Breakaway (Kelly Clarkson album)

"Where Is Your Heart" redirects here. For the song from Moulin Rouge, see The Song from Moulin Rouge.

Breakaway
Physical standard CD artwork by Tony Duran
Studio album by Kelly Clarkson
Released	November 30, 2004 (2004-11-30)
Recorded	2004
Genre	Pop rock
Length	44:47
Label	RCA 19 S
Producer	Clive Davis (exec.) Kara DioGuardi Dr. Luke David Hodges Chantal Kreviazuk Clif Magness Rhett Lawrence Raine Maida Max Martin Ben Moody John Shanks
Kelly Clarkson chronology
Thankful (2003)Thankful2003 Breakaway (2004) My December (2007)My December2007
Alternative cover
Special edition CD+DVD artwork by James White, also replaced the original CD artwork in international circulation. The Original CD artwork is currently still in print only in the USA.
Singles from Breakaway
"Since U Been Gone" Released: November 16, 2004 "Behind These Hazel Eyes" Released: April 12, 2005 "Because of You" Released: August 16, 2005 "Walk Away" Released: January 17, 2006 "Breakaway" Released: May 30, 2006

Breakaway is the second studio album by American singer Kelly Clarkson, released on November 30, 2004, by RCA Records. The album is a follow-up to her successful debut album, Thankful (2003). Executive produced by Clive Davis, Breakaway sees Clarkson collaborating with various producers and songwriters for the first time, primarily Dr. Luke, Max Martin, Avril Lavigne, Kara DioGuardi, Ben Moody, and David Hodges; the latter two are former members of American rock band Evanescence. Despite the established commercial success of Thankful, music critics still continued to typecast Clarkson as an American Idol winner and were also critical of her attempts of establishing a commercial appeal on her own. Wanting to stray from those, she was convinced by Davis to work with Dr. Luke and Martin in Stockholm, and with Moody and Hodges in Los Angeles, in pursuit of a pop rock direction. This also led her to part ways with her manager Simon Fuller and hire the management services of Jeff Kwatinetz before the album's release. Breakaway is predominately a pop rock album with elements of rock and soul music, marking a departure from the R&B-oriented sound of Thankful; its lyrics explore themes of heartbreak, love, and escapism.

Breakaway received a positive response from music critics, with many commending the album's new-found pop rock sound and Clarkson's vocal performances. "It received several awards and nominations, including winning two Grammy Awards and receiving a nomination for a Juno Award. The album became a commercial success worldwide. By selling over 15 million copies worldwide, it remains her most successful album to date. After debuting at number three on the Billboard 200 in the United States, it stayed on the top twenty of the chart for more than a year, eventually being certified 6× multi-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments of more than six million copies.

Breakaway's singles "Since U Been Gone", "Behind These Hazel Eyes", "Because of You", "Walk Away", and "Breakaway" became worldwide hits and have become some of Clarkson's signature songs. Their successes prompted Billboard to credit her for landscaping the core sound of mainstream pop music as an uptempo dance-oriented sound in the 2000s. Furthermore, Breakaway established Clarkson as one of the four highest-selling acts of Sony BMG in the 2000s, and made Davis, Dr. Luke, and Martin prominent pop producers. Internationally, the album topped the music charts of Ireland and the Netherlands and became the world's 7th biggest-selling release of 2005, eventually being certified platinum in over 17 countries. To support Breakaway, Clarkson embarked on three international concert tours from 2005 to 2006: the Breakaway World Tour, Hazel Eyes Tour, and the Addicted Tour. Billboard placed the album 77th in the Greatest of All Time Billboard 200 Albums.

Background and production

The title track "Breakaway" was co-written by Avril Lavigne (pictured), who originally intended it to be included in her debut album Let Go (2002).

In early 2004, Clarkson began working on new material for her second studio album, which followed her successful debut album Thankful (2003), while co-headlining the Independent Tour with Clay Aiken, the runner-up from the second season of American Idol. She had also expressed intentions to record with Fantasia Barrino, who had then just won the series' third season; both were expected to release their albums in the same month.

As she began to work for the album with music executive Clive Davis, Clarkson was invited by Whitney Houston to record the song "Breakaway", which would be included for the soundtrack of the 2004 Walt Disney Pictures feature film The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, which Houston had co-produced. The song, written by Avril Lavigne, Matthew Gerrard, and Bridget Benenate, was initially written for Lavigne's debut album Let Go (2002) but deemed unsuitable for the album's themes at the time. Initially reluctant, Clarkson agreed to record the song. "Breakaway" was first released on July 2004 by Walt Disney Records as a single from the soundtrack, acting as an interim record until her second album's lead single was released. After debuting on the Billboard Hot 100 chart at number 60, it peaked at number six, a week before the album's release.

