RCA Records serviced the song to mainstream radio in the United States on April 24, 2007 as the lead single from the album, coinciding with Clarkson's 25th birthday.

The song fared well in international as well as domestic markets, but failed to mimic the success of her previous lead singles.

It peaked at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

It portrays Clarkson being drowned in a bathtub and in various scenes acting as a ghost, haunting her ex-boyfriend following the end of their relationship.

"[2] It was almost removed from My December's track listing, but Clarkson found to be fitting as the album's opener, stating "it's a fun song, and that's why we kept it.

[3] "Never Again" consists of ringing guitar riffs, faux-strings, Queens of the Stone Age-style drums, and sharp vocals.

Clarkson, in an interview with MTV, has cited Alanis Morissette's 1995 single "You Oughta Know" and Pat Benatar as influences for the record.

[8] Sarah Rodman of The Boston Globe comments that the song "comes much closer, pleasingly so, to the polished angst and power chords of Alanis Morissette and Pat Benatar than it does to, say, "Gimme Shelter" or "Nebraska.

[10] Chris Willman, a writer for Entertainment Weekly, comments "There was subversive fun to be had in witnessing America's sweetheart using 'Never Again,' the he-done-me-wrong first single, to reinvent herself as a banshee (wishing gangrene on an enemy, no less).

"[11] Spence D. of IGN praised the song as an intriguing departure for Clarkson, writing that "she's kicking out the verbals with gusto.

Freedom du Lac, a writer for The Washington Post, commented on the song's poor performance on the charts compared to singles off of Breakaway, writing that it lacks a memorable melody.

"[14] Tony Heywood of musicOMH labeled it as "A smart mini pop metal explosion of angst and rage.

In Australia, the song entered the Australian Singles Chart on June 10, 2007, at number five, where it peaked, and lasted with the top 10 for seven weeks after.

[26] It ended up on the Year-End Chart at number 40 and was certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) for sales of 35,000 units.

[20][30] The music video, directed by Joseph Kahn, was shot in Los Angeles at the Staples Center from April 11 to 13, 2007.

Clarkson said the video was similar to the 2000 film What Lies Beneath because, as she put it, "You don't know if he killed me or if he's just being haunted by his conscience.