Meaning of Life (album)

2017 studio album by Kelly Clarkson

For other similarly titled albums, see Meaning of Life (disambiguation).

Meaning of Life

Studio album by

Kelly Clarkson

Released| October 27, 2017 (2017-10-27)
Recorded| 2017
Studio|

* A Studios
* Capitol Studios
* Echo Studio
* Glenwood Place Studios
* Mac and Milo's Den
* Mick Schultz Studios
* MilkBoy the Studio
* Ocean Way Studios
* The Ribcage
* Historic RCA Studio A
* St. Izzy's of the East
* Starstruck Studios
* Vox Recording

Genre|

* Pop
* soul
* R&B

Length| 44:08
Label| Atlantic
Producer|

* Jason Halbert
* Jussifer
* Greg Kurstin
* Fade Majah
* The Monarch
* Nova Wav
* Michael Pollack
* Nick Ruth
* Mick Schultz
* Jesse Shatkin

Kelly Clarkson chronology
| Piece by Piece Remixed
(2016)  | Meaning of Life
(2017)  | When Christmas Comes Around...
(2021)

|
|

Singles from  Meaning of Life

1. "Love So Soft"
Released: September 7, 2017
2. "I Don't Think About You"
Released: February 9, 2018
3. "Heat"
Released: July 27, 2018

Meaning of Life is the eighth studio album by American pop singer Kelly Clarkson. It was released on October 27, 2017, by Atlantic Records. Executive produced by Clarkson and Craig Kallman, the album is her debut release for the label after completing her recording contract and leaving previous label, RCA Records, which she had signed after winning the first season of American Idol. Weary of the structure of the previous record deal where she was strictly limited to releasing pop music, Clarkson wanted to pursue a different genre—soul and R&B music, which she had previously wanted to make and had only finally found the opportunity to do so after being signed by Kallman to the label.

Meaning of Life is Clarkson's second foray into soul and R&B music, after her debut single "Miss Independent", departing from the predominant pop and pop rock sound established from her previous studio releases and returning to her multi-genre performances on American Idol. Inspired by the music of the 1990s and prominent singers Aretha Franklin, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, En Vogue and Bonnie Raitt, Clarkson wanted the album to evoke a music similar to the early works of those artists—with the overall goal of emoting a "soulful" spirit. To achieve this, Clarkson commissioned several collaborators—from previous associates Jesse Shatkin, Greg Kurstin, Mozella and Jason Halbert, to new project partners The Monarch, Mick Schultz, Harlœ and James Morrison. The album's tracks share a cohesive theme of interpersonal connections in life, centered on the subjects of love and living the moment.

Meaning of Life received a generally positive response from music critics, who commended Clarkson's newfound confidence and the cohesiveness of the album. Commercially, the record became her eighth consecutive studio album to debut in the top three of the Billboard 200 chart. Three singles were released to promote the album: "Love So Soft", "I Don't Think About You", and "Heat", the first and last of which topped the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart. Meaning of Life received two Grammy Award nominations for Best Pop Vocal Album and Best Pop Solo Performance for "Love So Soft" at the 60th and 61st ceremony. Its supporting concert tour of the same name visited various arenas throughout the United States between January and March 2019.

## Background

[edit]

After releasing her seventh studio album, Piece by Piece (2015), along with its companion remix album in 2016, Kelly Clarkson had completed the terms of her recording contract with RCA Records and 19 Recordings which she had signed as a prize after winning the inaugural season of American Idol in 2002.[1][2][3] As opposed to the previous contract structure where 19 held the phonographic rights to the master recordings,[A] RCA executives Peter Edge and Tom Corson revealed their intentions to sign Clarkson directly to the label without 19's involvement. Their renewal offer would include a three-album deal with a US$1 million advance per album,[1] in contrast to the six-album limit[B] from the previous contract with a US$500,000 incentive per record.[8] Corson also admitted that her relationship with Sony Music executive Clive Davis might prove to be a nuance to the offer.[2]

Despite remarking that her relationship with Edge and Corson on the label had proved to be successful,[9] Clarkson had second thoughts about renewing the contract, which she recalled as an "arranged marriage".[10] As a result, her management met with Warner Music Nashville executive John Esposito, who brokered a meeting with Atlantic Records executives Craig Kallman and Julie Greenwald, who in turn offered her a long-term worldwide deal with a larger creative freedom.[11][12] On June 24, 2016, Warner Music Group announced that Clarkson had signed a long-term worldwide recording contract with Atlantic and would immediately work on a soul and R&B album set to be released the following year.[10] The move to Atlantic also reunited her with Pete Ganbarg, who had previously did A&R work for her fourth studio album All I Ever Wanted (2009). Later that year, Kallman and Ganbarg, who was producing A&R work on a mixtape inspired by the Broadway musical Hamilton, invited Clarkson to record the musical number "It's Quiet Uptown" for the mixtape, making it her debut appearance on an Atlantic record.[13]

## Recording and production

[edit]

Craig Kallman, Chairman and CEO of Atlantic Records, personally handled the A&R work on the album and also served as its executive producer,[14] making him the first CEO to executive produce a Kelly Clarkson album since Clive Davis.[C]

Three of Clarkson's producers from Piece by Piece were confirmed to return for Meaning of Life: Greg Kurstin, Jason Halbert, and Jesse Shatkin, whereas first-time collaborators include The Monarch, Nick Ruth, and Mick Schultz.[17] Deviating from the predominant pop rock sound of her previous releases, Clarkson wanted to approach a different genre—soul and R&B music.[18] She revealed that she had previously wanted to record this type of songs but had never found an opportunity to do so, but has found out that Kallman was "dying to make this record" with her and has counted on his full support.[18] She said the new material was reminiscent of the songs she had performed during her tenure on American Idol, and remarked that the album was a "new and fresh thing" for her and made her feel like a "brand new artist again".[18] Recording sessions began after Clarkson's pregnancy in 2016 and continued until 2017.[18]

