Had I posted my immediate thoughts on Kelly Clarkson‘s “Mr. Know It All” when it was released September 5th, I would have likely been ranting and raving about it being just another RANT against men (which it is) but since I’ve had a couple of months to let it soak in…I have to say it’s grown on me quite a bit. Is it Clarkson’s best single to date? No. Is it a solid effort? Yeah. It kinda is. Well that wasn’t exactly a ringing endorsement, was it?
Co-penned by Brian Seals, Ester Dean, Brett James and Dante Jones and produced by Brian Kennedy (alongside Dean and Jones) “Mr. Know It All” is a schmaltzy mid tempo ballad whose title packs more of a punch than the song itself. When the song title was revealed I immediately thought of another up-tempo Clarkson club stomper called “Miss Independent.” Boy was I disappointed. The first single taken from Clarkson’s 5th studio album Stronger (released October 24th), “Mr. Know It All” has been described by Clarkson as “vocally raw” and “very different” and “super sassy.” I’ll agree with the sassy part and I guess the raw bit but different? I don’t think so. I guess it’s more middle of the road than anything she’s released before. Does that count as different?
While it certainly sounds like a bash fest up in here, the song has grown on me since the first listen. I swear, it has. Is the song still middle of the road? Absolutely. Despite being average, “Mr. Know It All” managed to crack the top 10 on Billboard‘s Hot 100 chart, becoming Clarkson’s ninth top 10 hit. Not too shabby. Meanwhile, single #2, the Greg Kurstin-produced “What Doesn’t Kill You (Stronger)” is vastly superior and hooray! Up-tempo!! Look out for a video featuring a worldwide flash mob and choreography coming out soon. In the meantime, check out the “Mr. Know It All” video below, directed by Justin Francis and featuring Clarkson looking fabulous while telling off an ex-boyfriend and haters everywhere. Download “Mr. Know It All” on U.S. iTunes HERE.
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