Kelly Clarkson joins Spotify’s Billions Club as her pop-rock anthem “Since U Been Gone” surpasses 1 billion streams — two decades after its release, proving her timeless impact
Kelly Clarkson has officially made history on Spotify. Her 2004 hit “Since U Been Gone” has surpassed 1 billion streams, marking her first entry into the platform’s prestigious Billions Club. Twenty-one years after its release, the song continues to inspire new listeners — solid proof that Clarkson’s voice and message remain just as powerful today as they were in the early 2000s.
The milestone crowns a defining moment for the 43-year-old singer, whose evolution from American Idol winner to global pop-rock powerhouse changed the trajectory of modern pop music.
Released as the second single from her Grammy-winning album Breakaway in 2004, “Since U Been Gone” quickly became an anthem of empowerment, heartbreak, and release. The track climbed to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, earned Clarkson a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance (2006), and helped redefine the female pop sound of its era.
The Max Martin and Dr. Luke-produced hit fused rock guitars with infectious pop hooks, capturing the raw emotion of moving on. Its music video — complete with early-2000s energy and grunge-pop flair — became iconic in its own right, winning two MTV Video Music Awards for Best Female Video and Best Pop Video.
Despite its massive success, the song’s creation wasn’t without tension. In a 2023 interview, Clarkson revealed that her first meeting with the producers in Sweden was “awkward and uncomfortable,” as the song had already been written before she arrived. “I felt blindsided,” she said, “but I’ve learned to separate the art from the experience. Performing it live still feels incredible.”
“Since U Been Gone” became more than a breakup song — it was a battle cry for freedom and resilience. Its infectious chorus and soaring vocals resonated with millions, bridging generations and genres. Two decades later, the track still appears on TikTok trends, nostalgic playlists, and viral covers, connecting with audiences who weren’t even born when it first topped the charts.
Beyond this billion-stream triumph, Clarkson’s other hits are steadily climbing:
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“Underneath the Tree” — 863M streams
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“Because of You” — 820M streams
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“Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” — 815M streams
Each song reflects her unmatched ability to fuse emotion with melody — a balance few pop artists have maintained so consistently.
Clarkson’s current career chapter, including her Las Vegas residency Kelly Clarkson: Studio Sessions, highlights her staying power and connection with fans. In a recent statement, she reflected on the milestone:
“If a song written about finding freedom still makes people sing along twenty years later, you’ve done something right.”
As one of the defining voices of 21st-century pop, Kelly Clarkson’s billion-stream milestone is more than a number — it’s a reminder of the endurance of authenticity, emotion, and power in music.
Two decades later, “Since U Been Gone” remains what it always was: a timeless anthem that makes every listener want to sing their heart out.
