Because Of You - Kelly Clarkson (RCA)

Kelly Clarkson turns to a song she initially wrote when she was 16 for the fourth single from her hit album Breakaway. Ben Moody and David Hodges, formerly of the group Evanescence, helped add flesh to the bones of the song. It's a big pop ballad that expresses raw emotion, and it may appeal to fans with similar concerns, but ultimately the song fails to be truly moving.

While reviewing songs for possible inclusion in her album Breakaway, Kelly Clarkson remembered one song she had written at age 16. The song was "Because Of You" and was inspired by Clarkson's experiences growing up in a broken home. She enlisted help from Ben Moody and David Hodges, former members of the pop-rock group Evanescence, to expand the song into a form suitable for the album.

Moody and Hodges have experience with big pop sounds from their group work, and Kelly Clarkson believes that made them a good match for her voice. The classic pop ballad arrangement does work well. Judicious use of strings help emphasize the emotional anguish present in the song. Unfortunately, the lyrics of "Because Of You" sound more like the work of a 16-year-old than that of an accomplished pop songwriter.

Kelly Clarkson's "Because Of You" will likely resonate with some of her audience. The simple focal point "Because of you I am afraid" is driven home effectively with her vocal performance. Unfortunately, the storyline structure that helped make "Since U Been Gone" and "Behind These Hazel Eyes" such huge hits is lacking, and, consequently, "Because Of You" is unlikely to scale the heights of these singles.