The interwebs is alive today with the sound of music — or more accurately, the sound of a music scandal over two dueling diva power ballads: Kelly Clarkson’s “Already Gone” and Beyonce’s “Halo.”
MTV, Rolling Stone, and other press outlets are breathlessly replaying Clarkson’s remarks to reporter on Canada’s CBC regarding the two songs’ similarities, and her disappointment in co-writer Ryan Tedder (he of OneRepublic frontmanship and “Bleeding Love” co-penning fame). Says Kelly, in part, of working with Tedder:
“We wrote about six songs together, four or five of them made the album. It was all fine and dandy. I’d never heard of a song called ‘Halo.’ Her album came out when my album was already being printed. No-one’s gonna be sittin’ at home, thinking ‘Man, Ryan Tedder gave Beyonce and Kelly the same track to write to.’ No, they’re just gonna be saying I ripped someone off. I called Ryan and said, ‘I don’t understand. Why would you do that?’”
Watch them both here (The Beyonce clip will send you directly to a sanctioned YouTube stream):
Kelly also claims she “fought and fought” to prevent the label from releasing “Already Gone” as a single; they’re doing it now without her consent: “It sucks, but it’s one of those things I have no control over. I already made my album. At this point, the record company can do whatever they want with it. It’s kind of a s—-y situation, but.… You know, you learn.”
You know what I learned, readers? These songs are NOT SO MUCH ALIKE. Seriously — take any GarageBand backbeat to a songwriting session with two of the strongest female singers in the business, and you’ll get something about as similar as these: i.e., not much, beyond their atmospheric balladry.
But you tell me, readers — does Kelly have a right to be fightin’ mad at Tedder, or is this all just silly shenanigans?
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I mentioned this along with long time Popwatcher beb when Kelly’s album dropped back in the winter, but I guess it only gets coverage when some reporter FINALLY asks Kelly about it months later. *SIGH* As per my original comment back in March: Don’t tell me SOME exec didn’t know that both songs had the same exact production. It would have been possible at the beginning of Clarkson’s career, but seeing as how Beyonce is one Music World through Columbia and ultimately Sony/BMG, its the SAME company that writes Clarkson her paycheck as well. So they can create whatever story they want to the press, but the fact is someone(s) knew that BOTH of these songs were pretty much the same, and “Already Gone” became the top seller off Clarkson’s album on the iTunes chart the week it was released, so no wonder her label is working it as a single, after “I Do Not Hook Up” peaked at a meager #20 on the Billboard Hot 100. This was a story to be written in March, NOT now that her label is trying to release it as a single. Hwo come no one aksed Slezak what he feels about this ‘Idol’ controversy?
So KC’s cd was already being made so she couldnt do anything, fine. But KC didnt have 2 make the music vid. She willingly participated in making the mus vid, NOW AFTERWARDS she is saying ‘I’m mad that RCA is releasing the vid’. If u were mad y did u make the vid?
Bk’s cd came out in Nov, the Hal vid was made in Nov, & it was released in Jan. For 3-4 months it has been getting played so KC u have every opportunity 2 hear it.
U made the vid w RCA’s $, of course they’re gonna release it. They want a retunr on the $ investment.
nope it doesnt sound like beyonce. these are two different singers and two differnt albums and two different songs. beyonce fans there is no need to freak out on kc.
Huh! Nice job Ryan Tedder, I think you’ve finally jumped the shark, and not a moment too soon.
Kelly should be really proud of her song. Her vocal ability is amazing.
Check out Kelly’s vocal to Already Gone being sung to the backing track of Halo:
No it wasn’t written back in March Phil.
First of all, Phil at 4:05 p.m.: Perhaps, if you worked at EW or with any media outlet, you could have written about it earlier. That was funny. EVERYONE’s a writer/critic now. Ha!
Second, I guess this sort of validates Kelly’s stance on creative control for which she was all but eviscerated when My December came out, huh.
Other than the backing beat, I don’t think they’re that similar. Kelly’s does remind me of something, but not Halo — I pick up hints of Sarah McLachlan or Sinead O’Connor. Much prefer Kelly’s voice to Beyonce’s wailing anyway, and hope it’s a non-issue.
I get the two confused from the intro, but beyond that, they split enough to have enough their own identities as songs. Still, knowing they had the same writer explains the similarity.
Alot of writers and producers of songs can sometimes have their songs sound similar. It’s what interests them. But having the lyrics be different and the singer sound different makes the song sound different and gives it it’s own touch. I think thats it with these two songs. They are different enough to not be the same. I love both songs.
I personally like “Already Gone” better, but there is also a big similarity between Kelly’s “If I Can’t Have You” and Miley Cyrus’s “Fly On The Wall”. I noticed both of these when I got the CD. Odd… but I love KC!!
I noticed the same thing, but I love KC and can’t stand Miley.
what does miley have to do with this topic?
Already Gone sounds alot different…and better than Halo!
Though I can hear some similarities between the songs, they don’t really sound the same to me. And though I like “Halo,” I think “Already Gone” is a better song. Where it feels as though Beyonce is yelling the word “halo” at me, Kelly’s voice is filled with emotion and it’s so haunting. I do hope that this debate does not hurt Clarkson’s song. It’s a beautiful song, and I hope it becomes a big hit.
I agree. Same key, same structure. If you have the slightest musical training you should be able to hear how much these are alike.
I agree completely. You don’t even need to hear the vocalists because the music is the same, just different instruments are used.
This sounds a lot better than the last two singles – they burned out too soon. I’m not surprised about the comparisons – both “Bleeding Love” and “Halo” have had long runs on the charts, and this is probably expected to do the same.
WOW– everybody should play that Youtube in the comments below, with Kelly singing on top of Beyonce’s Halo. Same chords, same beat, same measures for verse and chorus.
You know why Ryan T did this? 1) He’s lazy, and 2) he doesn’t have that many ideas.
I totally agree Sara. He resold the same stuff. What a dog! There is so much creativity in the world. Ryan T is overrated. C’mon. Time to give new producers a try.