“Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” sometimes referred to as just “Stronger” and originally known as “What Doesn’t Kill You (Stronger),” is a song by American pop rock singer Kelly Clarkson. It was released as the second official single from Kelly’s fifth studio album, Stronger.

It was written by Jörgen Elofsson, Ali Tamposi, David Gamson, Greg Kurstin and produced by Kurstin.

The song is an uptempo pop rock song that uses vibrant beat pulsating with synth and electric guitar. According to Clarkson, the song was inspired by a Friedrich Nietzsche quote, translated to “That which does not kill us makes us stronger”, and its lyrics contain the theme of empowerment. The song is considered as an anthem for recovery after the end of a bad relationship.

Lyrics for Kelly Clarkson – Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)

You know the bed feels warmer
Sleeping here alone
You know I dream in color
And do the things I want

You think you’ve got the best of me
Think you’ve had enough the last laugh
Bet you think that everything good is gone
Think you left me broken down
Think that I’d come running back
Baby, you don’t know me, ’cause you’re dead wrong

[Chorus:]
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn’t mean I’m lonely when I’m alone
What doesn’t kill you makes you fighter
Footsteps even lighter
Doesn’t mean I’m over ’cause you’re gone

[Bridge:]
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, stronger
Just me, myself and I
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn’t mean I’m lonely when I’m alone
You heard that I was starting over with someone new
They told you I was moving on, over you
You didn’t think that I’d come back
I’d come back swinging
You tried to break me, but you see

[Chorus:]
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn’t mean I’m lonely when I’m alone
What doesn’t kill you makes you fighter
Footsteps even lighter
Doesn’t mean I’m over ’cause you’re gone

[Bridge:]
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, stronger
Just me, myself and I
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn’t mean I’m lonely when I’m alone

Thanks to you I got a new thing started
Thanks to you I’m not the broken-hearted
Thanks to you I’m finally thinking ’bout me
You know in the end the day you left is just my beginning
In the end

[Repeat Chorus]
[Repeat Bridge x2]

I’m not alone

Listen to: Kelly Clarkson – Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)

Watch: Kelly Clarkson – “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” Music Video