The song's accompanying music video was directed by Shane Drake, who also directed "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)" and premiered on May 24, 2012 with positive reviews. It was nominated for a MTV Video Music Award for Best Video with a Message at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards. Clarkson has performed "Dark Side" during several live appearances, most notably during the 2012 Billboard Music Awards and included the song as the opening performance in the set list during the North American leg of her Stronger Tour.
"Dark Side" has received generally positive reviews from music critics who considered the song as a good successor to "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)", Clarkson's previous single. Critics also praised Clarkson's vocal performance blending with the song's melody. It became her second consecutive song to top the Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart.
The music video mainly explores the themes acceptance, with sub-themes of bullying, drug and alcohol addiction also being explored. The video begins with Clarkson singing in a dark background. During the course of the video, scenes depicting people with their struggles in life (such as a man losing his job, a teenage girl struggling with her weight, a teenage boy being harassed and bullied, a girl who ran away, a beauty queen struggling with pressures and drug addiction, a stressed businessman with an addiction to alcohol, a forlorn war veteran, and a wife divorcing her husband) alternate with scenes of Clarkson performing in a black and green dress underneath an abandoned downtown bridge. As the bridge continues, the video then shows several pieces of footage representing hope (such as a blooming flower, a sunrise, a heart drawing, a rosary, a "Hope" signage, butterflies, and seagulls). During the final chorus, the struggling individuals depicted in the video now begin to smile. The video ends with Clarkson hugging them, inspiring assurance and confidence.
The video was generally well received by critics, with some noting its similar theme to the music video for Christina Aguilera's song "Beautiful". Byron Flitsch of MTV Buzzworthy remarked, "We'd be lying if we didn't admit that the video left us feeling a bit melancholy, but we're pretty sure that's its job. That and to remind us that a) that Kelly is looking more flawless than ever, and be nice to every single person in the world." Robbie Daw of Idolator wrote, "The tune keeps with theme of her previous singles 'Mr. Know It All' and 'Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)', in that Clarkson lyrically delves into her own well of inner strength — though she does come across as more vulnerable here. And the video for the clip reflects that." Elena Gorgan of Softpedia noted, "'Dark Side' is simple and somewhat understated, which allows it to include so many 'stories,'(sic) each touching in its own right, each perfect to exemplify the beautiful text of the track." Amy Sciarretto of Popcrush wrote, "Clarkson mixes performance footage with socially conscious commentary and critique. But she doesn’t smash you over the head with a message. She's not soapboxing it. Instead, it's subtle and therefore much more effective, making the viewer think." Later adding, "The video eloquently shows that we all have dark sides, but that’s just one side and not the whole story. It doesn't make up a person's identity. Dark sides are just one of the many factors that make us who we are! No one is perfect and our flaws make us interesting. Clarkson helps us realize that with her smart video. Sarah Maloy of Billboard wrote, "Clarkson tackles demons of sorts in her new video for 'Dark Side.' As the singer showcases people facing drug addiction, alcoholism, unemployment, weight issues and marital problems in 'Dark Side,' Clarkson sings of how better days are to come." The video was nominated in the category for Best Video with a Message at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards however it lost to Demi Lovato's Skyscraper.
Dark Side
Kelly Clarkson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's not pretty there and few have ever gone
If I show it to you now
Will it make you run away
Or will you stay
Even if it hurts
Even if I try to push you outWill you return?
And remind me who I really am
Please remind me who I really am
Everybody's got a dark side
Do you love me?
Can you love mine?
Nobody's a picture perfect
But we're worth it
You know that we're worth it
Will you love me?
Even with my dark side?
Like a diamond
From black dust
It's hard to know
It can become
If you give up
So don't give up on me
Please remind me who I really am
Everybody's got a dark side
Do you love me?
Can you love mine?
Nobody's a picture perfect
But we're worth itYou know that we're worth it
Will you love me?
Even with my dark side?
Don't run away
Don't run away
Just tell me that you will stay
Promise me you will stay
Don't run away
Don't run away
Just promise me you will stay
Promise me you will stay
Will you love me? Ohh
Everybody's got a dark side
Do you love me?
Can you love mine?
Nobody's a picture perfect
But we're worth it
You know that we're worth it
Will you love me?
Even with my dark side?
The lyrics of Kelly Clarkson's song "Dark Side" reflect on the idea that everyone has a hidden, darker side; a part of themselves that they hide from the rest of the world. The first verse begins with an admission that the dark side isn't a pretty place; it's a place that few have gone. The chorus asks the question of whether someone can love the singer, even with their dark side. It's a vulnerable plea for acceptance, with the fear that revealing this part of themselves will make them run away.
The second verse continues with the comparison of a diamond being formed from black dust. It's hard to know what something can become, and the fear of the unknown and the potential loss is palpable. The bridge is a plea for someone to stay, to remind the singer who they really are, which is a sentiment that is repeated throughout the song.
The underlying message of "Dark Side" is one of acceptance and love. No one is perfect, and everyone has parts of themselves that they try to hide. The song is about finding someone who loves you for who you are, dark side and all.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a place that I know
I have a hidden part of me that I'm afraid to reveal
It's not pretty there and few have ever gone
It's a dark and unappealing place that most people avoid
If I show it to you now
If I reveal my true self to you in this moment
Will it make you run away
Will you be scared and leave me?
