Kelly Clarkson [FOX]
Kelly Clarkson’s emotional “American Idol” performance has already produced a monstrous sales boost for “Piece By Piece”. More than three days have passed since what was the most powerful “Idol” performance in years, and the album version is still #1 on iTunes.
Clarkson and RCA are hoping that the exposure will result in more than a mere sales boost for the original album cut. In addition to an iTunes launch, RCA Records has serviced a newly recorded “Idol version” (see: ballad version) to pop, hot adult contemporary, and adult contemporary radio.
A previously promoted “radio mix” garnered a lukewarm reception from hot adult contemporary programmers; it peaked just inside the Top 30 on the Mediabase airplay chart this past January. It was not even promoted to pop.
Whether RCA decides to go all-in on a renewed push — and whether programmers are receptive to such a push — remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that Clarkson’s epic performance made the music world take notice of the title track from her 2015 album.