In 2015, Kelly Clarkson was crafting her seventh studio album, Piece by Piece . While she loved the original track “Run Run Run,” which was recorded by the German rock band Tokio Hotel for their 2014 album Kings of Suburbia , Clarkson felt the song’s powerful emotional core was incomplete. She believed the poignant lyrics truly “lived” only when they represented an intense emotional conversation between two people, by a second perspective to fully realize the tension and tragedy of the narrative.
Although she later admitted she was unaware that the song had already been released by Tokio Hotel, having received only a piano and vocal demo from one of the track’s writers, her artistic instinct led her to seek a duet partner. The choice was Grammy-winning artist John Legend.
The decision was a matter of instant conviction. Clarkson reached out to Legend while he was on tour, envisioning a transformation from the original’s pop-rock sound to a more profound, Soul/R&B ballad. Legend responded with immediate and enthusiastic approval, replying to her email within ten minutes with, “Oh my God, I’d love to do it. Send me the file!”
The result of their collaboration was a “goosebump-filled” track that showcased the vocal prowess of both artists. Although they recorded their parts remotely—Legend was on tour and unable to be in the studio with Clarkson—their combined voices created a powerful, dark, and soulful energy that defined the track. Clarkson later called Legend “perfect for the song and how I wanted to take it.” Released as part of Piece by Piece in 2015, the duet was met with critical acclaim, with reviewers widely praising the vocal performances and the dramatic, electric dynamic between the two superstars.