Kelly Clarkson has a present for taking any track—irrespective of the style—and making it really feel contemporary, however her newest Kellyoke cowl is likely to be certainly one of her most surprising but.
On at this time’s episode of The Kelly Clarkson Present, she took on Harvey Hazard’s alt-rock anthem “Flagpole Sitta,” a observe filled with anxious, anti-establishment vitality that grew to become a defining track of the late ’90s.
As all the time, Clarkson and her backing band, My Band Y’all, delivered a full-throttle efficiency, leaning into the track’s frenetic vitality and wry, self-aware lyrics.
Launched because the debut single from Harvey Hazard’s 1997 album The place Have All of the Merrymakers Gone?, “Flagpole Sitta” grew to become an surprising hit. The track shot to No. 3 on Billboard’s Different Airplay chart, peaked at No. 38 on the Scorching 100 chart, and made appearances throughout a number of different Billboard charts.
Its snarky, disaffected lyrics completely captured late-’90s youth tradition, making it a staple on different radio stations and securing its place in popular culture historical past.
The observe grew to become much more iconic when it was featured within the 1999 teen comedy American Pie, blasting over one of many movie’s chaotic get together scenes. It additionally discovered a second life within the 2000s, being rediscovered by TV exhibits like Peep Present.
In the meantime, Kelly Clarkson’s Kellyoke phase has become probably the most beloved components of The Kelly Clarkson Present, with the singer tackling all the things from pop divas to traditional rock anthems. However “Flagpole Sitta” is likely to be certainly one of her most delightfully unhinged decisions but.
Clarkson didn’t simply cowl the track—she utterly embodied it, channeling its nervous vitality along with her powerhouse vocals whereas preserving the uncooked, barely manic edge that made the unique so memorable.
The instrumentation stayed true to the alt-rock sound, with distorted guitars and driving drums maintaining the tempo. Even Clarkson’s supply had an additional chunk, proving she will be able to simply as simply faucet into her rock aspect as she will be able to belt out a hovering ballad.
For longtime followers of Kellyoke, this isn’t the primary time Clarkson has dipped into the choice rock world. She’s beforehand lined songs from The Killers, Smashing Pumpkins, Kings of Leon, and Foo Fighters.
Watch Clarkson’s rendition of Harvey Hazard’s “Flagpole Sitta” under.