When Kelly Clarkson sings, she really sings and doesn't hold back when it comes to baring her soul. Over the years, fans have followed her powerhouse vocals and the profoundly personal journey etched into her lyrics. Now, in the wake of the heartbreaking news that her ex-husband Brandon Blackstock has passed away at age 48 after a private battle with cancer, listeners are revisiting the emotional roadmap of their relationship, one song at a time.
Clarkson's catalog tells a story, from falling in love to falling apart. While she never names names in every song, fans and critics have drawn clear connections to her 10-year relationship with Blackstock, which began in 2012, led to marriage in 2013, and ended in divorce in 2021.
Together, they had two children, and a public love story that eventually gave way to a very public split. Here's a look back at every song Kelly Clarkson is confirmed, or heavily believed, to have written about Brandon Blackstock.
"Don't Rush" (2012)
"Tie It Up" (2013)
"Winter Dreams (Brandon's Song)" – Wrapped in Red (2013)
"Piece by Piece" – Piece by Piece (2015)
The "Nope" Stocking Moment – When Christmas Comes Around… (2021)
"Christmas Isn't Canceled (Just You)" – When Christmas Comes Around… (2021)
"Merry Christmas (To the One I Used to Know)"
"ABCDEFU" (Kellyoke Lyric Flip)
Kelly Clarkson has never needed permission to feel what she feels, and she's made a career out of letting us feel it with her. Her songs about Brandon Blackstock mark a full emotional arc from the first kiss to the final goodbye.
They're not just songs about a man but about evolving, surviving, and growing. Clarkson's openness has helped so many fans get through their own heartbreak, and with each lyric, she reminds us that the most powerful stories come from the most personal places.
Brandon Blackstock Dead at 48
Brandon Blackstock died at the age of 48 after a private, three-year battle with cancer. “It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away,” the family’s statement read. “Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years. He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family. We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and ask everyone to respect the family's privacy during this very difficult time.”
Blackstock leaves behind four children, Savannah and Seth from a previous marriage, and River and Remington with Clarkson, and a grandson, Lake, born in 2022. He is also survived by his father, Narvel Blackstock, siblings Shelby, Shawna, and Chassidy, and former stepmother Reba McEntire, who was married to Narvel.
Just one day before his passing was announced, Clarkson addressed Blackstock’s illness in a statement. She shared that she would be stepping away from her Las Vegas residency to focus on their two children.