Kelly Clarkson's 'Stronger': No. 1 single

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Following a well-received national anthem at the most-watched Super Bowl in television history, Kelly Clarksons career is Stronger than ever.

The title track of her latest album climbed atop Billboards Hot 100 today, forcing Adeles Set Fire to the Rain into second place, and became the original American Idols third number one single. (She formerly reached the Hot 100 summit in 2002 with A Moment Like This and in 2009 with My Life Would Suck Without You.)

Kellys not the first diva to get a big Super Bowl boost. When Cher sang the national anthem in 1999, Believe hopped from No. 13 to No. 4 and then hit No. 1 a few weeks later. When Whitney Houston honored the U.S. in 1992, her single All the Man that I Need moved from No. 8 to No. 1 in three short weeks. It took Kelly only three days. Kicking off the biggest event in the sports zeitgeist certainly has its advantages.

But there was more at play here than just a great rendition of the anthem. For starters, Stronger (What Doesnt Kill You) is a terrific song (certainly a more memorable track than lead single Mr. Know It All) that falls right into Kelly Clarksons wheelhouse: poppy post-breakup empowerment anthems. It was destined to climb the chart although probably a bit more slowly if she hadnt opened the Super Bowl and gotten key placement in a! certain Toyota ad

You know the one Im talking about. The Camry ad which has celebrity test-drivers alongside Clarkson belting Stronger when it comes on the radio. The commercial has been running in high rotation for the past month, undoubtedly boosting the songs profile.

Whatever the reason for the songs success, were happy to see Kelly on top of the chart. She and Adele are a welcome antidote to the auto-tuned Ibiza-sonics that can sometimes feel inescapable on the Hot 100.

The Super Bowls other diva performer, Madonna, debuted at a respectable if not stunning number 13 with her single Give Me All Your Luvin, though it should also be noted that preorders on her upcoming MDNA and her greatest-hits collection Celebration both received major post-Bowl boosts on iTunes, taking the no. 1 and no. 3 album spots, respectively.

Are you excited for Kellys latest number one?

More on EW.com:Kelly Clarkson keeps it simple for her Super Bowl performance of the national anthemKelly Clarkson covers Madonnas Crazy for You in concert: Watch here!On the scene: Kelly Clarkson at Radio City Music Hall