Kelly Clarkson, tonight we wanna cry. Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most emotionally stirring performances Kelly Clarkson has ever gifted us.
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00:00 "Don't you like it uptown? It's quiet uptown."
00:04 Welcome to Miss Mojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the most
00:08 emotionally stirring performances Kelly Clarkson has ever gifted us.
00:12 "Piece by piece, I'll restore my faith. Sorry."
00:18 10. Tonight I Wanna Cry - The Kelly Clarkson Show
00:23 Diving right in with the aptly titled Tonight I Wanna Cry, Clarkson could have
00:28 flooded her studio with her rendition of the Keith Urban song.
00:32 "I'll never get over you, walking away."
00:39 She doesn't just sing it, she really makes it her own, letting her heart and soul flow into every note.
00:45 We know Clarkson is one of the best vocalists around, however, it's not just about her
00:49 impressive range and control. She also makes every listener feel like she's singing just for them.
00:54 "I've never been the kind to ever let my feelings show."
01:01 Her voice has this incredible warmth that draws you in, like she's right there with you,
01:06 feeling every word alongside you. Even though the lyrics can be pretty heavy,
01:10 her delivery feels like a comforting hug.
01:13 "Cause tonight I wanna cry."
01:18 9. Behind These Hazel Eyes - Sverijes Television
01:22 When it comes to singers, you've got the good, the great, and then there's Kelly Clarkson.
01:27 She's not just technically skilled, there's something about her voice that just defies description.
01:31 "Here I am, once again. I'm torn into pieces, can't deny it, can't pretend."
01:39 What sets her apart isn't just her vocal prowess, it's how she pours everything she has into
01:44 every number. Take this specific performance, for example. She really digs deep into the
01:48 themes of heartbreak and betrayal, and you can feel every bit of it here.
01:52 "No, I don't cry on the outside anymore."
02:00 It's like the ex who wronged her is standing right there, and she's letting out all her rage.
02:05 If you've ever been in Clarkson's shoes, you won't be able to hide behind your tear-filled eyes.
02:10 "This is a crime. Behind these hazel eyes."
02:18 8. A Moment Like This - American Idol
02:21 When Kelly was crowned as the very first American Idol champion, her winning song proved America
02:26 had chosen wisely. With barely a moment to absorb her victory, she channeled all her
02:30 emotions into her performance.
02:32 "Oh, I can't believe it's happening to me. Woo!"
02:41 Rather than hiding behind flawless technique, Kelly embraces the rawness of the moment.
02:45 If anything, her occasional slip-ups seem like her heartfelt way of showing the audience
02:50 how much their support meant to her.
02:52 "I wanna know that you will touch me when I'm gone."
02:58 Also, how many people do you know who'd share the mic during their big moment? As far as
03:03 the audience and the fans go, a moment like this isn't one they'd be quick to forget,
03:08 and we've got the tear stains to prove it.
03:10 "For a moment like this."
03:17 7. Clean - The Kelly Clarkson Show
03:20 Clarkson left us speechless with her rendition of Taylor Swift's "Clean" during her popular
03:24 Kelly Oakey segment.
03:26 "When the flowers that we'd grown together died of thirst."
03:33 If you thought Swift's version was heart-wrenching, prepare to clutch that tissue box even tighter
03:38 for Clarkson's. She delves deep into the pain and healing of a breakup, infusing the song
03:43 with so much of her own experience that you'd swear she had written it herself. Or, at least,
03:49 that Swift had penned it specifically for her.
03:52 "They kept me pouring down when I was drowning."
03:59 Clarkson is a master at unearthing the most fragile and poignant moments of a song and
04:03 owning them with her powerful voice. The idea of a Kelly and Taylor collaboration might
04:07 just lead to a worldwide shortage of tissues.
04:10 "Oh, as any trace of you, I think I will finally clean."
04:16 6. Because of You - Top of the Pops
04:20 Let's be honest, this song can break your heart in any context. Co-penned by Clarkson,
04:25 the lyrics paint a poignant picture of a young Kelly coming to terms with her parents' divorce
04:29 and its lasting impact.
04:31 "Because of you I learn to play on the safe side so I don't get hurt."
04:37 That context alone is enough to bring tears to anyone's eyes. Yet, witnessing her perform
04:41 it live, as she does here, is a whole other experience. Indeed, her vocals demonstrate
04:46 the healing power of music.
04:48 "And I cry in the middle of the night for a friend I met."
04:57 She lets herself be vulnerable and completely candid, allowing her voice to convey the sadness,
05:02 anger, and despair of the song. It's a performance so pure and honest that every note leaves
05:08 us breathless. If you're not already weeping, that ending should do it.
05:12 "I am afraid."