In April 2004, Clarkson entered the studio immediately after the Independent Tour. She said in an interview, "I've written most of (the songs) so far, but there's some people who have some stuff for me. I'm not one of those people who thinks you have to write everything. (I'll sing it) as long as I can relate to it." During the album's development, Davis revealed that he was reluctant to let Clarkson write material for the album. He revealed, "I always encourage people to write their own songs, but in the pop arena, where the career is totally dependent on hits, you get skeptical. Artists with great voices like Melissa Manchester and Taylor Dayne could have had much longer careers if they didn't insist on writing their own material." Clarkson reiterates that she's been writing songs since her teens, but rather than argue over labels or abilities, the two reached a détente—she would co-write half the album, with the other half being penned by other songwriters and producers. She said, "I just think it's funny that all these middle-age guys told me, 'You don't know how a pop song needs to sound.' I'm a 23-year-old girl! But I was fighting those battles alone." In February 2004, Clarkson met with musicians Ben Moody and David Hodges, who had just departed from their band Evanescence in late 2003. She said, "I didn't know that he (Moody) wasn't with Evanescence anymore," Clarkson said. "I just really liked their vibe and I thought it might be cool to work with one of them. So I just randomly asked people I work with, 'Hey, do you think that he'd work with me?' And then I found out that he kind of split and that's what he's doing ... so it worked out perfectly." Moody recalled, "It's cool because she wants to do some branching out, and I'm doing nothing but branching out, We got together and she had all these songs in mind of what she wanted to do. It's just a really, really cool process for me, because everybody is a new experience. Everybody works differently."

Worried of Clarkson being continually typecast as a talent show winner, Davis met with various producers, primarily Max Martin, and encouraged them to produce records for Clarkson in a pop rock direction. Clarkson revealed that she expected that she'll always be labeled as an American Idol winner, she remarked, "I'm the first one, so it's going to be on my grave, I'm aware of that. (There's no getting away from it) so why even try?" Upon their meeting, Martin presented songs he wrote with Dr. Luke. These songs include "Since U Been Gone" and a demo version of what would have been "Behind These Hazel Eyes". Davis wanted Clarkson to record the songs, describing them having "a sharp rock edge but were still capable of being pop hits. They would push Kelly in a promising direction for her, while maintaining and even growing her audience." Martin insisted that the songs should given to rock acts, wanting to stray from his reputation for producing pop singles for the Backstreet Boys and, Britney Spears in the 1990s. Davis recalled, "Max was looking to move on from what he had done with Backstreet Boys, and I really spent time convincing them that an American Idol winner could bring all the feeling and passion that was required to the song." Martin and Dr. Luke eventually agreed and invited Clarkson to travel to Sweden to record the songs. Upon hearing the tracks, Clarkson was skeptical of the pop elements; and the three eventually decided to develop a rock sound, a move Clarkson claimed Davis did not approve. Davis reiterated that he was ecstatic with the prospect, claiming that she disliked it and demanded that both the songs be removed from the album. Clarkson then asserted that she wanted it to be on the record and claimed that Davis had detested "Because of You" instead, saying that she "was a shitty writer (sic) who should be grateful for the gifts that he bestows upon. Davis reiterated the he loved the song and felt that Clarkson could indeed write hits.

Composition

Style and inspirations

"I grew up with Aerosmith, and I love listening to Jimi Hendrix. I grew up with a lot of rock influences in my life, but as well as a lot of Aretha Franklin, a lot of soul, so I don't know. I don't wanna limit myself, so I'm gonna kind of do whatever I want and put it on the record."

Clarkson on Breakaway' musical influences.

Wanting to stray away from the R&B-styled music of Thankful, which she described as a showcase of versatility, she revealed that Thankful's success "empowered me to step more into rock, step more into the soulful vibe." She described the music of the second album as "like the first CD in the sense that it's versatile, but it's more into the rock, It's more into the soulful roots, and it's just a little bit deeper, so it's pretty cool." Dr. Luke revealed in an interview that alternative music and indie music were inspirations to "Since U Been Gone", saying, "That was a conscious move by Max and myself, because we were listening to alternative and indie music and talking about some song-I don't remember what it was. I said, 'Ah, I love this song,' and Max was like, 'If they would just write a damn pop chorus on it!' It was driving him nuts, because that indie song was sort of on six, going to seven, going to eight, the chorus comes ... and it goes back down to five. It drove him crazy. And when he said that, it was like, light bulb. 'Why don't we do that, but put a big chorus on it?' It worked." Songs such as "Behind These Hazel Eyes", and "Because of You" were also inspired by her real life experiences, the former about her relationship with an ex-boyfriend and the latter about her experience after her parents' divorce.

