"Nostalgic"
Song by Kelly Clarkson
from the album Piece by Piece
Released2015
Recorded2013
Genre
Length3:37
LabelRCA
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Jason Halbert

"Nostalgic" is a song by American recording artist Kelly Clarkson from her seventh studio album, Piece by Piece (2015). Produced by former DC Talk member Jason Halbert, the song was written by artists who also have been members of various rock bands: Semi Precious Weapons lead singer Justin Tranter, former Cobra Starship lead guitarist Ryland Blackinton, Young Love lead singer Dan Keyes, and Oliver duo member Vaughn Oliver. A synth electro rock song, it sings of remembering nostalgia of a failed relationship, which was mainly based on Tranter's and Keyes's real life experiences. The record mainly features synthesizer sounds that were prominently popular during the 1980s as well as string arrangements by Joseph Trapanese and guitars by Tim Pierce. Upon the release of Piece by Piece, "Nostalgic" has received a very positive response from music critics, who lauded the track as one of the album's highlights and complimented the 1980s nostalgia evoked from the song.

Background and composition

The lyrics of "Nostalgic" was mainly based from Justin Tranter (pictured) and Dan Keyes's life experiences.[1]

In 2012, Tranter relocated from New York City to Los Angeles after while completing the release of Semi Precious Weapons' third studio album, Aviation.[1] While finding a record label to release their album, Tranter signed a publishing deal with Warner/Chappell Music to write material for other artists.[1] Aviation was finally released in 2014, and Tranter met with Ryland Blackinton, Dan Keyes and Vaughn Oliver for a writing session in Silver Lake, Los Angeles.[1]

Musically, "Nostalgic" is a synth electro rock song,[2][3] with music critics comparing it sonically to the 1980s sounds of the musical acts Phoenix, Roxette, and Tegan and Sara.[3][4][5] According to the sheet music published by Hal Leonard Corporation, "Nostalgic" is written in the key of F major with a moderate tempo.[6] Lyrically, it sings of someone reminiscing both the good and bad moments of a failed relationship, during which the singer becomes nostalgic while finally acknowledging its culmination.[1] The song is based primarily on Tranter's and Keyes's past relationships,[1] with Tranter himself coming up with an idea of a song titled "Nostalgic", coming up with the main lyric "Even though we lost it, I still get nostalgic."[1] Tranter sang the demo of the track and sent it to Clarkson who recorded it with Halbert in 2013.[1][7] Upon hearing Clarkson's final version of the track, Tranter revealed that he was overwhelmed. He remarked, "having listened to my demo for over a year and then going to New York, where I used to live, and hearing (Clarkson's) version in the RCA offices. I was a total loser—I started crying in this meeting with all these executives. I was like, 'I can't believe this is my life, I'm so happy.'"[1]

Critical reception

"Nostalgic" (2015)
Justin Tranter came up with lyric "Even though we lost it, I still get nostalgic" and the song's '80s sound to evoke a nostalgic atmosphere.[1]
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"Nostalgic" has received a very positive response from various music critics, most of them complimenting the 1980s nostalgia evoked from the song. Editors of Entertainment Weekly included it as one of their "16 songs we're loving this spring" list, citing that Clarkson's lost-love anthem, which is tinged with shimmering synths and the most ladylike of power chords, is potent even if one is only "nostalgic" for Lisa Frank stickers and Day-Glo fanny packs.[8] Reviewing for The A.V. Club, Annie Zaleski remarked that Clarkson's voice cracks with bluesy grit of the track, and commended that as one of the loose moments that energizes the album.[3] In his review for The Dallas Morning News's Guide Live section, music critic Hunter Hauk wrote that "Nostalgic" amounts to a perfect pop confection.[5] Reviewing Piece by Piece for Idolator, Jonathan Riggs complimented the song as a "sister-in-song" of "Stronger" (2011).[9] The Plain Dealer's Troy L. Smith praised "Nostalgic" as fantastic as it takes the listener on a trip back to the 1980s.[10] In both their interviews with Clarkson, Official Charts Company's editor Rob Cobsey and Glamour's Alyse Whitney extolled it as a great song, with Cobsey also endorsing it to her as a prospective single.[11][12] Jason Scott of Popdust.com praised it as the most adventurous of all the album's tracks.[13] Chuck Arnold of Rolling Stone also complimented Clarkson's vocals over the synth strut the track, along with its 1980s homage.[2] However, Slant Magazine's Alexa Camp was indifferent to the song, saying that the songs that should ostensibly inspire nostalgia instead feel like they just rolled off a conveyor belt.[14]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the Piece by Piece liner notes and "Nostalgic" metadata.[15][16]

