Top 10 Most Incredible Kelly Clarkson Covers
#10: "She Used to Be Mine" by Sara Bareilles
Top 10 Kelly Clarkson songs
Fans of the “Waitress” musical know just how heart-wrenching “She Used to Be Mine” is. But even if you’re not familiar with it, it doesn’t take long for its deep power to become evident. Clarkson channels all the meaning it holds in her cover, bringing the story of a woman who’s lost herself to life with steady yet emotional vocals. We’re gripped from the second she starts singing, and she just keeps taking our breath away as the ballad goes on. Of course, the set and dancers further add to that. By the end, we realize we weren’t just given a performance – we were given a touching experience.
#9: "The One That Got Away" by Katy Perry
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The acoustic version of Katy Perry’s “The One That Got Away” is one of her most compelling releases. And in Clarkson’s hands, the ballad is even more captivating. The singer takes her time, letting us really soak up the significance of the lyrics as she immerses herself into the number. Even if you don’t have someone you think of as a lost love, her rendition will make you feel like you do. That’s just how impactful it is. It’s not the only amazing Katy Perry cover Clarkson has cooked up. But it has to be our favorite, and we’re never letting it get away.
#8: "Set Fire to the Rain" by Adele
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Remember that "Rolling in the Deep" Kellyoke? It’s amazing, to put it mildly. We never expected Clarkson to outdo herself with another Adele cover. But she’s done just that with a magnetic take on “Set Fire to the Rain.” The singer embraces the immensity of the power pop ballad in spectacular fashion, never once letting its production outshine her. Let’s not forget that this is an intense track to tackle, and not just from a technical standpoint. After all, it contains a lot of raw emotion. But if there’s one thing Clarkson isn’t going to shy away from, it’s precisely that! To say she has us mesmerized would be an understatement.
#7: "7 Rings" by Ariana Grande
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Sometimes, a cover comes around that stops you dead in your tracks and leaves you speechless. That’s what happened here. This performance has everything you could ask for, from stunning vocals to the perfect amount of attitude. Ariana Grande’s “7 Rings” is complex and incredibly fast-paced in places. Hitting every note, lyric and beat isn’t something anybody can do. Of course, Kelly Clarkson isn’t just anybody – she’s a star who knocks the number out of the park. She’s rap-singing in one instance, and belting the next! We’re out of breath watching her, but it doesn’t seem like she’s breaking a sweat. To say we’re impressed would be an understatement.
#6: "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" by Aretha Franklin
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If you’ve been following Clarkson since her “American Idol” days, you probably remember the time she performed Aretha Franklin’s "Natural Woman." She absolutely killed it, so we were pleasantly surprised to see her sing the tune once more on “The Kelly Clarkson Show.” And, well, this cover is giving the older one a serious run for its money! The singer’s voice and overall style has obviously matured in the years since her time on the competition series. That maturity adds something incredibly special to this rendition, infusing it with a rich energy and passion. There’s no need for bells or whistles – Clarkson’s precise, striking vocals are more than enough.
#5: "9 to 5" by Dolly Parton
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Let’s go back to the beginning and revisit the very first Kellyoke Clarkson treated us to! Part pre-taped segment and part live rendition, this version of Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” is one for the books. She’s selling every word, and has us in the palm of her hand. She honestly could’ve stopped there, but then she wouldn’t be Kelly Clarkson! A few years later, she got Parton herself to join her in singing the country pop hit! Their duet is more fun and fabulous than we could’ve dreamed, with their iconic sounds working incredibly well together. There’s just something about Clarkson singing Dolly Parton songs that always makes us happy.
#4: "Strong Enough" by Cher
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Is there any music icon whose discography Kelly Clarkson can’t slay? We’re pretty sure the answer is no. We’d be remiss not to mention her fierce version of “If I Could Turn Back Time,” which always knocks our socks off. But if we’re talking about Clarkson’s best Cher cover, we have to go with “Strong Enough.” It’s as strong as can be – pun very much intended. She embodies the disco classic, starting off with a slow and affecting delivery, before ramping things up and going all in on the passion. It’s impossible not to lose yourself in the spirited showing. We don’t think we’d be strong enough to live in a world where this Kellyoke doesn’t exist!
#3: “Sisters” by Rosemary Clooney & Trudy Stevens
Kelly Clarkson is very skilled at bringing numbers from movie musicals to life. Who could forget her take on "Hopelessly Devoted to You"? As outstanding as that was, it’s edged out by her cover of “Sisters,” a tune most people recognize from "White Christmas." She joined forces with Jessi Collins – the vocal director and a member of the house band on the talk show – for the duet. Magnificent doesn’t even begin to describe what they accomplish. Everything from the harmonizing, to the storytelling, to the way their voices practically become one has us awe-struck. And don’t even get us started on their outfits, which look like they’re straight out of the 1954 film! The Kellyoke transports us to a grand winter wonderland, and we’re obsessed.
#2: "Alone" by Heart [Originally Released by i-Ten]
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“Alone” is a remarkable ballad that’s been recorded by several groups and artists, including Heart. It’s this band’s version that Clarkson seems to be covering, and there aren’t enough words to describe the sublime job she does. She sings each lyric with so much feeling that we can’t help but want to belt our hearts out alongside her! Not just that, she puts her vocal chops on full display, showing everyone how supremely talented she is (not that there was any doubt)! Plus, she keeps the audience – and those of us watching at home – totally engaged. Perhaps most importantly, she captures the essence of what makes Heart’s version magic while still making the tune her own. That’s the mark of a first-rate cover – and artist.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
"Better Man (Taylor's Version) [From the Vault]" by Taylor Swift [Originally Released by Little Big Town]
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"Call Out My Name" by the Weeknd
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"Falling" by Harry Styles
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"I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)" by Whitney Houston
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"Tennessee Whiskey" by Chris Stapleton [Originally Released by David Allan Coe]
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#1: "Happier Than Ever" by Billie Eilish
This Kellyoke set the bar for all those that would come after, and we’ll never tire of it. Clarkson draws us in with her slow, evocative delivery at the beginning. We then proceed to get chills all over as she adds in the drama and anger the lyrics demand, commanding our attention the whole way through. By the time she hits that final note, we’re completely spellbound. The whole thing is hauntingly beautiful, and more than does the Billie Eilish track justice. Our only complaint is that it isn’t long enough. Thankfully, Clarkson fixed that problem when she gave us a full studio version of the tune on her “Kellyoke” EP. Excuse us while we go listen to both covers on a loop forever!