Songs

Clarkson shares writing credits on six songs from Breakaway. "Breakaway" was included as the album's opening and title track. She described it as a simple song, and further explained, "I think that it's simplicity is what's beautiful about it. Whenever writers or producers come to work with me, they take advantage of the fact that I can really belt it out. What's cool about 'Breakaway' is that it doesn't take advantage of that. The song just uses the simplicity of my voice. I've done country music, I've done pop, I've done gospel... all of my singles have sounded different. But this song was different from everything I've done; people didn't even know it was me!" Written by Martin and Dr. Luke, Clarkson described the second track "Since U Been Gone", the last track she recorded for the album, as "not as "smooth" as pop or R&B. It's very emotional. Vocally, it can be a lot more challenging, but is very fun to play live" Written by Clarkson, Dr. Luke, and Martin, the third track "Behind These Hazel Eyes", was the last song to be recorded for the album. She recalled, "I wrote 'Behind The Hazel Eyes' about my last boyfriend. It's the last song I wrote for the album, I almost didn't make the deadline." The fourth track, "Because of You", was originally intended for Thankful. Clarkson wrote a draft of the song after a late night talk with a friend who had hard time with her family, with Moody and Hodges providing additional writing. "Gone", the fifth track, was written by Kara DioGuardi and John Shanks. Clarkson admits she cannot relate thoroughly on the song, but felt that it should be heard nonetheless. The sixth track, "Addicted, was written by Clarkson, Moody, and Hodges. Clarkson revealed that the song was inspired by the songs featured on Evanescence's debut album Fallen (2003). She remarked, "I wanted to work on them with someone as passionate about music as I am. And then I heard that Evanescence record ... I loved their record because of the passion behind it.

Clarkson co-wrote the seventh track, "Where Is Your Heart", with DioGuardi and Chantal Kreviazuk. She revealed that it was also about her boyfriend, Hodges, whom she described as "wanting to get really into our relationship, and I just thought, 'Where are you in our relationship?'" "Walk Away", the eight track, was also written by the three, with additional writing by Raine Maida. Clarkson described it as "one of the brighter songs" on Breakaway, and said that "It's very blunt and to the point. 'I'm done with you, you're upsetting me.'" DioGuardi and Shanks co-wrote the ninth track, "You Found Me". Clarkson revealed, "When I recorded this one, I was actually in a good place with a guy. It was very fitting at the time that I recorded it." DioGuardi had also co-written the tenth track, "I Hate Myself for Losing You", with Jimmy Harry and Shep Solomon. Clarkson described the song as "depressing", but felt it could be used as a foreshadowing device. She explained "I read something that Sting said in an interview, he talked about how the great thing about writing is that it is an emotional and therapeutic thing and you can get it out." The eleventh track, "Hear Me", was written by Clarkson, DioGuardi, and Clif Magness. Clarkson explained the song, "It's is almost like a prayer to God. I haven't met the person whom I will spend the rest of my life with, but the song is a prayer to God about that. That's what the song is. 'God, I'm ready for 'the one!'" The twelfth and closing track is a live recording of "Beautiful Disaster", originally from Thankful. Clarkson admitted that she hated Thankful's version of the song, and thought the production was distracting from the lyrics. So she decided to record a piano ballad version instead.

Release

Breakaway was first released in the North America on November 30, 2004 by RCA Records, 19 Recordings, and S Records, following an influx of releases by American Idol contestants Aiken, Ruben Studdard, and Barrino. The New York Times columnist Jeff Leeds noted that the release could benefit from a holiday season, but "it could also hinder their efforts to establish themselves as recording artists with distinctive personalities and the legitimacy needed for long careers." Davis reiterated that the release was intended to recede from their ties from American Idol, saying, "I'm not interested in merely souvenir sales". The album was titled Breakaway to capitalize on the success of the The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement soundtrack single "Breakaway", which was also reissued as the album's final single. Immediately before the album was released, Clarkson left 19 Management, dismissed Fuller as her manager, and quickly hired the managing services of Jeff Kwatinetz of the The Firm, though still contracted to 19 Recordings. A promotion plan was created for Clarkson for Breakaway's release. Davis positioned her to be RCA's top global priority, and at the recommendation of The Firm, removed American Idol from her official biography. Rather than being booked on arenas for her tour, Kwatinetz booked Clarkson for smaller amphitheaters to hone her performance skills. He remarked, "American Idol gave her a lot of exposure that allowed her to skip some steps in her development, and that's hazardous." Breakaway was first released internationally on January 3, 2005 by the Bertelsmann Music Group (now Sony Music Entertainment), and was released in the United Kingdom on July 18, 2005 by RCA. On November 2005, a special edition CD+DVD was released, containing additional bonus tracks and music videos.