To avoid making material similar to that of Stronger (2011), Clarkson met with various songwriters and showcased several soulful tracks to them to demonstrate the album's direction.[19][20] She remarked that her meeting with various writing camps, discussing what kind of songs she wanted from them and rejecting songs that didn't fit the direction of the album was a "different process" for her.[19][20] Clarkson said that she "wrote a bit", finding inspiration for a song's lyrics in the novel Big Little Lies,[18] but her family life had hindered opportunities for her to contribute more to the writing.[20] Several songwriters such as Ali Tamposi, Mozella, Harlœ, Sebastian Kole, Diztortion, Warren "Oak" Felder have all confirmed to have submitted material to Clarkson in Nashville.[21]

Clarkson and Kallman ultimately executive produced the entire album, with the latter handling the A&R himself.[14] It marked the first time in ten years Clarkson was credited as an executive producer.[D] She described him as "instrumental" in steering the record, but also allowed her to explore the soulful side of her voice that she once displayed on American Idol and in live concerts.[14] She remarked that he helped her understand what an executive producer credit on an album really meant, saying that he would often push the producers who are used to working with other executives in making radio-friendly hits, but that it sometimes tears the spirit and soul out of it.[14] Both invited several performers to play on the album—Kallman personally invited the soul band Earth, Wind & Fire to perform at the recording sessions for the album's two tracks,[11] while Clarkson requested her touring backup singers—Jessi Collins, Nicole Hurst, and Bridget Sarai, to be given a more prominent feature by accompanying her lead vocals, deviating from the usual practice of recording her own background vocals in her previous albums.[11][23]

## Composition

[edit]

### Theme and influences

[edit]

The logo of Meaning of Life — Clarkson wanted the album's logo to be illustrated as a circle to emphasize on life's connection and avoided anything to be displayed at its center to indicate no one in life is being directly favored.[24][25]

> "I think life is about loving yourself enough so that you can love others. We need to connect, we need to have conversations. Like, why not ask someone 'Hey, I didn't grow up like you did, let's talk about it!' Sharing those moments is what makes us human. If you're always limiting yourself to your own front porch, you'll never truly get to see the rest of the world around you."

—Clarkson on connection being the central theme of the album.[26]

Meaning of Life has a cohesive theme—connection.[26] Lyrical contents of each of the album's tracks center on "love and living, rooted in the past and living in the moment".[27] When asked about what is the "meaning of life" to her, Clarkson remarked that "life is about connection."[26] Clarkson also illustrated the album's logo as a circle to emphasize on life's connection and to indicate that no one is in the middle of it.[24] She added, "This album is not great because of Kelly Clarkson," Kelly admits. "It's great because of all the musicians, all of the singers that are highlighted, all of the engineers, the producers. There are a lot of people that make up an album, and we really wanted to highlight those people."[25] Musically, Clarkson was mainly inspired by the music of the 1990s, along with the early works of vocalists Aretha Franklin, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, En Vogue and Bonnie Raitt, whose soulful catalogs have inspired a young Clarkson to sing in high school and later embark on a music career.[28] Franklin became the starting point for inspiration, with Clarkson asking, "What if Aretha was born now and made a record today?" as a guiding principle.[11] In turn, Kallman made sure that the record wouldn't sound old, saying that "it's just not nostalgic and a retro experience" but described it as a "modern experience infused with the best of those records we call standards".[11] Critics described Meaning of Life as a mixture of soulful R&B pop;[29] While some designated it as a "soulful pop"/"pop-soul" album,[30][31][32] others illustrated it as a soul and R&B record.[27][33] Raissa Bruner of Time saw its tracks as "soulful anthems mixed with rollicking empowerment pop",[34] while Josh Bell of the Washington Blade characterized it as "more soulful and R&B-influenced than Clarkson's prior work, although it's still very much a pop album."[35]

Meaning of Life is promulgated by Atlantic as the album she was destined to make with the label, a "sensual" pop record and her first documented soul and R&B album;[10][36] while Clarkson personally described it as the album she had wanted to make since junior high but also a "grown-ass woman's record",[28][37] explaining that the lyrical content found on the album may not be suitable for her younger self to make.[11] She remarked, "This is a record you make when you've lived (sic)."[37] Unlike her previous releases where she had co-written much of the material, she felt compelled to only pen a few, saying that taking an active role in writing the songs would have taken an expense on her family life.[37] Clarkson then commissioned material that showcases her current state of mind—such as dealing with the rewards and complications that come with connecting with someone emotionally, mentally, physically in a marriage; as well as a mature woman feeling completely comfortable in her own skin after years of withering sexist criticism about her appearance.[11] To discuss these concepts, she invited several collaborators, including Harlœ, whose conversations with Clarkson were used to create some of the album's lyrical content.[37]

### Song analysis

[edit]

"Meaning of Life"

Co-penned by English singer James Morrison for the Piece by Piece album, the titular track 'Meaning of Life" served as a guiding point for other collaborators in creating the soulful sound of the album.[38]

* * *

Problems playing this file? See media help.