Recording

Personnel

Charts

Chart (2015) Peak
position
South Korea International Downloads (Gaon)[17] 67

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Moran, Justin (March 13, 2015). "Hitmaker Justin Tranter on Writing for Fall Out Boy, Kelly Clarkson and Fifth Harmony". Bullett Media. Archived from the original on March 15, 2015. Retrieved April 6, 2015.
  2. ^ a b Arnold, Chuck (March 3, 2015). "Kelly Clarkson's New Album: 'Piece by Piece'". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Archived from the original on March 7, 2015. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  3. ^ a b c Zaleski, Annie (March 3, 2015). "Review: Kelly Clarkson's usual spunk and self-empowerment can't rescue Piece By Piece". The A.V. Club. The Onion Inc. Archived from the original on March 7, 2015. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  4. ^ Cragg, Michael (March 1, 2015). "Kelly Clarkson: Piece By Piece review – laser-guided, heartfelt pop". The Observer. Archived from the original on March 7, 2015. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  5. ^ a b Hauk, Hunter (March 2, 2015). "Kelly Clarkson's 'Piece by Piece' LP reviewed track by track". The Dallas Morning News. A. H. Belo Corporation. Retrieved June 28, 2015.
  6. ^ Kelly Clarkson – Piece by Piece (Piano/Vocal/Guitar Artist Songbook). Hal Leonard Corporation. June 2015. ISBN 9781495022173.
  7. ^ Halbert, Jason (February 3, 2015). "This will finally be heard! #nostalgic : RP "Recording a vocal in the dressing room you wont believe."". Twitter. Retrieved June 28, 2015.
  8. ^ "16 songs we're loving this spring". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. April 9, 2015. Retrieved June 28, 2015.
  9. ^ Riggs, Jonathan (March 3, 2015). "Kelly Clarkson's 'Piece By Piece': Album Review". Idolator. SpinMedia. Archived from the original on March 7, 2015. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
  10. ^ Smith, Troy L. (March 3, 2015). "Kelly Clarkson emphasizes her strengths on 'Piece by Piece' (album review)". Cleveland.com. Advance Digital/Northeast Ohio Media Group. Retrieved June 28, 2015.
  11. ^ Cospey, Rob (March 3, 2015). "Kelly Clarkson interview: "I now have the freedom to do whatever I want"". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 28, 2015.
  12. ^ Whitney, Alyse (March 10, 2015). "Kelly Clarkson Reveals the Emotional Stories Behind Piece by Piece, Plus Her Big Plans for Beyonce and Taylor Swift Covers". Glamour. Condé Nast. Retrieved June 28, 2015.
  13. ^ Scott, Jason (March 1, 2015). "Kelly Clarkson Reinvents Herself 'Piece By Piece' — Album Review". Popdust.com. Popdust.com, Inc. Retrieved June 28, 2015.
  14. ^ Camp, Alexa (February 25, 2015). "Kelly Clarkson: Piece by Piece". Slant Magazine. Archived from the original on March 6, 2015. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
  15. ^ Piece By Piece (booklet). Kelly Clarkson. 19 Recordings Limited under exclusive license to RCA Records. 2015. 88875070852.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  16. ^ "Nostalgic" (metadata). Kelly Clarkson. 19 Recordings Limited under exclusive license to RCA Records. 2015. GBCTA1500012.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  17. ^ "2015년 11주차 Download Chart" (in Korean). Gaon. March 7, 2015. Retrieved November 26, 2015.
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