Critical response
Whose performance did Scott Shetler parallel "More grounded" to?
Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)
"Stronger" received critical acclaim from contemporary critics, with many complimenting its sound and Clarkson's vocal performance. Scott Shetler of "PopCrush" gave the song four stars out of five, lauding its strong hook and empowering message. He ended his review by describing the song as "vintage Kelly Clarkson." Jenna Hally Rubenstein of "MTV Buzzworthy" compared it to "Since U Been Gone," which has "a super radio-friendly hook." Elizabeth Lancaster of MTV Newsroom listed it as one of five key tracks in "Stronger," writing "Upbeat yet soulful, the chorus will drag you up and onto the floor to dance the heartache away alongside her." Grady Smith of "Entertainment Weekly" thought that the song's "belty pop/rock wheelhouse" should please fans of the sound. He later added that "Clarkson might have been better off releasing "What Doesn’t Kill You" as the first track from "Stronger."" Another positive reception came from Glenn Gamboa of "Newsday", who praised Clarkson for "infusing her tales of empowerment after a breakup with her unique combo of vulnerability and sass." Jonathan Keefe of "Slant" thought that the song is "tailor-made for radio play" and that "the chilly electro-pop that Greg Kurstin brings to the verses, suggests a top forty version of Robyn's "Call Your Girlfriend" (2010). On March 5, 2013 "Billboard" ranked the song number 2 in its list of "Top 100 American Idol Hits of All Time". In March 2013, the song became the runner-up in an online poll "March Madness" voted by people, losing to "Scream & Shout". Chris Willman of Reuters criticized the lyrics, commenting that "Never mind how tired that tune's titular phrase is. For a laugh, look up the YouTube video in which some wag mashed together a medley of 30 different songs that already borrowed "That which does not kill me makes me stronger" as a lyrical hook." Kevin Ritchie from Now Magazine emphasized that the lyrics are "about as clichéd as a mission statement can get, but it also makes for a solid pop song." Robert Copsey of "Digital Spy" gave the song four stars out of five, writing "The message behind her song may already be a well-worn, almost cliched lesson, but as she continues to prove, there's little shame in coming out with the expected."