The album opens with "A Minute (Intro)" as the introductory track.[31] Written and produced by The Monarch with writing input from Jim McCormick and Katie Pearlman, the song is a minute-long anthem for self-care, and was primarily made for Clarkson, whose hectic family and work life have made it hard for her to take a break for a minute for herself.[31] Shatkin, Mozella and Priscilla Renea co-wrote and co-produced the second track "Love So Soft", which is dubbed as a tribute to classic R&B while still sounding contemporary.[39] The Monarch and Mick Schultz produced the third song "Heat", and co-wrote it with Harlœ and Michael Pollack.[40] Clarkson described the song as discussing on giving 100% commitment to one another and as reminiscent of her relationship with her husband.[40] The fourth song and the titular track, "Meaning of Life", was written by British singer James Morrison with Ilsey Juber and Shatkin, who handled its production.[38] Morrison and Shatkin originally presented the song to Clarkson for Piece by Piece, but she felt its theme was unsuitable for the album at the time.[38] She later took a hold on the song and used it as a base point for the other producers in making material for the follow-up album.[38] The fifth, "Move You", was written by Nick Ruth, Amy Kuney, and Molly Kate Kestner. Produced by Ruth, Kuney built the song's framework to bridge the gap between religious and secular music.[41] Clarkson co-wrote the sixth track "Whole Lotta Woman" with Jussifer, Novawav duo Denisia Andrews & Brittany Coney, Fade Majah, and Shatkin.[11] Produced by the latter four, the song is an empowerment anthem for women using metaphors from American Southern culture, primarily with Texan women, whom Clarkson is considered one of.[40] Select members of Earth, Wind & Fire, led by Verdine White, prominently played throughout the number.[40]

Schultz and Harlœ co-wrote and produced the seventh track "Medicine" as a tribute to the '90s with inspiration from Carey's song "Emotions" (1991).[40] The follow-up track "Cruel" was written by The Monarch, Harlœ and Pat Linehan, and was produced by Jason Halbert, which sings of commanding respect from a partner.[42] The Monarch and Shatkin produced the ninth song "Didn't I", which was written by the Davidsons, Audra Mae, and Pearlman.[42] In the song, she bellows at a man for forsaking her after committing herself to him.[42] Based on her experience in witnessing failed relationships of some of her loved ones and asking about a retrospective about it, Clarkson co-wrote the succeeding track "Would You Call that Love" with Greg Kurstin, who produced it.[40] The eleventh song "I Don't Think About You" was written by Harlœ, Michael Pollack, and The Monarch, who handled its production.[40] Requested by Clarkson to write a ballad that showcases her vocals, Harlœ based the song from her past relationship.[40] Ruth, Kuney, and Kestner wrote the twelfth track "Slow Dance", a sultry number which is about a woman demanding a man to take things slowly, instead of falling victim to his advances.[42] Clarkson, Shatkin, and Mozella co-wrote both the album's final two tracks—the penultimate, "Don't You Pretend", is about demanding a man to be honest about his true feelings;[42] and the concluding number "Go High", an anthem which was inspired by former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama's speech at the 2016 Democratic National Convention.[31][40]

## Release and promotion

[edit]

See also: Meaning of Life Tour

Clarkson performing at the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto

Meaning of Life was released by Atlantic and its parent label Warner Music Group on October 27, 2017.[17] Originally scheduled to be released in June 2017, the release date was pushed back to the year's fall season.[43] Chris Ruff, Atlantic's senior marketing manager, remarked that the album's roll-out strategy would first be driven towards selling physical copies, which would be followed by a promotional campaign with streaming platforms in the following year.[44] The album's lead single "Love So Soft" was released digitally alongside "Move You" on September 7, 2017.[45][46] "Love So Soft" peaked within the top fifty of the Billboard Hot 100 chart and topped the Billboard Dance Club Songs ranking.[47][48] A week before the album's release, its titular song "Meaning of Life" was issued as a promotional single on October 19, 2017.[38] "I Don't Think About You" was released as the follow-up single on February 9, 2018, followed by "Heat" as the third single on July 27, 2018.[49][50] Clarkson announced plans to do a worldwide tour to support the album following the conclusion of the fourteenth season of The Voice, where she was then currently participating as a coach.[51] On September 14, 2018, she announced the Meaning of Life Tour, which visited selected U.S. cities from January to March 2019.[52]

To promote the album, Clarkson embarked on several intimate concerts in North America. On September 6, 2017, Kallman, Greenwald and Warner Music CEO of Recorded Music Max Lousada jointly presented Clarkson's performance of the album's six selections at the Rainbow Room in New York City.[53] She also filmed a "Nashville Sessions" series at the War Memorial Auditorium in Nashville, with selected performances being eventually released online.[54] On September 28, 2017, she taped an iHeartRadio Secret Session in Toronto, which was broadcast as a radio special the following month.[55] On its release date, Clarkson performed several songs from the album at an album release party hosted by iHeartRadio in Los Angeles.[56] The event was also aired live in simulcast on various iHeartRadio radio stations.[56] In November 2017, she performed on two album release events in New York City—one was hosted by astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson at YouTube Space and the other at the Gramercy Theatre hosted and tape-broadcast by Sirius XM.[57][58] American chain store Cracker Barrel also sponsored a "Rocking and Stockings" content series to promote the album during the 2017 holiday season, featuring selected performances by Clarkson.[36]

Clarkson performed numerous selections from Meaning of Life in various televised events. She premiered "Love So Soft" on The Today Show a day after its release date and has performed it on programs such as America's Got Talent, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Graham Norton Show, The Late Late Show with James Corden, The Voice of Germany, the 2017 We Day, the 2017 Invictus Games, and the 2017 American Music Awards.[59] She also performed the titular track on Strictly Come Dancing;[44] "I Don't Think About You" on The Ellen DeGeneres Show;[60] "Move You", "I Don't Think About You", and "Didn't I" on The Today Show;[61][62] "Heat" on The Today Show and the Opening Ceremony of the 2018 US Open;[63][64] "Whole Lotta Woman" on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Late Late Show with James Corden (during Carpool Karaoke), and the 2018 Billboard Music Awards;[65] "I Don't Think About You" and "Didn't I" on Late Night with Seth Meyers;[66][67] and, "Medicine" and "I Don't Think About You" on The Voice.[68][69]

