Kelly Clarkson “Already Gone” vs. Beyonce “Halo”

July 27th, 2009 by Castina

Tagged as: Beyonce Knowles, Kelly Clarkson, Popular Culture, Today's New Music

Kelly Clarkson is once again at odds with RCA Records. This time the dispute is over her new power ballad — which sounds bizarrely like Beyonce’s 2008 hit, “Halo.”

The dispute began after the American Idol Season One champ realized that “Already Gone,” a tune she co-wrote with hit songwriter Ryan Tedder, was a deadringer for another Tedder-penned tune, “Halo.”

Tedder recently confessed that he gave both platinum-selling singers a tune with the same backing track. However, by the time Kelly heard “Halo” and realized the similarities between the tracks, it was too late to make changes to her current album, All I Ever Wanted, which debut last spring.

In an interview with Canada’s CBC Radio this week, Kelly reveals that she has been fighting behind the scenes to keep her latest single, “Already Gone,” from being released — to no avail.

“No one’s gonna be sittin’ at home, thinking ‘Man, Ryan Tedder gave Beyoncé and Kelly the same track to write to.’” she said. “No, they’re just gonna be saying I ripped someone off.”

A frustrated Kelly adds, “I fought and fought” to stop it, she said, but couldn’t. “In the end, they’re releasing it without my consent. …It sucks, but it’s one of those things I have no control over. I already made my album. At this point, the record company can do whatever they want with it. It’s kind of a sh- – -y situation, but . . . you know, you learn.”

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9 Responses to “Kelly Clarkson “Already Gone” vs. Beyonce “Halo””

On July 27th 2009, kellyfan wrote:

Thanks for highlighting the fact that Kelly CO-WROTE this song. That surely adds to her frustration over the whole thing. There’s nothing more irritating than seeing someone blatantly rip off your own work. I love Kelly’s music !
On July 27th 2009, KCLover wrote:

Before i begin my long description of why this is totally ludicrous, i’d like to say that both of these songs are absolutely wonderful power ballads. I have no intentions at fighting for or against either of these glamorous singers. Kelly, Beyonce, you’re both wonderful.

1. You people do realise if you try to compare songs with just the background music, you dont even get 10% out of the song as a whole. Yes, 90% of the song should be based on lyrics – the lyrics that Kelly Co-Composed and that Tedder wrote for beyonce are significantly and unambiguously different. They portray two diferent tones, they delineate two different meanings, they emphasise different words and moods. So I for one believe that these two songs are not worth complaining about, and there is no one to blame, including Tedder, who legitimately provided the same background track to both of these authors. Legitimately. Why? Because there is no law that two songs cannot have the same background track. This directs me to my next point.

2. Try comparing other songs for sakes. The example im gonna use is Helena by My Chemical Romance and Half-Truism by The Offspring, the former being released 5 years earlier than latter. If you havent, listened to it. The background track is identical (or very similar), except they portray two completely different genres. Do they get sued for it? no. Should KC or Beyonce get sued for it? no. Songs are arts. and an art is a depiction and epitomisation of oneself’s thoughts, exactly portrayed by Kelly Clarkson at how she feels at the time she wrote the song – the lyrics of the song. And im sure Beyonce had a good reason to sing that song at that certain time for her own personal reasons as well.

3. This is a media joke. I’m sorry to put this out to the world, but media plays with us. Why? Thats how they earn money. Popularity. Glory. Fame. In turn they trick us, and in turn they use people like KC and Beyonce. They treat them as if they were products to be sold only to receive $$$. If this so-called “fight” was to continue and media is to continously report about this, i dont think this is a legit fight im sorry. I think this is all planned, even rom when Tedder provided the same background tunes.
On July 28th 2009, Anzu wrote:

That kinda sucks the recrod company did that to you. But hey your beat is like a remix version so your not really copying. At least you have you own words and song.

Love ya Kelly
On July 28th 2009, sinceubeengone27 wrote:

I just found these awesome videos of Kelly Clarkson playing a secret show in NYC. She will always be the BEST American Idol. She played songs like “My Life Would Suck Without You” and “Hazel Eyes.” I wish I knew about this concert and was in the crowd, but these videos definitely make up for it!! Heres the link and enjoy =)
http://www.iheartradio.com/cc-common/ondemand/stripped.html?apid=5784&cmp=ncle_kellyclarkson
On July 29th 2009, Damion wrote:

I don’t understand this controversy at ALL. “Halo” is my favourite single of 2009 so far and Kelly’s “Already Gone” is my favourite song from her latest album…I have listened to both of them time and again and not once have I ever even considered a similarity between the two…what the hell is wrong with people?

And to accuse Kelly of stealing when Ryan Tedder co-wrote both songs (which is exactly why they are both so good?)… Are people really that stupid or desperate for controversy?

Sorry, “Halo” is an exceptional song, but I couldn’t be happier that “Already Gone” is the new Clarkson release. People didn’t put “Halo” to #1…hopefully “Already Gone” will do just that.
On July 29th 2009, Chrystal K. wrote:

The melody and lyrics are obviously different, but the musical composition is very similar.
On August 11th 2009, Natali wrote:

I like Beyonce but I love Kelly. in my opinion Already Gone is the better track but until this issue was brought up, i never really cared or noticed. Media’s fault.
On September 22nd 2009, Me wrote:

Kelly Clarkson was not wrong, but Ryan Tedder!
On November 6th 2009, Tamara Millar wrote:

I personally love Kelly,when I first heard Halo I loved it I’m even using it for our wedding song but I don’t think beonce can sing very well.I heard the song from Kelly Already gone and to me the first thing that popped into my mind was man this sounds like Apologize from One Republic..In no way did I find it sounded like Beonce’s song.