The Real Meaning Behind Kelly Clarkson's Christmas Isn't Canceled (Just You)

Kelly Clarkson is coming for Mariah Carey's "Queen of Christmas" title after announcing she's releasing a brand new Christmas album called "When Christmas Comes Around" on October 15. According to Rolling Stone, the album will include both new tracks and old favorites and features collaborations with Chris Stapleton, Brett Eldredge, and her "The Voice" co-star Ariana Grande. It will follow her previously-released holiday record, "Wrapped in Red."

On September 15, Clarkson announced the album's first single, writing via Instagram, "Y'all know I'm obsessed with Christmas!!! That's why I'm so excited to announce my new single 'Christmas Isn't Canceled (Just You)' is coming out September 23rd!!"

This holiday season will mark Clarkson's second without her estranged husband Brandon Blackstock. The "American Idol" alum filed for divorce in June 2020, citing "irreconcilable differences" (per Entertainment Tonight) and they've been involved in a messy legal battle ever since. However, based on the lyrics in "Christmas Isn't Canceled (Just You)," it doesn't seem like Clarkson's letting her breakup get in the way of her Christmas spirit. Scroll ahead to learn the real meaning behind the catchy new holiday tune, including all the references to the singer's ex.

Kelly Clarkson's "Christmas Isn't Canceled (Just You)" lyrics are filled with references to past Christmas songs she's released, including many she wrote about her ex Brandon Blackstock. 

In the very first verse of the track, she sings, "Like a winter dream and I bet/ I wasn't the first, and I won't be the last," which Genius notes is a nod to the love song "Winter Dreams (Brandon's Song)". Then, in the pre-chorus, Clarkson sings, "You ruined all my favorite things, another reference to her cover of "My Favorite Things" — from the musical "The Sound of Music" — which was featured on her first Christmas album. Later on in "Christmas Isn't Canceled (Just You)," the singer adds: "But I'm not feelin' incomplete / Turns out I don't need a thing underneath my tree," which again is a direct reference to Clarkson's hit "Underneath The Tree," in which she expresses gratitude for Blackstock during the holidays.

Ultimately, the track seemingly serves as a declaration that Clarkson will be just fine by herself this Christmas — and the lyrics make that very clear. "I'll be ringin' in the New Year with all my friends/ Kissin' goodbye to what might've been," she sings. "This year New Year's, I won't be your fool/ And I bet you see me out wonderin' what's wrong/ Watchin' me have fun with you gone/ New Year's isn't canceled/ Christmas isn't canceled/ Just you." Hey, they don't call her "Miss Independent" for nothing! 

While promoting "Christmas Isn't Canceled (Just You)," Kelly Clarkson revealed what inspired her to choose its title. "My purpose for choosing this lyric for being the title of this project was to bring forth a sense of reality to the fact that we are probably all in very different places emotionally 'when Christmas comes around,'" she said in a press release (per Billboard). "Some of us consumed with a new love, some of us reminded of loss, some filled with optimism for the coming new year, others elated for some much deserved time away from the chaos our work lives can sometimes bring us."

The singer added that she wanted to let her fans know that "wherever they are" and "whatever they may be experiencing," they're not alone. She said that her songs — and Christmas songs — may have a different meaning for the listener every year, that's something to celebrate. As Clarkson said, "...while change can be unpredictable there is no better time of year, in my opinion, to breathe hope into one's life and let possibility wander."