Kelly Clarkson has long been admired for her powerhouse vocals and heartfelt songwriting, but her latest single, “Where Have You Been,” takes inspiration from an unexpected source: the hit Hulu comedy Only Murders in the Building. Premiering May 1 on her SiriusXM channel The Kelly Clarkson Connection, the track was sparked by a simple, hilarious line from Martin Short’s character that Clarkson couldn’t get out of her head.
“I wrote this song— I’ve rarely done something like this— but I was watching Only Murders in the Building,” Clarkson explained. “It’s Martin Short’s face. He says to Meryl Streep’s character in the show, ‘Where have you been?’ Like, he’s in awe. And I was like, ‘Has there been— has anyone written a song?’ Because the song is happy, because it’s like, you found something that you thought was almost basically a unicorn and did not exist.”
That sense of joyous discovery pulses through “Where Have You Been,” which celebrates the thrill of finally finding a love once believed to be mythical. The track is playful and buoyant—far from your typical sitcom tie-in—yet perfectly captures the whimsy and wonder of that on-screen moment.
Clarkson’s fondness for Only Murders in the Building runs deep. In January, she revealed on her daytime talk show that she’d love to appear on the series but doubted her “chops” for the role. “I’ve seen the level in that show—I am not a walk-on, so I actually take that back,” she joked, highlighting her respect for the comedy’s talented ensemble.
This connection isn’t new: in June 2023, Clarkson collaborated with Only Murders co-star Steve Martin on her song “I Hate Love” from the album Chemistry. Martin contributed his banjo skills, a collaboration Clarkson enthusiastically recounted during a Los Angeles concert: “I’m a huge Steve Martin fan because I’m alive and breathing. I had this crazy idea… ‘Do you think he’d play on it, because he’s like a b—- musician?’ And he said yes!”
Interestingly, “I Hate Love” draws from another Martin–Streep pairing—the 2009 rom-com It’s Complicated. Clarkson’s lyrics contrast the idealized romance of The Notebook with the more realistic complexities of It’s Complicated:
“I hate love / And ‘The Notebook’ lied / ‘It’s Complicated’ is more like what happens / So you can keep Gosling and I’ll take Steve Martin / I hate love / And all its shine / Not all that glitters is golden / And sometimes love can leave you behind.”
With “Where Have You Been,” Clarkson continues to intertwine pop culture and music, turning a brief, comedic line into an infectious anthem that feels both fresh and familiar. The song’s upbeat production and Clarkson’s exuberant delivery make it a standout addition to her catalog of love’s many twists and turns.
As Only Murders in the Building gears up for its next season, Kelly Clarkson reminds us that inspiration can come from anywhere—even a witty exchange between amateur sleuths. By transforming Martin Short’s simple question into the heart of a vibrant new love song, she once again proves her creative genius knows no bounds.
