Breakaway is a power ballad by American singer Kelly Clarkson, released on July 19, 2004 as the first single from The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement Original Soundtrack and later included on Clarkson’s Breakaway album (2004). It was written by Avril Lavigne, Matthew Gerrard and Bridget Benenate, originally intended for Lavigne’s debut Let Go before Clarkson recorded it. The song blends folk-pop and pop-punk, runs 3 minutes 57 seconds, and is in the key of C major with a tempo of about 160 BPM; its lyrics tell the story of a girl leaving a small town to pursue her dreams. It achieved international chart success, peaking at number six on the US Billboard Hot 100 and spending 21 weeks at number one on the US Adult Contemporary chart. The accompanying music video, directed by Dave Meyers, follows Clarkson from a hometown girl to an international star, intercut with scenes from The Princess Diaries 2. In 2022 Avril Lavigne released a new version of Breakaway for the 20th anniversary edition of Let Go.
