"Beautiful Disaster" is a song recorded by American recording artist

Kelly Clarkson Kelly Brianne (born Kelly Brianne Clarkson, April 24, 1982), known professionally as Kelly Clarkson, is an American singer, songwriter, and television personality. Rising to fame after winning the American Idol season 1, first season of ''Ameri ...

on her debut studio album '' Thankful'' (2003).

Matthew Wilder Matthew Wilder ( Weiner; January 24, 1953) is an American musician, singer, songwriter and record producer. He is best known for his 1983 hit single " Break My Stride", which hit No. 2 on the '' Cashbox'' chart and No. 5 on the ''Billboard'' Ho ...

produced the track, and wrote it along with Rebekah Jordan. "Beautiful Disaster" reflects a woman's prayer about a man whom she loves despite his iniquities. A live piano version of the song was included as the twelfth track on Clarkson's second studio album '' Breakaway'' (2004). "Beautiful Disaster" garnered positive reviews from

music critics Music journalism (or music criticism) is media criticism and reporting about music topics, including popular music, classical music, and traditional music. Journalists began writing about music in the eighteenth century, providing commentary on ...

, who complimented the song's musical structure and composition. Eight years after its release, the track entered the Official UK Singles Chart at number 124. Clarkson performed the song on the third season finale of ''

American Idol ''American Idol'' is an American Music competition, singing competition television series created by Simon Fuller, produced by Fremantle (company), Fremantle North America and 19 Entertainment, and distributed by Fremantle North America. It a ...

'', and has included it in the

set list A set list, or setlist, is typically a handwritten or printed document created as an ordered list of songs, jokes, stories and other elements an artist intends to present during a specific performance. A setlist can be made of nearly any materi ...

s for her concert tours.

Background

produced "Beautiful Disaster", and wrote it along with Rebekah Jordan. Jordan and Wilder had pitched the song to Clarkson during the recording sessions for her debut album '' Thankful'' (2003). Jordan explained that she had written the track about her strained relationship with her boyfriend who was suffering from

substance dependence Substance dependence, also known as drug dependence, is a biopsychological situation whereby an individual's functionality is dependent on the necessitated re-consumption of a psychoactive substance because of an adaptive state that has develop ...

. During a 2004 performance, Clarkson expressed her disappointment with the original song. She felt that Wilder's overproduction took away from the song's original message, and explained that RCA executives had chosen to keep it.

Reception

"Beautiful Disaster" received generally positive reviews from

. A writer from the

Associated Press The Associated Press (AP) is an American not-for-profit organization, not-for-profit news agency headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1846, it operates as a cooperative, unincorporated association, and produces news reports that are dist ...

noted that the song sounded like "good outtakes from a

Debbie Gibson Deborah Ann Gibson (born August 31, 1970) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She released her debut album ''Out of the Blue (Debbie Gibson album), Out of the Blue'' (1987) at age 16, writing and largely producing the material. The a ...

album circa 1987". Dave Ferman of ''

Fort Worth Star-Telegram The ''Fort Worth Star-Telegram'' is an American daily newspaper serving Fort Worth and Tarrant County, the western half of the North Texas area known as the Metroplex. It is owned by The McClatchy Company. History In May 1905, Amon G. Car ...

'' described the song as "Chugging, '80s-influenced rock, in which Kelly wonders if it's a good idea to go after that handsome bad boy. And the answer is . . . maybe." Eric Danton of ''

The Buffalo News ''The Buffalo News'' is the daily newspaper of the Buffalo–Niagara Falls metropolitan area, located in downtown Buffalo, New York. It was for decades the only paper fully owned by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway. On January 29, 2020, th ...

'' pointed to "Beautiful Disaster" as "one of the (''Thankful'') disc's best tunes" Eight years after its release, the track entered the Official UK Singles Chart at number 124.

Live performances

Clarkson performed a piano ballad version of "Beautiful Disaster" on the Independent Tour and in televised performances. Her record label criticized her decision as they felt the song did not "sound 'big' enough", in which she insisted that "the production was distracting from the lyrics". She sang it on the third season finale of ''

'' on May 26, 2004, as well as ''The View'' and ''

The Early Show ''The Early Show'' is an American morning television show that aired on CBS from November 1, 1999, to January 7, 2012, replacing the original incarnation of '' CBS This Morning'', and the ninth attempt at a morning news-talk program by the n ...

'' on August 16, 2004. The live version of the song garnered a better response, leading to Clarkson including it as the closing track for her second studio album '' Breakaway'' (2004).

Personnel

*Kelly Clarkson: Main Vocal *Rebekah Jordan: Vocal Backing *Matthew Wilder: Guitars, Keyboards and Piano, Programming *James Hurrah: Guitars *

Mike Elizondo Michael A. Elizondo Jr. (born October 22, 1972) is an American producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. A protégé of Dr. Dre, Elizondo has worked with 50 Cent, Eminem, Linkin Park, Carrie Underwood, Fiona Apple, Mastodon, Ry Cooder ...

: Bass *Abe Laboriel Jr.: Drums, Percussion

Production

*Arranged and Produced by Matthew Wilder *Engineer: Csaba Petocz; Second Engineer: Quentin Dunn *Mixed by Mike Shipley

Charts

References

{{authority control 2003 songs 2004 songs Kelly Clarkson songs RCA Records singles Songs written by Matthew Wilder