Promotion

Clarkson, along with Studdard and Barrino, hosted a television musical special on the Fox Broadcasting Company entitled Kelly, Ruben & Fantasia: Home for Christmas on November 25, 2004. On the eve of Breakaway's release, she performed "Since U Been Gone" on the The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. On February 2005, she appeared on Saturday Night Live to perform "Since U Been Gone" and "Breakaway". On September 2005, she appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show and performed "Breakaway" as well as "Because of You". Clarkson also performed in award ceremonies and events, she performed "Since U Been Gone" on the 2005 MTV Video Music Awards at the AmericanAirlines Arena and on the 2006 BRIT Awards at the Earls Court. She performed "Because of You" on the 48th Annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center and on the 15th Echo Awards at the Estrel Berlin.

Clarkson performing at the Breakaway World Tour in Canberra, Australia in 2005

Singles

Breakaway's lead single, "Since U Been Gone", was released on November 2004, but gained traction at the beginning of 2005. After debuting at number seventy, it peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at number two, and stayed in the chart's top ten for 20 weeks. Despite a number two peak, "Since U Been Gone" remains as Clarkson's most successful single on the Billboard Hot 100, outpacing even her number one hits on the chart. It also topped nine other Billboard charts, including the Billboard Mainstream Top 40 and the Billboard Dance/Mix Show Airplay, and became a successful hit around the world. The second single, "Behind These Hazel Eyes", was released on April 2005 and continued the chart success. After debuting at number 87 on the Billboard Hot 100, it peaked at number six while "Since U Been Gone" is still in the top ten. It stayed on the chart's top ten for 15 weeks, and also became an international hit. The third single, "Because of You", released on August 2005, performed successfully along with its predecessors, peaking at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100. While "Since U Been Gone" became Breakaway's most successful release in the United States, "Because of You" became the album's most successful release internationally. It topped the Dutch Top 40 chart in the Netherlands, Schweizer Hitparade chart in Switzerland, the Tracklisten Airplay chart in Denmark and became a number one single on the Billboard European Hot 100 Singles chart; while also attaining a top ten position in nine regions. The follow-up track, "Walk Away", was released on January 2006 as Breakaway's fourth single and its final release in the United States. After debuting at number 97, it peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100, and became a top forty hit internationally. Originally released as a single from The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement soundtrack in July 2004, the titular track "Breakaway" was reissued as the album's fifth and final single in May 2006. After peaking on the Billboard Hot 100 at number six, it became a top twenty hit internationally.

Tours

From 2005 to 2006, Clarkson embarked on three concert tours to promote Breakaway: the Hazel Eyes Tour, the Breakaway World Tour, and the Addicted Tour. The Hazel Eyes tour took place in various theaters throughout North America, with the concert at UCF Arena being streamed live on AOL and AOL Radio. The Breakaway World Tour, which took place in between the Hazel Eyes Tour, marked as her first world tour, visiting theaters and arenas throughout in Europe and Oceania. Upon returning to the United States, she then embarked on the Addicted Tour, performing at various amphitheaters across North America.

Reception

Critical response

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic
Robert Christgau	B-
Entertainment Weekly	B
The Guardian
Rolling Stone
Slant Magazine
Stylus Magazine	B
Sputnikmusic