05:19 5. I Will Always Love You - 57th Academy of Country Music Awards
05:24 Stepping into the shoes of legends like Dolly Parton and Whitney Houston to perform this
05:28 iconic number and leave a mark is a dream few singers even dare to entertain. Yet, Clarkson
05:34 effortlessly blends Parton's delicate touch with Houston's powerhouse vocals, creating
05:39 a performance that grabs you by the heartstrings and doesn't let go.
05:46 "I will always love you."
05:52 Later, Clarkson revealed that shortly before hitting the stage, she found out her divorce
05:56 had been finalized. Indeed, as you watch her sing, you can feel her pouring every ounce
06:01 of those complex emotions into the lyrics.
06:03 "And I wish you joy and happiness."
06:10 It's raw, powerful, and downright captivating. Even if you didn't know the backstory, you'd
06:15 still feel the intensity she's radiating.
06:18 "I will always love you."
06:25 4. You Say - The Kelly Clarkson Show
06:29 In a heartfelt bathroom kelly-oke segment back in 2020, Clarkson unleashed everything
06:34 she had into Lauren Daigle's "You Say," dedicated to the frontline heroes of the COVID-19 pandemic.
06:43 "The sum of every high and every low."
06:50 Singing from her home, the video features clips of medical staff, making it a real tear-jerker.
06:55 Yet, it's her powerhouse vocals that really hit hard, taking us from a few silent tears
07:01 to full-blown ugly crying.
07:03 "When I don't belong, oh you say I am yours."
07:09 Throughout the pandemic, Clarkson was a vocal supporter of those who'd sacrificed so much
07:13 to help others, and this performance is a beautiful expression of that gratitude. It
07:18 will give you goosebumps, and leave you feeling deeply moved.
07:22 "Oh, when I believe, yes I believe."
07:28 Even Clarkson struggles to keep it together.
07:31 3. It's Quiet Uptown - iHeartRadio
07:34 In 2016, Clarkson performed a spine-tingling acoustic version of "It's Quiet Uptown"
07:40 from Hamilton for iHeartRadio.
07:42 "The moments when you're in so deep, feels easier to just swim down."
07:50 This song always hits hard. Yet, Clarkson has this way of digging deep into the emotions
07:55 of a song and uncovering feelings you didn't even realize were there. She shared that she
07:59 hadn't seen the show when she was first asked to record the number for the Hamilton mixtape,
08:05 but her interpretation of the lyrics affected her profoundly.
08:08 "Look at where we are, look at where we started."
08:15 She was pregnant with her son at the time, and dealing with all those "mum-to-be" anxieties.
08:20 Clarkson hits us deep in the feels and holds on from the moment she starts singing until
08:24 the final note.
08:26 "There you're going through the unimaginable."
08:30 2. Mine - Stripped Live at the Belasco Theatre
08:35 Clarkson shared that she poured her heart into songwriting during her divorce. Her
08:39 album Chemistry is a testament to that.
08:41 "Right when you think that it's perfect, they cross the line and steal your shine like
08:48 you did mine."
08:50 One standout track, "Mine," really delves into the aftermath of a breakup, capturing
08:54 all the raw emotion and the journey towards healing. You can just sense that writing songs
08:59 was her lifeline during that rough patch, and her voice resonates with anyone who's
09:04 been through heartbreak.
09:05 "Go ahead and break my heart, that's fine."
09:10 The lingering notes echo like persistent thoughts, drawing listeners deeper into her world.
09:15 Whether or not you've felt such heartache, Kelly's delivery makes her music feel like
09:19 a shared experience. She also shared it with her talk show audience, leaving barely a dry
09:24 eye in the studio.
09:25 "Someone's gonna show you how a heart can be used like you did mine."
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09:49 1. Piece by Piece - American Idol
09:53 Piece by Piece is essentially a follow-up to Because of You, but from a mother's perspective.
09:58 "Piece by piece, fill the holes that you burned in me."
10:05 It reaffirms her and the father of her children's vow, always to prioritize their children.
10:10 She strikes a powerful chord with audiences. Just look at Keith Urban. Clarkson once explained
10:15 that she struggles to perform the number not because of past pain, but because the song
10:19 reminds her of her blessings.
10:20 "She will never have to wonder her worth, because unlike you I'm gonna put her first."
10:29 Knowing what we do about her relationship makes it hurt that much more. Still, each
10:34 note she sings soars, carrying the weight of a lifetime of emotions. Yet her performance
10:39 is so stunning and stirring that we could watch her on repeat until our tears run dry.
10:44 "And a father should be great."
10:50 Which Kelly Clarkson performance always moves you to tears? Let us know in the comments.
10:55 "You're crying, I'm fine."
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11:05 "You're crying, I'm fine."
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11:07 "You're crying, I'm fine."
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11:09 "You're crying, I'm fine."
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11:11 "You're crying, I'm fine."
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11:13 (upbeat music)
11:16 you