Meaning of Life is the eighth studio album by American pop singer Kelly Clarkson. It was released on October 27, 2017, by Atlantic Records. Executive produced by Clarkson and Craig Kallman, the album is her debut release for the label after completing her recording contract and leaving previous label, RCA Records, which she had signed after winning the first season of American Idol. Weary of the structure of the previous record deal where she was strictly limited to releasing pop music, Clarkson wanted to pursue a different genre—soul and R&B music, which she had previously wanted to make and had only finally found the opportunity to do so after being signed by Kallman to the label.
Craig Kallman, Chairman and CEO of Atlantic Records, personally handled the A&R work on the album and also served as its executive producer, making him the first CEO to executive produce a Kelly Clarkson album since Clive Davis.
Clarkson performing at the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto
Kelly Clarkson is an American singer, songwriter, television personality, and author. She rose to fame after winning the first season of American Idol in 2002, which earned her a record deal with RCA Records. Her debut single, "A Moment Like This", topped the US Billboard Hot 100, and became the country's best-selling single of 2002. It was included on her debut studio album, Thankful (2003), which entered the Billboard 200 at number one, and also yielded the top-10 single "Miss Independent". Trying to reinvent her image, Clarkson parted ways with Idol management and shifted to pop rock for her second studio album, Breakaway (2004). Supported by four US top-ten singles – the title track, "Since U Been Gone", "Behind These Hazel Eyes", and "Because of You" – Breakaway sold over 12 million copies worldwide and won two Grammy Awards.
Clarkson in 2018
Clarkson during her Breakaway World Tour on November 15, 2005, Canberra, Australia
Clarkson and Reba McEntire during the 2 Worlds 2 Voices Tour in 2008
Kelly Clarkson at the Women's World Awards 2009 in Vienna in Austria