Or will you stay
Will you stand by me through this?
Even if it hurts
Even if it's difficult or painful
Even if I try to push you out
Even if I attempt to push you away
Will you return?
Will you come back to me?
And remind me who I really am
Help me remember my true self
Please remind me who I really am
I need your help to remember who I truly am
Everybody's got a dark side
Everyone has a hidden part of themselves
Do you love me?
Do you truly love all of me?
Can you love mine?
Can you love my dark side?
Nobody's a picture perfect
No one is flawless
But we're worth it
Despite our flaws, we deserve love and respect
You know that we're worth it
We both know that we deserve each other's love and care
Don't run away
Please don't leave me
Just tell me that you will stay
Reassure me that you'll stick around despite my dark side
Promise me you will stay
Make a commitment to be there for me
Will you love me?
Do you truly love me for who I am?
Even with my dark side?
Can you love me despite my imperfections and flaws?
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ALEXANDER GERINGAS, MICHAEL BUSBEE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@theharshtruthoutthere
Behind their "cool sounding music" lies list of sick and evil rituals, the all must do in order to have their time in the spotlight. For there is A PRICE to everything, including the rich and famous lives on this earth.
Mark 1:13
And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.
Hebrews 2:18
For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
Hebrews 4:15
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Luke 4:2
Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.
Matthew 4:10
Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
James 4:7 - Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
2 Corinthians 2:11
Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
1 Thessalonians 3:5
For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.
The same way Christ was tempted, so are all humans also tempted:
“Bow down to lucifer and all the earthly riches he will give to you” – and that's how we got our human entertainers (singers, actors, influencers), they were tempted with the “cool lives to live on earth” and they fell for it. The Blood Contract – as they all call it, and at the end of it, the biggest price to pay.
Why did they fell? - because mankind is no longer raised up with the truth and in the truth.
Proverbs 22:6 - Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Sadly we do the opposite with the younger generations and train them up all the ways they should not go. Leaving them in danger of getting tempted by satan and without the Armour of GOD.
Ephesians 6:11 - Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
@통영가람피싱
- ♬Lyrics♬ -
Theres a place that I know
Its not pretty there and few have ever gone
If I show it to you now
Will it make you run away
Or will you stay
Even if it hurts
Even if I try to push you out
Will you return?
And remind me who I really am
Please remind me who I really am
Everybodys got a dark side
Do you love me?
Can you love mine?
Nobodys a picture perfect
But we're worth it
You know that we're worth it
Will you love me?
Even with my dark side?
Like a diamond
From black dust
Its hard to know
what can become
if you give up
So dont give up on me
Please remind me who I really am
Everybodys got a dark side
Do you love me?
Can you love mine?
Nobodys a picture perfect
But were worth it
You know that were worth it
Will you love me?
Even with my dark side?
Dont run away
Dont run away
Just tell me that you will stay
Promise me you will stay
Dont run away
Dont run away
Just promise me you will stay
Promise me you will stay
Will you love me? ohh
Everybodys got a dark side
Do you love me?
Can you love mine?
Nobodys a picture perfect
But were worth it
You know that were worth it
Will you love me?
Even with my dark side?
@Deadlyrose67
Gerald Levina because at least you (and a few others) know you didn't do it.
Don't let others drag you down, keep your head up. They can only speak against you, for without you doing it yourself they have no proof.
EVERYONE 'sins'. Even the people you think could never do any wrong.
Be good for you. No one else. You don't need anyone elses approval. The ONLY person you need to be better than is who you were yesterday.
You aren't alone either. Trust me I know exactly what you are saying. I taught myself to not give a shit and do what I want, not what everyone else does.
Not go against what they want, that's not the point. Chose your own path, only you can make your choices, even if you don't think that.
@caitlinreedy4391
Kelly Clarkson is such an amazing singer, not just because of her voice, which alone is fantastic but because she pours her soul into what she sings. She has the strength to be vulnerable in front of millions of people and that takes guts! What she sings is honest, sometimes brutally so, but always in a healing and redemptive way. I love Kelly Clarkson.
@NathanHampton
I 100% agree. It was actually her amazing personality that got me into her music after she was on American Idol advising the contestants a year or two ago. Now, she's my favorite artist.
@amyanything7092
Agreed.
@ChristinaTaft
I wish Kelly Clarkson would GO BACK TO THESE DAYS!! This is SUCH good, deep music and lyrics. I HATE Meaning of Life and chewed out by fans for that... her voice changed, her music changed, etc.
@stapleyourfacebackon
Me too
@shonedwards1650
One of the best comments Caitlin. For me this song is new and so incredible. This is me all over.
@nataliapaliza5407
I think this song is so underrated :(
@wahteklim3688
I agree with you.
@nataliapaliza5407
is just that this song deserves a lot more of attention and appreciation. I have nothing against today's music but I wish Kelly's songs were more appreciated.
@laughdamnhard
+Natalia Snow you are right, it's so beautiful...