio and digital retailers on October 16th. The compilation album will include a selection of hits from Clarkson’s past five albums as well as three brand new tracks, including “Catch My Breath.”
Co-written by Clarkson, Jason Halbert and Eric Olson, “Catch My Breath” is Clarkson’s first single since “Dark Side,” her third and final single taken from her fifth studio album, Stronger, which debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 chart following it’s release nearly a year ago. Last Thursday, Clarkson took to her official website to express just what this greatest hits album and new single means to her. According to Clarkson,
“It’s been a decade now since I won American Idol. Sometimes it feels longer because although it has been exciting that was a lot of pressure to have as a 19 year old girl. To own a company, lead an organization as a business woman, and be able to create music I’m proud of has been tough but inspiring for me. To celebrate the strength and longevity that my fans, friends and family have supported me with I wrote this song “Catch My Breath” with one of my best friends that has seen me through everything. This song represents who I’ve been, what I’ve felt and where I’m headed as not only an artist but as a 30 year old that is now smart enough to know that it’s time to stop, catch my breath, and be proud of not only what has been accomplished but of all the people that have helped me become the woman I am today. The song will be part of my first ever greatest hits coming in November. Thank you everyone that has been a part of career and life. Here’s to another decade of passion and fun!”
As one of the most successful (if not THE most successful) American Idol alum, Clarkson has released 5 studio albums (Thankful, Breakaway, My December, All I Ever Wanted, Stronger), sold over 20 million albums worldwide, 10 million albums in the US and has had 10 singles in the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. She’s won 2 Grammy Awards, 4 American Music Awards, 3 MTV Video Music Awards, 2 Academy of Country Music Awards, 1 Country Music Association Award and 12 Billboard Music Awards. Not only did her last album Stronger debut at #2 on the Billboard 200 but it also produced her ninth and tenth Top 10 SMASHes with “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” charting at #1 for two consecutive weeks marking her third #1 on the Hot 100 after 2002’s “A Moment Like This” and 2009’s “My Life Would Suck Without You.” Kelly also was one of the judges on ABC’s music reality competition Duets as well as a guest mentor for Blake Shelton on NBC’s The Voice.
Stay tuned for the premiere of “Catch My Breath” coming this week and download it on iTunes starting October 16th. Let’s celebrate the voice and achievements of Kelly Clarkson by watching the video for her debut single, “A Moment Like This.”
