Love the song #1: Stronger - Kelly Clarkson

Kelly Clarkson in a video dance scene for 'Stronger'. Guitarist Cory Churko is just over her shoulder

This is the first in an occasional series where I'll highlight a song that particularly inspires, uplifts or simply grabs me. The tunes will appear in no particular order.

First up is Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You) by Kelly Clarkson. Although it was released five years ago, I only recently came across it for the first time when, by chance, I heard a snippet of it being played as incidental background music.

Kelly Clarkson was the first winner of the American Idol TV talent show in 2002, and despite some obstacles along the way she went on to forge herself a very successful career,

Stronger is an infectious, rock-anthem whirlwind. Clarkson's vocal delivery captures the empowering essence of the song's theme. Yes, the lyrics don't go deep, but then they don't have to. The message is simple, pretty much universally understood, and delivered with a stomping, punchy verve.

The song features some great guitar playing by Cory Churko, who is a mainstay of Clarkson's band and is also a key figure in Shania Twain's current backing band. Churko can be seen in the official video, both as a member of the band and in the flash mob dance scene led by Clarkson.

The video is as uplifting and fun as the song, with some great choreography for the aforementioned flash mob dance scene, which includes a few light-hearted kung fu fighting moves from Clarkson. The video is interspersed with clips submitted by fans doing their own dance interpretations of the song. Both as a song and video, Stronger is a feel-good wonder.

Here is the video: