Clarkson defined "If I Can't Have You", a dance and synthpop song, as "very like Eurythmics meets The Killers" in a sexy vibe, while "I Want You" was labeled a "pure pop", "girl group" song, with vocal stutters, fluid harps, and a dry kick-drum beat. The album's title track and "Whyyawannabringmedown" are two covers from the band Aranda's debut album; the first was considered a soul-rock-funk song, with its disco bass heavily compared to Spoon's song "I Turn My Camera On", while the latter was named a "bubblegum punk" song. The power ballad "Save You" was written by Aimée Proal with Ryan Tedder for her now-disbanded group Gone 'Til November, who recorded its demo and Tedder pitched the song to Clarkson's label. It features an experimental bridge that was inspired by Mozart. "If No One Will Listen" is a cover of Keri Noble's song from her debut album "Fearless", "Cry" was defined by Clarkson as a "waltz" ballad influenced by country music, and "Already Gone" was considered a "kick drum-driven" ballad and it was largely compared to Beyoncé's "Halo"; both produced by Tedder. "Impossible" was called a "piano-riddled rocker", while "Ready" was named a "breezy, carefree pop" song. Lyrically, "All I Ever Wanted" talks generally about romantic relationships— the good, the bad and the dysfunctional —with Clarkson defining it as "pretty personal". Ann Powers of "Los Angeles Times" noted that the album "provides her faithful female fans with a solid group of anthems and introspective moments expressing dignity, independence and emotional truthfulness." "My Life Would Suck Without You" "describes two people who've committed to each other even though their relationship has some rough edges", while "I Do Not Hook Up" has Clarkson informing "would-be suitors that [she]'s looking for a lasting commitment, not a casual fling." "Cry" talks about betrayal, with the singer writing about a friendship that went wrong, while wondering, "Is it over yet? Can I open my eyes?," meanwhile "Don't Let Me Stop You" has Clarkson "demonstrat[ing] self-respect and emotional resiliency even when things aren't working out."