Because of You (Kelly Clarkson) – 2004

Kelly Clarkson explained in a 2005 interview with MTV that the song “Because Of You” is about breaking the cycle of mistakes that occur in a family, and she was afraid of following in her parents’ footsteps. It was reportedly inspired by their divorce when she was six.

Clarkson began writing this song when she was 16 years old, long before she won American Idol. The song is probably especially aimed at her mom because she was always busy after the separation and Clarkson had to make sandwiches for herself to eat. She became afraid of falling in love because she feared suffering the same way her parents did.