## Critical reception

[edit]

Professional ratingsAggregate scores

Source| Rating
AnyDecentMusic?| 6.7/10[70]
Metacritic| 73/100[71]
Review scores
Source| Rating
AllMusic| [27]
Daily Express| [30]
Entertainment Weekly| B+[72]
The Guardian| [73]
Idolator| [42]
Newsday| [32]
The Observer| [74]
Renowned for Sound| [75]
Slant Magazine| [76]
The Times| [77]

Meaning of Life received a generally positive response from music critics. Consensus from reviews compiled by Gold Derby reveal that the "intimate, R&B-drenched album is full of confidence," describing its emphasis on soul as "euphorically liberated".[78] On the review aggregator site Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 73, based on eight reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[71] AllMusic's senior editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine gave the album a four-star rating, calling it one of her most satisfying albums and commending Clarkson for sounding "assured here in a way that differs from her earliest records".[27] Leah Greenblatt of Entertainment Weekly gave it a "B+" rating. Deeming the album as feeling cohesive and self-assured, she considered that it doesn't seem especially interested in reaching the heights of Clarkson's early hit records but "swings low and sweet — a refreshingly real dispatch from an artist expressing exactly what she feels in this moment."[72] Writing for Time, Bruner wrote that the album "finds her as fans prefer: a confident artist with a sense of humor and sass to spare."[34] Shaun Kitchener of the Daily Express rated the album five stars, writing that Clarkson was "in her absolute element" on it, and the album was a "peppier, more playful alternative to Adele's 25".[30]

Glenn Gamboa of Newsday gave Meaning of Life a four-star rating. Praising it as the best album of Clarkson's career, he wrote that it presented a "chance to declare her ambitions and deliver on them" for her "most cohesive album yet".[32] The Boston Globe correspondent Isaac Feldberg commented that Clarkson "has perhaps never sounded as confident or comfortable as she does" on the album, and that she "channels her delight at [her] newfound freedom into songs that, while signaling a new stage in her career, appear to flow directly from both her heart and soul."[79] Mike Nied of Idolator shared a similar sentiment, saying that "returning to her roots had truly opened a wealth of opportunities" for Clarkson.[42] Craig Jenkins of Vulture described the album as "a simmering pot of warm grooves and powerful vocals, a career pivot to the music that Clarkson ought to have been allowed to make right out of the gate."[80] Reviewing for The Observer, Michael Cragg rated the album four stars, comparing its sound to Meghan Trainor and Mariah Carey and crediting its "big, syrupy" ballads for "accentuating Clarkson's undeniably powerful voice, creating a comfort zone that feels genuine."[74]

Some of the critics were also ambivalent on the album: The Guardian's Hannah Davis gave the record a three-star rating, writing that the album had "lots of filler" and notably evoked the records of Christina Aguilera and Trainor, but its "strong, '90s diva-ish mood suits Clarkson's belting vocal style, as she ushers in a more soulful phase with class."[73] Reviewing the album for Spin, Katherine St. Asaph noted that much of it feels "dated, studiously attempting to recreate an era Clarkson's long since transcended", and despite praising her vocal showcase, she was puzzled that after "to hear an album that sounds so much like contractual winner's filler" almost 15 years after winning the competition.[3]

### Accolades and honors

[edit]

Meaning of Life has received nominations for Best Pop Vocal Album at the 61st Grammy Awards and Best Pop Solo Performance for "Love So Soft" at the 60th ceremony.[81][82] Both nominations earned Clarkson the distinction of being the most-nominated artist in both categories' history, sharing the Best Pop Vocal Album record with Justin Timberlake.[81][82] In the midst of promoting the album, Clarkson was also honored at various award-giving programs, including the Powerhouse Award at the 2017 Billboard Women in Music event,[83] Icon Award at the 2018 Radio Disney Music Awards,[84] and a Hall of Fame induction at the 2017 Nickelodeon HALO Awards.[85]

### Year-end lists

[edit]

Meaning of Life was included on several publications' year-end lists:

* AllMusic, Favorite Pop Albums of 2017[86]
* AXS, 10 Best Pop Albums of 2017[87]
* BBC, Best Albums of 2017[88]
* Billboard, 50 Best Albums of 2017: Critics' Picks[89]
* Entertainment Weekly, 25 Best Albums of 2017[90]

* Idolator, Best Pop Albums & EPs of 2017[91]
* Newsday, Best Albums of 2017[92]
* Rolling Stone, 20 Best Pop Albums of 2017[93]
* Time, Best Albums of 2017 (commendation)[94]
* Us Weekly, Best Albums of 2017[95]

|

## Commercial performance

[edit]

Meaning of Life debuted on the Billboard 200 chart in the United States at number two with 79,000 album-equivalent units, which account 68,000 copies in traditional album sales.[96][97] The album's chart debut on the Billboard 200 earned Clarkson her eighth consecutive top three studio album as well her third record to debut at the second spot.[98] Meaning of Life also debuted at the top of the Billboard Digital Albums chart and became her first entry on the Billboard Vinyl Albums chart.[99][100] Overseas, the album entered the top ten of the Billboard Canadian Albums chart and the Australian ARIA Albums Chart.[101][102] It also attained a top twenty debut on the Official UK Albums Chart, the Irish IRMA Artist Albums Chart, and the Swiss Hitparade chart;[103][104][105] and a top forty entry on the national charts of Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands.[106][107][108] The album received a RIAA Gold certification in 2021, selling 500,000 equivalent units in the US.[109]

## Track listing

[edit]

