"Sober" is a song composed by American pop rock singer Kelly Clarkson, Aben Eubanks, Calamity McEntire, and Jimmy Messer. It was released as the U.S. second single from her third studio album, My December (2007) in the United States. It failed to chart the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, becoming her first single not to do so since "The Trouble With Love Is" (2003).

 

Clarkson confirmed "Sober" as the second single from My December on her journal in the Official Kelly Clarkson Fan Club. The song was released to airwaves on June 6, 2007. Industry experts state that "Sober" is a crucial single for Clarkson, as the lead single for My December, "Never Again", charted well due to strong digital downloads but encountered radio airplay resistance in a number of U.S. markets, especially when compared to the radio success of all five of her singles from her previous album Breakaway.

 

"Never Again" has been descending in radio airplay after failing to break the top 20 on the Pop format, and therefore is one reason why "Sober" is being released so soon after "Never Again" (just over five weeks later, and three weeks before the release of the album). Whether radio accepts "Sober" may be key in determining the sales potential of My December.

 

However, in an interview with Nashville radio station 107.5 The River, Clarkson said that she released "Sober" so early because she wanted to show the diversity of music in My December.

 

In July 2007, "Sober" was a highlight of Clarkson's five-song set at Live Earth at Giants Stadium, with the audience audibly applauding her vocal line during the song's climax near the end. It has also been considered as a fan favorite of the new album.

 

No music video was made for the song.