AllMusic senior editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine gave it a four out of five stars, and wrote "what gives Breakaway its spine are the driving, anthemic pop tunes, numbers that sound simultaneously mainstream and youthful, which is a hard trick to pull off" and describing the tracks as the ones that illustrate Clarkson as a rare thing in the 2000s: a pop singer who's neither hip nor square, just solidly and enjoyably in the mainstream. Sputnikmusic's Dave Donnelly gave it a "4" rating, remarking that "Breakaway is not a Thriller to her Off The Wall by no means, but that she has at least created a rare type of album: a one that which offers a full selection of potential singles, reminiscent of Michael Jackson's Bad or Thriller, which he described as having a mass appeal with artistic integrity and perceived longevity. Breakaway may be remembered in years to come as a pop classic, alongside Madonna's early material perhaps." Raymond Fiore of Entertainment Weekly gave the album a "B" rating, noting it's rock direction and describing it as "Avril-meets-Evanescence, with a splash of Pat Benatar." Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine gave Breakaway a three-and-a-half star rating, and commented that though her rocky leanings were hinted at on the less coherent Thankful, Clarkson had always cited Mariah Carey as a primary influence and that she still owes a lot to that former powerhouse artist. Furthering describing it as "what Mariah might sound like if she ever decided to rock out." Charles Merwin wrote for Stylus Magazine that the album's probable non-singles still maintain a quality "high enough to quell worries about the "I love the singles, but that's all I really need to hear" arguments." He described Clarkson as ranking some where at the top of her class as far as rock albums go among the teen pop set, saying that she "has a long way to go before we'll ever feel comfortable calling her anything besides an American Idol, but for now she has a sound that seems believable enough to support her considerable chops." In a quick review, Billboard described Breakaway as a "rare exhibition of substance over style".

Some critics, however, were less impressed by the album. Shirley Halperin of the Rolling Stone offered a mixed review. Giving the album a three-star rating, saying Clarkson isn't ready for her new sound. She asked, "You can't help but wonder, Who is the real Kelly Clarkson, and when will she stop wearing her big sister's hand-me-downs?" Caroline Sullivan of The Guardian gave it a two-star rating, saying that the title track expresses Clarkson's novel desire to "spread my wings and learn to fly", but settles into a catchy enough rut that at times."

Commercial performance

Breakaway is currently Clarkson's most successful release to date, with sales of over 15 million copies worldwide. On the week ending December 18, 2004, the album debuted at number three on Billboard 200 chart in the United States with 250,000 copies, which were 47,000 less than her first week sales of Thankful. Music commercial analysts noted that Clarkson's commercial appeal has endured beyond American Idol, but also commented on its slumping performance. Billboard director Geoff Mayfield noted the lackluster performance may have been caused by being released in a competitive holiday market. Despite failing to top the chart, the record stayed on the top twenty of the Billboard 200 for 61 consecutive weeks, and became the first title in five years to spend its entire year in the top twenty of the chart. By the end of 2005, Breakaway became the year's third best-selling album in the United States, according to Nielsen Soundscan. It was certified 6× multi-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America on May 23, 2007, and as of 2014, it has sold over 6,307,000 copies in the United States and becoming her best-selling record in the region.

Breakaway has also enjoyed commercial success internationally; it became her first album to chart in over nineteen regions. By the end of 2005, the album became the world's seventh best-selling release of the year according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. In the United Kingdom, it debuted on the Official UK Albums Chart at number ten with 17,631 copies. At the beginning of 2006, the album ascended to number three on the chart. As of 2012, it has sold over 1,571,278 copies in the region. In Australia, Breakaway debuted on the ARIA Albums Chart at number twenty-nine, and also spent its entire year on the top fifty, peaking at number two. In Ireland, the album debuted on the IRMA Artist Albums chart at number twenty-one, and topped the chart in 2006. Together with the Australian Recording Industry Association, the Irish Recorded Music Association certified the record as 7× multi-platinum, its highest certification overall. In the Netherlands, the album debuted on the Mega Album Top 100 at number forty-seven and topped the chart for three weeks. In other regions, Breakaway peaked in the top five in the national charts of Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece, New Zealand, Portugal, and Switzerland; and has attained a top twenty position in six regions worldwide.

Accolades

Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Kelly Clarkson

It has received various accolades from several music industry awards. It won Grammy Awards for Best Pop Vocal Album and Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for "Since U Been Gone" at the 49th ceremony, marking the first time she won a Grammy Award. It was also nominated for a Juno Award for International Album of the Year at the 36th Juno Awards. In the 2005 American Music Awards, Breakaway received four nominations, including Favorite Pop/Rock Album, and earned Clarkson two awards for Artist of the Year and Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist. In addition, she won the award for Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist at the 2006 American Music Awards. It also earned her twelve nominations at the 2005 Billboard Music Awards, nine of which she had won. At the 2005 Teen Choice Awards, Breakaway won four awards, including a Choice Album award. At the TMF Awards, the album enabled Clarkson to win three awards, including a Best Pop Artist and a Best Female Artist award.