Meaning of Life – Standard edition[110]No.| Title| Writer(s)| Producer(s)| Length

|
|
|
|

1.| "A Minute (Intro)"|

* Andre Davidson
* Sean Davidson
* Jim McCormick
* Katie Pearlman

| The Monarch| 1:08
2.| "Love So Soft"|

* Jesse Shatkin
* Priscilla Renea
* Maureen "Mozella" McDonald

* Shatkin
* Mozella[a]
* Renea[a]

| 2:52
3.| "Heat"|

* A. Davidson
* S. Davidson
* Jessica Ashley Karpov
* Michael Pollack
* Mick Schultz

* The Monarch
* Schultz
* Shatkin [a]
* Karpov[a]

| 3:10
4.| "Meaning of Life"|

* Shatkin
* Ilsey Juber
* James Morrison Catchpole

| Shatkin| 3:51
5.| "Move You"|

* Nick Ruth
* Amy Kuney
* Molly Kate Kestner

| Ruth| 3:22
6.| "Whole Lotta Woman"|

* Kelly Clarkson
* Jussi Karvinen
* Denisia "Blu June" Andrews
* Brittany "Chi" Coney
* Evon Barnes Jr.
* Shatkin

* Shatkin
* Jussifer
* Nova Wav
* Fade Majah

| 2:53
7.| "Medicine"|

* Schultz
* Karpov

* Schultz
* Karpov[a]

| 3:09
8.| "Cruel"|

* A. Davidson
* S. Davidson
* Karpov
* Pat Linehan

| Jason Halbert| 3:05
9.| "Didn't I"|

* A. Davidson
* S. Davidson
* Audra Mae
* Pearlman

* The Monarch
* Shatkin

| 3:38
10.| "Would You Call That Love"|

* Clarkson
* Greg Kurstin

| Kurstin| 2:58
11.| "I Don't Think About You"|

* A. Davidson
* S. Davidson
* Pollack
* Karpov

* The Monarch
* Pollack[b]

| 3:44
12.| "Slow Dance"|

* Ruth
* Kuney
* Kestner

| Ruth| 3:40
13.| "Don't You Pretend"|

* Clarkson
* Shatkin
* McDonald

| Shatkin| 3:13
14.| "Go High"|

* Clarkson
* Shatkin
* McDonald

| Shatkin| 3:25
Total length:| 44:08

Meaning of Life – Japanese edition[110]No.| Title| Remix producer| Length

|
|
|

15.| "Love So Soft" (Cash Cash Remix)| Cash Cash| 4:16
16.| "Love So Soft" (Ryan Riback Remix)| Ryan Riback| 3:07
Total length:| 51:31

Notes

* ^[a] signifies a vocal producer
* ^[b] signifies an additional producer

## Personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from the album's liner notes.[111]

Recorded, engineered, mixed and mastered at

* Burbank, California (Glenwood Place Studios)
* Hollywood, California (Capitol Studios)
* Los Angeles, California (A Studios, Echo Studio, The Ribcage, Vox Recording)
* Nashville, Tennessee (Historic RCA Studio A, Ocean Way Studios, Starstruck Studios, St. Izzy's of the East)
* New York City, New York (Sterling Sound)
* Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (MilkBoy the Studio)
* Tarzana, California (Mick Schultz Studios)
* Venice Beach, California (Mac and Milo's Den)
* Virginia Beach, Virginia (MixStar Studios)

