Kelly Clarkson: What Doesn't Kill You (Stronger) Meaning

Song Released: 2011

What Doesn't Kill You (Stronger) Lyrics

You know the bed feels warmer
Sleeping here alone
You know I dream in color
And do the things I want

You think you got the best of me
Think you've had the last laugh
Bet you think that everything good is gone
Think you left me broken...

1. 1TOP RATED

   #1 top rated interpretation:
   anonymous

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   Feb 18th 2012 !⃝

   I think this song is her talking towards an ex boyfriend and saying that she doesnt need him in order to be strong. She doesn't need him to make her happy or in order for her to stand tall, she can do that all on her own.

2. 2TOP RATED

   #2 top rated interpretation:
   anonymous

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   Feb 18th 2012 !⃝

   She's saying that by breaking up with her she has become stronger and a better and confident person

3. 3TOP RATED

   #3 top rated interpretation:
   e_howe425

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   Nov 5th 2013 !⃝

   In my opinion, this song is about getting up and moving on. Because the sucky thing about caring for someone or something, is that it leaves you open to getting hurt. However, if we aren't destroyed by something, we will always be able to bounce back, and that makes us stronger.
4. anonymous

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   Aug 6th 2021 !⃝

   In every negative situation use it as a stepping stone to a positive new path! Always remember the scars but don’t let it “Define” who you are! You are worthy of happiness but it takes work and effort.
5. anonymous

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   Jan 18th 2021 !⃝

   I am banana man
   
   I think it’s about mr banana saying hi then she said ew you mango then she made a hole song about it and mr banana is still offended about being called a mango
6. anonymous

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   Jan 12th 2021 !⃝

   I think that this song means that you don't have to live off of a person you can live off of your own life.
7. anonymous

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   Jul 5th 2020 !⃝

   Whether it's ways to leave a love relationship behind, or quitting your job, these songs mark that important bridge between where you were and where you're going.
8. anonymous

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   Jan 29th 2019 !⃝

   This song means that in hard times, we need to have the courage to "stand a little taller" with a smile. Those experiences will help us to learn something in life.
9. anonymous

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   Apr 1st 2017 !⃝

   I think that this song means that she had a relationship with a jerk, and they broke up. He thought he had the 'Last Laugh' and he thought he left her 'Broken Down'. She proved to him that he was wrong, and that she wasn't lonely without his company. He obviously didn't know that! Then, she got together with someone new, and he heard that. Hence 'What doesn't kill you makes you stronger!'!
10. anonymous

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    Apr 1st 2017 !⃝

    I think that this song means that she had a relationship with a jerk, and they broke up. He thought he had the 'Last Laugh' and he thought he left her 'Broken Down'. She proved to him that he was wrong, and that she wasn't lonely without his company. He obviously didn't know that! Then, she got together with someone new, and he heard that. Hence 'What doesn't kill you makes you stronger!'!
11. anonymous

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    May 18th 2014 !⃝

    I think that this song means about an ex and that when they broke up she just grew stronger cause it ain't killing her its just making her fell way stronger she only needs her self to be happy
12. anonymous

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    Nov 19th 2013 !⃝

    I see this song as talking not just to an ex, but to everybody who ever hurt her or made her feel worthless, now she's telling them that it doesn't matter what they say because "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger!".
13. anonymous

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    Sep 19th 2012 !⃝

    shes telling him that by breaking up with her hes only made her stronger and made her a better person so that she got the last laugh as shes now a better person for it.
14. anonymous

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    Sep 7th 2012 !⃝

    This speaks for everyone. A few months ago, on 5/5/12, I lost my very first guinea pig, Linny. The day of her death, I heard this song play on my radio, and then I just thought "Oh my god - this is Linny!". The reason I say this is because...
    
    "You know the bed feels warmer, sleeping here alone. You know I dream in color, and do the things I want," tells me that although I loved Linny so much, she belonged where she is now. She is in a better place.
    "Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone / Doesn't mean I'm over cause you're gone" says that although I am hurt by this experience, I'm not over like she is.
    "Thanks to you I got a new thing started" is that Linny was my first guinea pig and there are many more to come after her.
    "Thanks to you I'm not the broken hearted" means that there is someone out there like her that can help me, and Linny was just one who got me one step closer.
    "Thanks to you I'm finally thinking 'bout me" means that I loved Linny a little too much and her death told me to focus on myself first, and then save the rest for the ones I love.
    "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger" can go two ways. The first one is that Linny was sick often and she had a lot of stress in her life, but all that I think is what made her keep hanging on for so long at the end before she died. The second one is to me from her, saying that even though she's gone, I'm not, and I'm stronger because of that.
    
    So all in all, really what this means is that as much as you think that tough times are hurting you like walking all over five thousand porcupines, they're really making you a better person.
15. anonymous

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    Apr 17th 2012 !⃝

    A good song to move you on. What doesn't kill you'll make you stronger. You are a special person. Believe me. Spread your love and don't look back in anger.
    
    Everybody loves you.
16. anonymous7

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    Mar 9th 2012 !⃝

    I feel like this song could be interpreted as a F you song. Maybe she is singing to all those people that said she would never amount to anything or make it in the big leagues. This could also be a song that tells people that you will get made fun of, but that all just makes you stronger and a better person. The last thing is I feel like the song is saying that you will have breakups but they just get you ready for The One

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