Breakaway also appeared on decade-end best-of lists. Newsweek ranked it as the ninth best album of the 2000s. Entertainment Weekly ranked it as the 29th of the 100 best albums from 1988 to 2008.

Impact

Music commercial analysts reported that Clarkson has attained a commercial appeal on her own with Breakaway, despite their initial skepticism of her establishing prominence beyond American Idol. Davis recalled that "With the songs "Since U Been Gone" and "Behind These Hazel Eyes", we were able to take Clarkson to a major seller of albums all over the world where they had never even heard of American Idol." According to Mediabase, which monitors radio station airplay in North America, Clarkson was the most played artist on the radio of 2006. David Corey, program director of WXKS-FM, described it as "very rare". Just before the release of her third studio album, Davis also stated that she was one of the top four artists at Sony BMG".

Billboard credits Clarkson for landscaping the core sound of mainstream pop music in the 2000s to a uptempo dance-oriented sound with the release of "Since U Been Gone" and the singles that followed it. The album's producers also came into prominence due to the album's success. Dr. Luke, who was the house band lead guitarist for Saturday Night Live at the time of the Breakaway's release, has credited "Since U Been Gone" as his first big break. Max Martin, who had already found major success as a music producer in the 1990s and early 2000s with, among others, Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys and NSYNC, achieved more prominence due to the success of "Since U Been Gone" and "Behind These Hazel Eyes".

Breakaway's critical acclaim also enabled Clarkson to also earn critical respect, particularly from the rock and indie music scene, who had looked down upon American Idol contestants. In his memoir, Davis recalled a meeting Fuller and BMG President Charles Goldstuck, where Fuller acknowledged how the worldwide success of Breakaway has validated American Idol itself. The popularity of "Since U Been Gone" among the rock community has also resulted to various cover versions by rock acts, such as A Day to Remember, Ted Leo, and Tokyo Police Club. She recalled, "It's ridiculous how well that song was received by hard rockers, by indie people. I was walking around with a friend of mine and this hard-rock guy came up to me and was like, 'I look stupid, but I tell my friends I love this song.' People at concerts are like, 'That's my guilty pleasure. I don't mean to be mean, but I didn't want to like the "American Idol" girl. But they love that song, and it kind of won them over."

Track listing

Breakaway – Standard edition
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Breakaway"	Matthew Gerrard Bridget Benenate Avril Lavigne	John Shanks	3:57
2.	"Since U Been Gone"	Martin Sandberg Lukasz "Dr. Luke" Gottwald	Max Martin Gottwald	3:12
3.	"Behind These Hazel Eyes"	Kelly Clarkson Sandberg Gottwald	Martin Gottwald	3:18
4.	"Because of You"	Clarkson David Hodges Ben Moody	Hodges Moody	3:39
5.	"Gone"	Kara DioGuardi Shanks	Shanks	3:27
6.	"Addicted"	Clarkson Hodges Moody	Hodges Moody	3:57
7.	"Where Is Your Heart"	Clarkson DioGuardi Chantal Kreviazuk	Raine Maida Kreviazuk	4:39
8.	"Walk Away"	Clarkson DioGuardi Kreviazuk Maida	Maida DioGuardi Kreviazuk	3:08
9.	"You Found Me"	DioGuardi Shanks	Shanks	3:39
10.	"I Hate Myself for Losing You"	DioGuardi Jimmy Harry Shep Solomon	Clif Magness	3:20
11.	"Hear Me"	Clarkson DioGuardi Magness	Magness	3:56
12.	"Beautiful Disaster" (Live)	Matthew Wilder Rebekah Jordan		4:34
Total length:				44:47

Breakaway – Limited edition (bonus tracks)
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer	Length
13.	"Miss Independent"	Clarkson Rhett Lawrence Christina Aguilera Matt Morris	Lawrence	3:34
14.	"Low"	Jimmy Harry	Magness	3:29

Breakaway – Special edition (bonus tracks)
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
13.	"Since U Been Gone" (Jason Nevins Club Mix)	Sandberg Gottwald	7:40
14.	"Behind These Hazel Eyes" (Joe Bermudez & Josh Harris Top 40 Radio Mix)	Clarkson Sandberg Gottwald	3:10
15.	"Breakaway" (NapsterLive version)	Gerrard Benenate Lavigne	4:21
16.	"Because of You" (Rolling Stone live session)	Clarkson Hodges Moody	3:34
17.	"Miss Independent" (AOL live version)	Clarkson Lawrence Aguilera Morris	3:41
18.	"Hear Me" (AOL live version)	Clarkson DioGuardi Magness	3:56

Breakaway – Special edition DVD (music videos)
No.	Title	Director(s)	Length
1.	"Since U Been Gone" (Music video)	Alex DeRakoff	3:08
2.	"Behind These Hazel Eyes" (Music video)	Joseph Kahn	3:18
3.	"Because of You" (Music video)	Vadim Perelman	3:39

Credits and personnel

Credits lifted from the album's liner notes.

