Because of you/
I never stray too far from the sidewalk.
In “Because of You” Kelly Clarkson writes about how parent’s mistakes and bad parenting can filter down to their kids. Her parents had fears and now she has those same irrational fears—and she can’t help them. This is why psychotherapy is multibillion-dollar business. This is a great song for all new and potential parents to listen to: look how much you can mess up your child. And this is screw-up is rather mild.
“Because of You” is at its best when Clarkson is singing softly. If you have ever watched her or similar judges during The Voice one thing they constantly advise the contestants to do is to “have at least one moment”. What they are saying is that you must have one of those crazy vocal runs or the silly audience won’t be able to understand that you are singing with feeling.
Nonsense. Listen to Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, Roberta Flack, Dusty Springfield…or singers who do use the occasional vocal run, but use it sparingly: Sara Bareilles, Adele, Stevie Nicks.
That being said, this is still a nice song with a good melody, interesting story and above average vocals.
Because of You Lyrics
I will not make
The same mistakes that you did
I will not let myself
Cause my heart so much misery
I will not break
The way you did, you fell so hard
I’ve learned the hard way
To never let it get that far
Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side so I don’t get hurt
Because of you
I find it hard to trust not only me, but everyone around me
Because of you
I am afraid
I lose my way
And it’s not too long before you point it out
I cannot cry
Because I know that’s weakness in your eyes
I’m forced to fake
A smile, a laugh everyday of my life
My heart can’t possibly break
When it wasn’t even whole to start with
Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side so I don’t get hurt
Because of you
I find it hard to trust not only me, but everyone around me
Because of you
I am afraid
I watched you die
I heard you cry every night in your sleep
I was so young
You should have known
Better than to lean on me
You never thought of anyone else
You just saw your pain
And now I cry in the middle of the night
For the same damn thing
Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side so I don’t get hurt
Because of you
I try my hardest just to forget everything
Because of you
I don’t know how to let anyone else in
Because of you
I’m ashamed of my life
Because it’s empty
Because of you
I am afraid
Because of you
Because of you
Songwriters: Kelly Brianne Clarkson / Ben Moody / David Hall Hodges