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11 Best Covers Songs Kelly Clarkson Slayed - Ranked
The Texas girl who won our hearts as the original American Idol has proved time and time again that she not only deserved that title but that she's a contender for one of the best voices in the business today. She sings pop, rock, jazz, blues, country, even showtunes... There's really nothing Kelly can't do.
One of the treats of each of her concerts involves Kelly picking a song to cover from fan suggestions. Most recently she slayed Prince's "Purple Rain," a song she performed in Prince's hometown of Minneapolis, but she's crushed many a cover in her day, and here we pay homage to a few of her best.
11. "Lose Yourself" - Eminem
Kelly covers Eminem. Now that shows range.
10. "Perfect" - Pink
The only thing that would be better than Kelly covering Pink, is Kelly singing with Pink. Who is going to make that duet happen?
9. "We Found Love" - Rihanna and Calvin Harris
We found ourselves in love with Kelly singing this gorgeous pop tune.
8. "Wrecking Ball" - Miley Cyrus
Kelly crushed Miley's mega-hit, so much so that it went viral just a few days ago. We love that the audience loves it but maybe Kelly will sing this one in a studio too so that we can really hear just her!
7. "Cry Me a River" - Justin Timberlake
Kelly slays this Justin classic. That is all.
6. "When You Believe" - Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey
Kelly shared the stage with fellow American Idol season one alumna Tamyra Gray (the only other one who could hold a candle to Kelly's talent -- in out not-so humble opinion) for this tribute to Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey's song from "The Prince of Egypt," and it's epic.
5. "Girl Crush" - Little Big Town
For so many years so many girls wished that Kelly truly had a "Girl Crush," but since that didn't work out, at least we got this killer version of the song.
4. "Give Me One Reason" - Tracy Chapman
Remember we mentioned Kelly's blues chops? Wow! Does she ever pay homage to the amazing Tracy Chapman with this faithful interpretation of her hit song.
3. "Purple Rain" - Prince
Not many attempt to cover Prince, because he's, well, FUCKING Prince! But Kelly did it, and she crushed it.
2. "My Country Tis of Thee" Samuel Francis Smith and Thomas Arne
To quote Michael K. of DListed, Kelly "sang the skin off her tonsils off" with this public domain song at President Obama's second inauguration. Your mind will be blown by this vocal feat outside on freezing January day.
1. "Cryin" - Aerosmith
The pinnacle of Kelly's covers and one of her earliest. It put her on the map as a young woman with superior vocal prowess who can pretty much sing the telephone book and make it sound like heaven.
Tracy E. Gilchrist is the VP, Executive Producer of Entertainment for the Advocate Channel. A media veteran, she writes about the intersections of LGBTQ+ equality and pop culture. Previously, she was the editor-in-chief of The Advocate and the first feminism editor for the 55-year-old brand. In 2017, she launched the company's first podcast, The Advocates. She is an experienced broadcast interviewer, panel moderator, and public speaker who has delivered her talk, "Pandora's Box to Pose: Game-changing Visibility in Film and TV," at universities throughout the country.
Tracy E. Gilchrist is the VP, Executive Producer of Entertainment for the Advocate Channel. A media veteran, she writes about the intersections of LGBTQ+ equality and pop culture. Previously, she was the editor-in-chief of The Advocate and the first feminism editor for the 55-year-old brand. In 2017, she launched the company's first podcast, The Advocates. She is an experienced broadcast interviewer, panel moderator, and public speaker who has delivered her talk, "Pandora's Box to Pose: Game-changing Visibility in Film and TV," at universities throughout the country.