Recorded at

• Hollywood, California (Henson Recording Studios, NRG Recording Studios, Westlake Recording Studios)
• Malibu, California (Whitecoat Sound)
• Santa Monica, California (Blue Iron Gate Studio)

• New York City, New York (Dr. Luke's)
• Stockholm, Sweden (Maratone Studios)

Performance credits

• Lead Vocals – Kelly Clarkson (All tracks)

• Background vocals – Kelly Clarkson, Suzie Benson, Danielle Brisebois

Instruments

• Bass – Paul Bushnell (track 5), Jason Lader (7-8), Clif Magness (10-11), Marty O'Brien (4, 6), John Shanks (1, 5, 9)
• Drums – Kenny Aronoff (track 9), Mark Colbert (4, 6), Randy Cooke (7-8), Olle Dahlstedt (2), Steve Ferrera, Josh Freese (10-11), Shawn Pelton (3), Jeff Rothschild (1, 5)
• Guitars – Rhett Lawrence, Clif Magness (Acoustic & Electric: tracks 10-11), Raine Maida (7-8), Ben Moody (4, 6), Phil X (7-8), Olle Romo, John Shanks (1, 5, 9)

• Keyboards and piano – David Hodges (tracks 4, 6), Jason Halbert (12), Clif Magness (10-11), John Shanks (1, 5, 9)
• Strings – Victor Lawrence (tracks 7-8), Shanti Randall (7-8), Mark Robertson (7-8), Shalini Vijayan (7-8)
• All Other instruments – Dr. Luke (tracks 2-3), Max Martin (2-3)

Production

• A&R – Stephen Ferrera
• Arrangement – David Campbell (strings: tracks 4, 6), Chantal Kreviazuk (strings: 7), David Hodges (strings: 4, 6), Raine Maida (strings: 7-8), Kara DioGuaraldi (strings: 8), Clif Magness
• Art directors – Robin C. Hendrickson, Brett Kilroe
• Recording engineers – Lars Fox (5, 9), Toby Francis (Live: 12), Clif Magness (10-11), Mark Valentine (5, 9)
  • Pro Tools engineers – Johan Brorsson (tracks 2-3), John Hanes (2-11)
  • Assistant recording engineers – Jon Berkowitz (tracks 7-8), Sergio Chavez (4, 6), Kevin Harp, Mark Kiczula (7-8, 10-11), Aaron Lepley (12), Renson Mateo (12), Glenn Pittman (9), Cesar Ramirez
• Songwriters – Kelly Clarkson (tracks 3-4, 6-8, 11), Christina Aguilera, Bridget Benenate (1), Kara DioGuardi (5, 7-11), Chantal Kreviazuk (7), David Hodges (4, 6), Matthew Gerrard (1), Lukasz Gottwald (2-3), Jimmy Harry, Rebekah Jordan (12), Avril Lavigne (1), Rhett Lawrence, Raine Maida (8), Clif Magness (11), Martin Sandberg (2-3), Ben Moody (4, 6), Matt Morris, John Shanks (5, 9), Shep Solomon (10), Matthew Wilder (12)

• Managers – Simon Fuller, Jeff Kwatinetz
• Mastering – Joe Yannece
• Audio Mixers – Bob Clearmountain, Serban Ghenea (tracks 2-4, 6-11), Brad Gilderman (12), Rhett Lawrence, Steve McMillan, Dave Pensado, Jeff Rothschild (1, 5), John Shanks (1, 5)
  • Assistant audio mixers – Kevin Harp, Tim Roberts (tracks 2-4, 6-11)
• Photographer – Tony Duran. James White
• Executive producer – Clive Davis
• Producers – Kara DioGuardi (track 8), Dr. Luke (2-3), Chantal Kreviazuk (7), David Hodges (4, 6), Rhett Lawrence, Raine Maida (7-8), Clif Magness (10-11), Max Martin (2-3), Ben Moody (4, 6), John Shanks (1, 5, 9)
• Production coordinator – Shari Sutcliffe
• Programming – Jason Lader, Clif Magness
• Recording – Lasse Mårtén

