Kelly Clarkson has recently opened up about her decision to alter the lyrics of her poignant song “Piece by Piece,” a heartfelt tribute to her former husband Brandon Blackstock. The changes, which came after her divorce, have transformed the track into an anthem of self-empowerment, resonating deeply with fans and concertgoers alike.
During a performance at her Studio Sessions show in Las Vegas on July 11, 2025, Clarkson shared her creative journey with the audience. “I wrote it [when] I was feeling a type of way, and hoping more than [anything],” she explained. “And then, I changed it a couple of summers ago. I had to sing it. I was like, ‘I gotta sing it ‘cause people kept asking for it.’ But, it just didn’t feel right.”
Originally released in 2015, “Piece by Piece” was a love song that contrasted her relationship with Blackstock to her experiences with her own absentee father. The couple, who were married for seven years and share two children, faced a tumultuous divorce that Clarkson filed for in 2020. After settling their divorce, she felt compelled to revisit the song and its lyrics.
In her revised version, Clarkson swapped out the line “He collected me up” for “I collected me up,” among other subtle yet significant changes. “I was like, ‘I kinda like the way I’m going with it,’ so I changed it just a little bit more,” she said. “It became aware to me that, man, this is a lot to put on one person anyway. Like, therapy, hey! I ended up as more of an empowering thing, like, ‘Cool, it didn’t happen for me, but that doesn’t mean you’re not worthy [or] valuable.’”
The new rendition of “Piece by Piece” has found a place in Clarkson’s Vegas residency setlist, where she has embraced its empowering message. “It’s more of an empowering thing for me now, and I love it,” she quipped, highlighting her journey of healing and self-discovery through music.
Clarkson had previously expressed her reservations about performing the song after her split from Blackstock. In an interview on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” in October 2023, she admitted, “Look, I was finding a hard time singing it; like, I was like, ‘I don’t know if I want to really sing about that?’” Reflecting on her past emotions, she noted, “I was at a very different place when I wrote it.”
The lyrical changes have turned “Piece by Piece” from a nostalgic tribute into a powerful declaration of self-worth. Clarkson articulated the pressure she once felt, saying, “That was a lot of pressure to put on someone, you know, to pick up the pieces of something of your past.” This transformation has not only impacted her but has also resonated with fans who have experienced similar journeys of empowerment and self-acceptance.
In her candid discussions about the song, Clarkson emphasized the importance of recognizing one’s own value, regardless of past relationships. “It kind of put perspective on me, as well. It was like, ‘That was a lot of pressure to put on someone, you know, to pick up the pieces of something of your past.’”
As Clarkson continues to evolve both personally and artistically, her willingness to revisit and rewrite her own narrative through music serves as an inspiration for many. Her journey showcases the healing power of art and the importance of self-empowerment, making her story relatable to fans across the globe.
Through the lens of her experiences, Clarkson has transformed “Piece by Piece” into a universal anthem of resilience, encouraging listeners to embrace their worth and navigate their own paths toward healing. With each performance, she not only shares her story but also empowers others to reclaim their narratives and find strength in their journeys.
As she reflects on her past and looks toward the future, Clarkson’s evolution as an artist and individual continues to captivate audiences, reminding us all that our stories can be rewritten and that empowerment often comes from within.