Personnel

* Denisia "Blu June" Andrews (Novawav) – producer (track 6)
* Paul Bailey – engineer (tracks 5, 12)
* David Barnett – viola (tracks 4–5, 13–14)
* Brandon Blackstock – manager
* Paul Buckmaster – string arrangement (track 11)
* Julian Burg – engineer (track 10)
* BTW Productions – music preparation (track 8)
* Chris Cerullo – assistant engineer (tracks 2, 4–6, 9, 13)
* Jeff Chestek – engineer (tracks 4–5, 13–14)
* Joe Cleveland – keyboards (track 1)
* Jessi Collins – background vocals (tracks 4–5, 8, 10, 12–13)
* Brittany "Chi" Coney (Novawav) – producer (track 6)
* Gared Crawford – violin (tracks 4–5, 13–14)
* Andre & Sean Davidson (The Monarch) – bass, drum programming, additional programming, keyboards, producer, vocal producer (tracks 1, 3, 8–9, 11)
* John DeNosky – additional vocal engineer (track 8)
* Samuel Dent – additional engineering (tracks 2, 4–6, 9, 13)
* Srdjan Dimitrijevic – guitar (track 6)
* Joshua Ditty – assistant engineer (track 13)
* Ashley Donovan – makeup
* Earth, Wind & Fire Horn Section – horns: (tracks 2, 6)
* Gary Bias – tenor saxophone
* Bobby Burns – trumpet
* Raymond Lee Brown – horn orchestrator, leader, music prep
* Chuck Findley – trumpet
* Reggie Young – trombone
* Lester Estelle – drums (track 8)
* Aben Eubanks – guitar (track 8)
* Peter Filochowski – violin (tracks 4–5, 13–14)
* Iain Findlay – assistant engineer (track 2, 13), engineer (track 3)
* Glenn Fischbach – cello (tracks 4–5, 13–14)
* Henry Flory – violin (tracks 4–5, 13–14)
* Andreas Geck – bass (track 8)
* Chris Gehringer – mastering
* Serban Ghenea – mixer
* Greg Gigen's Dad Burke (Gregory Burke) – art direction
* Jeff "Gitty" Gitelman – guitar solo (track 12)
* Larry Gold – conductor, string arrangement (tracks 4–5, 13–14)
* Jason Halbert – Hammond organ (track 8), keyboards (track 8), piano (track 12), piano (tracks 8, 12), engineer, producer, programming (track 8)
* John Hanes – mixing engineer
* Mark Hill – bass (track 5)
* Nicole Hurst – background vocals (tracks 2–13)
* Michael Harris – engineer (tracks 4–6, 9, 13)
* Bob Horn – vocal producer (tracks 1, 12)
* Gena Johnson – assistant engineer (track 12)
* Jussi Karvinen (Jussifer) – producer (track 6)
* Craig Kallman – A&R, executive producer
* Sean Kantrowitz – guitar (tracks 2, 14)
* Jessica Karpov (Harlœ) – background vocals (tracks 3, 7), vocal producer (tracks 3, 7)
* Jonathan Kim – viola (tracks 4–5, 13–14)
* Emma Kummrow – violin (tracks 2, 14)
* Greg Kurstin – drums, baritone guitar, bass synth, guitar, keyboards, mbira, piano, engineer, producer (track 10)
* Candice Lambert – styling
* Trevor Laurence Jr. – drums (tracks 1, 12)
* Jennie Lorenzo – cello (tracks 4–5, 13–14)
* Evon Barnes Jr. (Fade Majah) – producer (track 6)
* Luigi Mazzocchi – violin (tracks 4–5, 13–14)
* Maureen McDonald (Mozella) – background vocals (tracks 2, 13), vocal producer (track 2)
* Christopher McHugh – drums (track 5)
* Joel Metzler – assistant engineer (tracks 4–5, 13–14)
* Justin Levy – background vocal arrangement (track 8)
* Alex Pasco – engineer (track 10)
* Will Quinnell – mastering
* Gabriel Noel – bass (track 2)
* Priscilla Renea – background vocals (track 2), vocal producer (track 2)
* Morris O'Connor – guitar (track 6)
* Orchestra members – strings (track 8):
* Jenny Bifano, Maria Conti, Janet Darnell, Conni Ellisor, Aliva Enstrom, Amy Helman, Anthony LaMarchina, Jung-Min Shin, Alan Umstead, Catherine Umstead, Mary Katherine VanOsdale, Bruce Wethey, Karen Winkelmann
* John Paris – drums (track 6)
* Charles Parker – violin (tracks 4–5, 13–14)
* Vincent Peters – photography
* Eric Peterson – guitar (tracks 3, 7)
* Robert Ramos – hair
* The Regiment Horns – horns, (tracks 2, 4–6, 9, 13), brass arrangement (track 5):
* Sean Erick – flugelhorn, trumpet
* Leon Silva – tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone
* Kevin Williams Jr. – trombone, tuba
* Shiela Richman – publicity
* Craig Rosen – A&R administrator
* Buddy Ross – organ (tracks 2, 4, 13), piano (tracks 4, 13)
* Nick Ruth – guitar, organ, programming, producer (tracks 5, 12)
* Bridget Sarai – background vocals (tracks 2–13)
* Brian Schultz – bass (tracks 3, 7)
* Mick Schultz – engineer, producer (tracks 3, 7)
* Jesse Shatkin – bass, concert bells, drums, drum programming, guitar, organ, piano, synthesizers, additional programming, engineer, producer, vocal producer (tracks 2–4, 6, 9, 13–14)
* Jordan Silva – engineer (track 1), assistant engineer (track 12)
* Eddie Spear – engineer (track 12)
* Nick Spezia – engineer (track 8)
* Robert "RAab" Stevenson – background vocal arrangement (track 8)
* Todd Tidwell – assistant engineer, engineer (tracks 2–6, 9, 13)
* Joann Tominaga – production coordinator (tracks 2, 4–6, 9, 13)
* Philip Townes – organ (track 12)
* Carolyn Tracey – project manager
* Joseph Trapanese – orchestrator, strings conductor (track 8)
* Alan Umstead – orchestra contractor (track 8)
* Nina Webb – marketing
* Carrie West – A&R coordinator
* Booker White – music preparation (track 8)
* Verdine White – bass (tracks 2, 6)
* Shane D. Wilson – engineer (track 8)

## Charts

[edit]

### Weekly charts

[edit]

| Chart (2017–2018)  | Peak
position

|

Australian Albums (ARIA)[112] | 6
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[113] | 27
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[114] | 42
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[115] | 115
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[116] | 4
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[117] | 35
French Albums (SNEP)[118] | 138
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[119] | 32
Irish Albums (IRMA)[120] | 18
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[121] | 223
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[122] | 21
Scottish Albums (OCC)[123] | 10
South Korean Albums (Circle)[124] | 67
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)[125] | 47
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[126] | 19
UK Albums (OCC)[127] | 11
US Billboard 200[128] | 2
US Top Tastemaker Albums (Billboard)[129] | 16

### Year-end charts

[edit]

| Chart (2018)  | Position

|

US Top Album Sales (Billboard)[130] | 89
US Top Current Albums (Billboard)[131] | 79

## Certifications

[edit]

Region  | Certification | Certified units/sales

|
|

United States (RIAA)[109] | Gold  | 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

## Release history

[edit]

Release formats for Meaning of Life Region  | Date  | Formats  | Label  | Catalog number  | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|

Various  | October 27, 2017  |

* CD
* digital download
* LP
* streaming

| Atlantic | 563941-2  | [110]
Japan  | WPCR-17920
Various  | May 4, 2018  | Limited edition LP  | 567235-2  | [132]

