Kelly Clarkson surprised fans with the early release of her new single “Where Have You Been” on her SiriusXM channel, The Kelly Clarkson Connection. From chart-topping hits like “Since U Been Gone” to emotional ballads like “Because of You,” Clarkson has built a career out of songs that connect deeply.
The song, which was officially released last Friday, brings something new to Clarkson’s discography. “Where Have You Been” captures the feeling of stumbling into an unexpected kind of happiness, one that feels almost too good to be true. With upbeat instrumentals and an emotional pull, the track tells the story of love showing up when it’s least expected.
Kelly Clarkson got her inspiration from a show for her new song, ‘Where Have You Been’
@kellyclarksonshow Thank you Martin Short & Meryl Streep 🥰 ‘Where Have You Been’ by @kellyclarkson & Jaco out NOW! #kellyclarkson #omitb #newmusic ♬ original sound – Kelly Clarkson Show
Clarkson revealed that the song took shape after she watched a particular moment in Only Murders in the Building, the Hulu series starring Martin Short and Meryl Streep. In the third season, the relationship between their characters, Oliver Putnam and Loretta Durkin, stood out to her.
She was moved by how the show portrayed love as something rare and wonderful. That scene inspired her to capture that joy and awe in a song. “Where Have You Been” is a break from her usual emotional ballads and explores a lighter, more hopeful kind of story.
Kelly Clarkson is a big fan of the show, too!
Clarkson’s connection to the Hulu series goes beyond just one scene. She’s been an open fan of Only Murders in the Building for a while, even expressing interest in making a guest appearance. Her admiration for the show also led to a surprising musical collaboration. In her 2023 album Chemistry, she invited Martin Short, who plays Oliver on the show, to contribute his banjo playing to one of the tracks.
That song, “I Hate Love,” even references one of Short’s past films, It’s Complicated, a romantic comedy he starred in with Meryl Streep. The lyrics poke fun at the romantic ideals seen in Hollywood films and instead lean into more realistic views of love.