Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Kelly Clarkson Renders Stunning Cover Versions During Her 2019 Meaning of Life Tour

by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

Kelly Clarkson’s 2019 Meaning of Life arena tour was definitely a stand-out from all the country singer’s past tours. Aside from performing the original tracks from her same-titled 2018 album, she decided to do a unique spin by covering all the artists that inspired her to make music and some newly released songs that kept her going. In an interview with the French-British magazine Marie Claire, she said, “It’s really about inspiration this year. My point with that is that I’m going to be covering songs that I probably shouldn’t, but I’m going to do it anyway!” 

The tour opened on January 24th at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California, and ran for 26 more dates before it concluded on March 30th at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina. Team Kelly members Kelsea Ballerini and Bryan Cartelli performed as the tour’s openers. 

“The Joke”

Despite Kelly Clarkson‘s fears, she killed every song cover she did on stage, including Brandi Carlile‘s Grammy-winning hit anthem for the ‘under-represented, unloved, or illegal’ titled “The Joke.” She pulled out her heart-stomping rendition in Detroit, Michigan at Little Caesars Arena on February 21. 

Standing barefoot behind the microphone, Clarkson said, “I hope I do it justice, Brandi” before delivering a stunning, tender intro. The singer’s smoky voice rose up over the sound of the spare keyboard and blended seamlessly with the jazzy arrangement. And then her hands gripped the microphone stand as if her life depended on it as she hit the series of high notes. When it finally ended, Clarkson gushed over the well-written song. 

And all the while, the audience was left stunned by her performance. 

Though of course, there were a few fans who just had to comment negatively on anything. One Twitter user by the name of Fran accused the singer of jumping on bandwagon. And Kelly didn’t back down from clapping back and replied that if Fran had done a little research before taking a jab, then she would know that she had been covering Carlile’s song for years. In fact, a quick google search revealed that Clarkson covered “Turpentine” back in 2012.

“In My Blood”

After Brandi Carlile, Kelly Clarkson went on to pay tribute to fellow music superstar Shawn Mendes with a cover of his massive hit “In My Blood.” Before she started the song, the singer confessed something to the crowd at the Allstate Arena. She told them that every time that song came on the radio in the car, she would just wail. And she knew she should be embarrassed by what was happening, but she wasn’t at all. 

Well, to be honest, we don’t think Kelly’s alone on this one. The song just got that vibe that needed a full expression of feelings. 

And then after the performance, Clarkson praised Mendes for the song and also remarked how she had previously met him at the Grammy Awards and how sweet and adorable he was, just like she thought he would be. 

Check out Kelly Clarkson’s covers of the songs in the videos below. 

Latest Stories

Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton perform together in a bar setting for their duet “A Song to Sing.

Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton’s “A Song to Sing” Duet Feels Like an Instant Classic

Sometimes country music gives you a line so pure it feels like it’s been here forever, and that’s exactly what Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton just pulled off with “A ...

Blake Shelton and Noah Cyrus standing side by side with microphones, performing their new country duet together.

Noah Cyrus Teams Up With Blake Shelton for New Country Duet and Fans Are Loving It

Sometimes country music needs a little shot of something wild, and Noah Cyrus just poured it straight into Blake Shelton’s glass. It’s not every day you see the Voice coach ...

George Strait performing on stage with his guitar and cowboy hat, pictured at a previous event not related to the upcoming Strait From the Heart benefit concert.

George Strait Will Play “Strait to the Heart” Benefit Concert to Raise Money for Flood Victims

Some kings wear crowns, some kings wear boots, and show up when the water’s rising. George Strait, the King of Country himself, is stepping up once again for the people ...

Blake Shelton smiles on stage with guitar and mic during Vegas show, putting his own spin on George Strait’s classic.

Blake Shelton Nails George Strait Classic With His Own Spin on “All My Ex’s Live in Texas”

Sometimes you don’t mess with a George Strait classic, unless you’re Blake Shelton standing under the Vegas lights with a grin that says you’re about to pay tribute and stir ...

Dolly Parton smiles during Khloé podcast interview, sitting by mic and lamp as she shares why she won't stop sharing faith.

Dolly Parton Says People Tell Her To Stop Talking About Her Faith But She Won’t Listen

If there’s one thing you can count on Dolly Parton for, it’s that she’ll say exactly what’s on her heart and not give a single rhinestone what anyone thinks. In ...

Little Mississippi boy in plaid shirt smiles at mic during preschool graduation where he recited New Testament books and sang a George Strait classic.

4-Year-Old Boy Recites New Testament Books Then Belts Out ‘All My Ex’s Live in Texas’

If there’s ever been a preschool graduation that screams “God bless the South,” this is it. Somewhere in Mississippi, a four-year-old kid just made the entire congregation beam with pride ...

Young George Strait smiling on stage playing guitar in 1987 when “All My Ex’s Live in Texas” hit No. 1 and proved he ran country.

On This Day in 1987, George Strait Hit No. 1 with ‘All My Ex’s Live in Texas’ and Proved He Ran Country

Sometimes a song just cements your throne forever, and for George Strait, it was a little tongue-in-cheek love letter that made every Texan proud to claim him as their king. ...

Scotty McCreery with his wife and both grandmothers, who he revealed passed away hours apart in a heartbreaking double loss.

Scotty McCreery Reveals Both His Grandmothers Died Hours Apart in Heartbreaking Double Loss

You just don’t see some country heartbreaks coming, and this one hit Scotty McCreery straight in the soul. This week, the North Carolina native and Opry favorite shared the gut-wrenching ...

Brooks & Dunn performing on stage together, fitting their story about admitting they struggled to get along for years.

Brooks and Dunn Admit They Struggled to Get Along for Years and Tried to Blow It Real Hard

Country music’s greatest duo was basically a bar fight waiting to happen. When Brooks & Dunn stormed out of the gate with “Brand New Man” in 1991, it looked like ...

LeAnn Rimes and Eddie Cibrian smiling outdoors, not taken when she spoke about feeling hated after their affair scandal.

LeAnn Rimes Says So Many Women Hated Her After Affair With Eddie Cibrian and She Felt Like a Target

Ain’t every country ballad pretty, and LeAnn Rimes knows her verse is messy as hell. View this post on Instagram A post shared by leann rimes cibrian (@leannrimes) Back in ...

Leave a Comment

For security, use of Google's reCAPTCHA service is required which is subject to the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.