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ On the recording contract Clarkson signed in 2002, 19 Recordings reserves the phonographic rights to the master recordings of Clarkson's winning contract. While Simon Cowell's S Records (a unit of BMG trading as Ronagold Limited) secured the rights to appoint another record label within the BMG family to receive an exclusive license for the masters. For Clarkson's case, S (Ronagold) designated RCA Records as the licensee and the latter subsequently became her primary label for the duration of the deal.[4][5][6]
2. ^ Clarkson's Christmas album Wrapped in Red (2013) is not included in the 19 and RCA agreement pursuant to the six-studio album limit, as RCA retains sole phonographic rights to the album's masters and only considers it as a holiday album.[7]
3. ^ Clive Davis, then CEO of RCA Music Group, is the executive producer of Clarkson's first two studio albums Thankful (2003) and Breakaway (2004).[15][16]
4. ^ Clarkson was credited as an executive producer for her third album My December (2007).[22]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Farrell, David (March 8, 2016). "On the Charts this week". FYI Music News. Archived from the original on September 8, 2017. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
2. ^ a b Aswad, Jem (August 28, 2015). "RCA Chiefs Peter Edge and Tom Corson on Signing Zayn Malik and Enrique Iglesias — and Being Blissfully Unaware of Miley Cyrus' VMA Plans". Billboard. Billboard-The Hollywood Reporter Group. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
3. ^ a b St. Asaph, Katherine (November 8, 2017). "Review: Kelly Clarkson's Meaning of Life Is a Puzzling Return to the Start of Her Career". Spin. Eldridge Industries. Retrieved July 3, 2018.
4. ^ Clawson, Trevor (December 9, 2010). The Unauthorized Guide to Doing Business the Simon Cowell Way: 10 Secrets of the International Music Mogul. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 978-0-857-08128-5.
5. ^ 19 Recordings Limited v. Sony Music Entertainment (S.D.N.Y), Text.
6. ^ Commission File No. 000-17436 — CKX, INC., Washington, D.C.: U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, 2007, pp. 10–11, retrieved March 3, 2018
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15. ^ Thankful (booklet). Kelly Clarkson. RCA Records/19 Recordings/S Records. 2003. 07884-20083-5.`{{cite AV media notes}}`: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
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* Ali Tamposi: Kawashima, Dale (March 31, 2017). "Pop Songwriter Ali Tamposi Co-Writes The Hits "Let Me Love You" (DJ Snake & Justin Bieber) and "It Ain't Me" (Kygo & Selena Gomez)". Songwriter Universe. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
* Sebastian Kole: Owolabi, Helen (November 17, 2016). "How Sebastian Kole Went From Near Homelessness to Writing for Alessia Cara and Recording 'Soup'". Complex. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
* Harlœ: Brungardt, Leah (July 12, 2017). "An Interview With The Talented Singer-Songwriter Harlœ!". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on September 7, 2017. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
* Oak Felder: Mitchell, Gail (May 23, 2017). "Producer Oak Felder Talks Kelly Clarkson, Khalid and More: 'I Love That I Can Fly Under the Radar'". Billboard. Billboard-The Hollywood Reporter Group. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
22. ^ My December (booklet). Kelly Clarkson. RCA Records/19 Recordings/S Records. 2007. 88697-32715-2.`{{cite AV media notes}}`: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
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32. ^ a b c Gamboa, Glenn (October 25, 2017). "'Meaning of Life' review: Kelly Clarkson's soulful stunner". Newsday. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
33. ^ Bell, Josh (October 26, 2017). "Kelly Clarkson shakes up her approach on 'Meaning of Life'". Las Vegas Weekly. Greenspun Media Group. Retrieved July 3, 2018.
34. ^ a b Bruner, Raisa (October 26, 2017). "Kelly Clarkson Delivers Soul and Sass to 'Meaning of Life'". Time. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
35. ^ Gerard, Chris (November 2, 2017). "New Kelly Clarkson album is welcome change". Washington Blade. Brown, Naff, Pitts Omnimedia. Retrieved July 3, 2018.
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41. ^ Boron, Allison (November 30, 2017). "Kobalt Songwriter Amy Kuney on Writing with Her Own 'American Idol'". Kobalt Music Group. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
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49. ^ Hyer, Joe (February 12, 2018). "Kelly Clarkson Reveals "I Don't Think About You" Is The Second Single from 'Meaning of Life'". WNVZ. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
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51. ^ Roffman, Marisa (February 8, 2018). "Kelly Clarkson Says She's Definitely Going to Win 'The Voice' Season 14". TV Insider. NTVB Media. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
52. ^ Kreps, Daniel (September 14, 2018). "Kelly Clarkson Maps Out 2019 'Meaning of Life' Tour". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
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58. ^ "WATCH: Kelly Clarkson shares the Meaning of Life with SiriusXM... Twice!". Sirius XM Holdings. November 15, 2017. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
59. ^ Citations concerning televised performances of "Love So Soft" at:
* The Today Show: Kaufman, Gil (September 7, 2017). "Kelly Clarkson Announces 'Meaning of Life' Album, Drops Glam 'Love So Soft' Video". Billboard. Billboard-The Hollywood Reporter Group. Retrieved March 5, 2018.
* America's Got Talent: Armstrong, Megan (September 21, 2017). "Kelly Clarkson Performs New Single, 'Love So Soft,' on 'America's Got Talent': Watch". Billboard. Billboard-The Hollywood Reporter Group. Retrieved March 5, 2018.
* The Ellen DeGeneres Show: "Kristen Bell, Mila Kunis & Kathryn Hahn; Kelly Clarkson". The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Season 15. Episode 39. NTVB Media. October 27, 2017. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
* The Graham Norton Show: Moloney, Aisling (November 10, 2017). "Who is on Graham Norton tonight? Hugh Grant and Kelly Clarkson among guests". Metro. DMG Media. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
* The Voice Of Germany: Hein, Franziska; Pavetic, B. (December 15, 2017). "The Voice Of Germany Finale 2017: BB Thomaz singt mit Kelly Clarkson". Rheinische Post (in German). Dusseldorf. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
* 10th Annual WE Day: "Host Kelly Clarkson along with Vanessa Hudgens and Shawn Hook, Lilly Singh, Former Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban-Ki Moon [sic] and More Unite at the 10th Annual WE Day Toronto to Celebrate Youth Taking Action on Local and Global Social Issues" (PDF) (pdf). Toronto: WE Charity. September 28, 2017. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
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* The Late Late Show with James Corden: Blistein, Jon (November 30, 2017). "'Carpool Karaoke': See Kelly Clarkson Belt Hits, Rekindle Romance". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
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61. ^ Kaufman (2017).
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102. ^ Manning, James (November 6, 2017). "ARIA Charts: Chris Brown, Kelly Clarkson & Hanson land top 10 albums". Mediaweek. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
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109. ^ a b "American album certifications – Kelly Clarkson – Meaning of Life". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
110. ^ a b c Various citations concerning the October 27, 2017, release of Meaning of Life:
* "Meaning of Life by Kelly Clarkson" (in French). France: Apple Music. October 27, 2017. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
* "Meaning of Life (Vinyl LP) von Kelly Clarkson" (in German). Germany: Amazon.de. October 27, 2017. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
* "Meaning of Life by Kelly Clarkson". United Kingdom: Apple Music. October 27, 2017. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
* "Meaning of Life by Kelly Clarkson". United States: Apple Music. October 27, 2017. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
* "Meaning of Life / ミーニング・オブ・ライフ" (in Japanese). Japan: Warner Music Group. October 27, 2017. Archived from the original on October 3, 2017. Retrieved October 2, 2017.
111. ^ Meaning of Life (booklet). Kelly Clarkson. Atlantic Records. 2017. 563941-2.`{{cite AV media notes}}`: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
112. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Kelly Clarkson – Meaning of Life". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
113. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Kelly Clarkson – Meaning of Life" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
114. ^ "Ultratop.be – Kelly Clarkson – Meaning of Life" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
115. ^ "Ultratop.be – Kelly Clarkson – Meaning of Life" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
116. ^ "Kelly Clarkson Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
117. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Kelly Clarkson – Meaning of Life" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
118. ^ "Lescharts.com – Kelly Clarkson – Meaning of Life". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
119. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Kelly Clarkson – Meaning of Life" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
120. ^ "GFK Chart-Track Albums: Week 44, 2017". Chart-Track. IRMA. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
121. ^ "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2017-11-06" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
122. ^ "Charts.nz – Kelly Clarkson – Meaning of Life". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
123. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
124. ^ "South Korea Circle Album Chart". On the page, select "2017.10.29~2015.11.04" to obtain the corresponding chart. Circle Chart Retrieved February 16, 2018.
125. ^ "Spanishcharts.com – Kelly Clarkson – Meaning of Life". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
126. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Kelly Clarkson – Meaning of Life". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
127. ^ "Kelly Clarkson | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
128. ^ "Kelly Clarkson Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
129. ^ "Kelly Clarkson Chart History (Top Tastemaker Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
130. ^ "Top Album Sales – 2018". Billboard. Billboard-The Hollywood Reporter Group. 9 December 2015. Retrieved February 8, 2019. (subscription required)
131. ^ "Top Current Albums – 2018". Billboard. Billboard-The Hollywood Reporter Group. 2 January 2013. Retrieved February 8, 2019. (subscription required)
132. ^ Various citations concerning the May 4, 2018, release of Meaning of Life:
* "Kelly Clarkson to Release Meaning of Life on Vinyl Just in Time for Mother's Day". Australia: Warner Music Group. April 11, 2018. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
* "Meaning of Life (Gold Vinyl)". Australia: Warner Music Group. Archived from the original on May 11, 2018. Retrieved April 14, 2018.