Charts

Peak positions

Chart (2004)	Peak position
US Billboard 200	3

Chart (2005)	Peak position
Australian Albums (ARIA)	2
Canadian Albums (Billboard)	6
Japanese Albums (Oricon)	40
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)	5

Chart (2006)	Peak position
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)	3
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)	3
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)	31
Croatian Foreign Albums (HDU)	27
Czech Albums (ČNS IFPI)	27
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)	2
Dutch Albums (MegaCharts)	1
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)	6
French Albums (SNEP)	20
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)	4
Greek Albums (IFPI)	2
Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)	19
Irish Albums (IRMA)	1
Italian Albums (FIMI)	36
Japanese Albums (Oricon) Special edition	184
Mexican Albums (Top 100 Mexico)	13
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)	8
Polish Albums (ZPAV)	24
Portuguese Albums (AFP)	4
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)	43
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)	6
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)	2
UK Albums (OCC)	3

Chart (2010)	Peak position
Korean International Albums (Gaon)	39

Year-end charts

Chart (2005)	Position
Australian Albums (ARIA)	2
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)	97
Irish Albums (IRMA)	6
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)	9
UK Albums (OCC)	8
US Billboard 200	5

Chart (2006)	Position
Australian Albums (ARIA)	29
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)	22
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)	10
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)	99
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)	13
Dutch Albums (MegaCharts)	10
Finnish Albums (Musiikkituottajat)	17
French Albums (SNEP)	132
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)	10
Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)	67
Irish Albums (IRMA)	11
Mexican Albums (Top 100 Mexico)	33
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)	39
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)	19
UK Albums (OCC)	30
US Billboard 200	10

Decade-end charts

Chart (2000–09)	Position
Australian Albums (ARIA)	21
UK Albums (OCC)	59
US Billboard 200	29

Certifications

Region	Certification	Sales/shipments
Australia (ARIA)	7× Platinum	490,000
Austria (IFPI Austria)	Gold	15,000
Belgium (BEA)	Platinum	50,000
Brazil (ABPD)	Gold	30,000
Canada (Music Canada)	5× Platinum	500,000
Denmark (IFPI Denmark)	Platinum	40,000
Finland (Musiikkituottajat)		13,646
France (SNEP)	Silver	35,000
Germany (BVMI)	3× Gold	300,000
Hungary (MAHASZ)	Gold	3,000
Ireland (IRMA)	7× Platinum	105,000
Indonesia (ASIRI)	Platinum	15,000*
Mexico (AMPROFON)	Gold	50,000
Netherlands (NVPI)	Platinum	70,000
New Zealand (RMNZ)	3× Platinum	45,000
Norway (IFPI Norway)	2× Platinum	80,000
Portugal (AFP)	Gold	10,000
Singapore (RIAS)	Platinum	10,000*
South Africa (RISA)	2× Platinum	80,000^
Sweden (GLF)	Platinum	60,000
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)	Platinum	30,000
United Kingdom (BPI)	5× Platinum	1,590,000
United States (RIAA)	6× Platinum	6,307,000
Summaries
Europe (IFPI)	2× Platinum	2,000,000
*sales figures based on certification alone ^shipments figures based on certification alone

Release history

Region	Date	Label	Format	Catalog
Canada	November 30, 2004 (2004-11-30)	Bertelsmann Music Group	Standard CD release	82876-64491-2
United States		RCA Records, 19 Recordings, S Records
Australia	January 3, 2005 (2005-01-03)	Bertelsmann Music Group
Europe	January 8, 2005 (2005-01-08)			82876-70291-2
Japan	January 26, 2005 (2005-01-26)	BMG Japan	Limited edition CD release	BVCP-24059
United Kingdom	July 18, 2005 (2005-07-18)	RCA Records		82876-69026-2
France		Jive Records
China	September 30, 2005 (2005-09-30)	Sony BMG Music Entertainment		9787799420134
United States	November 25, 2005 (2005-11-25)	RCA Records, 19 Recordings, S Records	Special edition CD+DVD reissue	82876-74553-2
Australia	November 29, 2005 (2005-11-29)	Sony BMG Music Entertainment
Japan	December 21, 2005 (2005-12-21)	BMG Japan		BVCP-28053
France	March 2, 2006	Jive Records	Limited edition CD reissue	82876-70291-2

See also

• List of number-one albums of 2006 (Ireland)
• List of best-selling albums of the 2000s in Australia
• List of best-selling albums of the 2000s in the United Kingdom

External links

• Official Breakaway site (archived)