## Further reading

[edit]

* Kornhaber, Spencer (October 27, 2017). "Kelly Clarkson's Retro, Uplifting Dream of Unity". The Atlantic. Emerson Collective. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
* Berk, Nancy (November 30, 2017). "Kelly Clarkson Does't Sugarcoat Struggle and Says Meaning of Life Is Her Best Album to Date". Parade. AMG. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
* Marine, Brooke (January 28, 2018). "How Kelly Clarkson Finally Released the Album She's Wanted to Make Since Junior High". W. Condé Nast. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
* Ikeler, Jason (March 1, 2018). "Kelly Clarkson on How a Stranger's Advice Inspired Her Career in Music". Cosmopolitan. Hearst. Retrieved March 3, 2018.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website

* v
* t
* e

Kelly Clarkson

* Discography
* Videography
* Awards and nominations
* Songs recorded
* Songs written
* Concert tours
* Promotional tours

Studio albums|

* Thankful
* Breakaway
* My December
* All I Ever Wanted
* Stronger
* Wrapped in Red
* Piece by Piece
* Meaning of Life
* When Christmas Comes Around...
* Chemistry

Compilation albums|

* Greatest Hits – Chapter One

Remix albums|

* Piece by Piece Remixed

Extended plays|

* iTunes Session
* Kellyoke

Video releases|

* Miss Independent
* Behind Hazel Eyes

Concert tours|

* American Idols Live! Tour 2002
* Independent Tour
* The Breakaway Tour
* Hazel Eyes Tour
* Addicted Tour
* My December Tour
* 2 Worlds 2 Voices Tour
* All I Ever Wanted Tour
* Stronger Tour
* Summer Tour 2012
* 12th Annual Honda Civic Tour
* Piece by Piece Tour
* Meaning of Life Tour
* Chemistry: An Intimate Evening with Kelly Clarkson

Television|

* Kelly Clarkson's Cautionary Christmas Music Tale
* The Kelly Clarkson Show
* season 1
* 2
* 3
* 4
* 5
* 6

Bibliography|

* River Rose and the Magical Lullaby
* River Rose and the Magical Christmas

Related articles|

* Miracle on Broadway
* Norwegian Encore

Family|

* Isaiah Rose (ancestor)

* Category

Authority control databases |

* MusicBrainz release group

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