Kelly Clarkson has cultivated a reputation for her intimate, personal live shows. “The Voice” coach regularly interacts playfully with fans before belting out her hits. But even Grammy-winning artists get intimidated at times.
While discussing her favorite live music with fellow coach, Adam Levine, Clarkson said that the iconic Annie Lennox was one of her favorite concerts. She also admitted that she was so blown away that, in a moment of insecurity, she considered quitting music altogether.
Why Annie Lennox’s Concert Was a Defining Moment for Kelly Clarkson
Clarkson began telling Levine and John Legend that, when it came to live music, there had been “a lot of experiences.” However, one stood out. “Annie Lennox,” she said.
“I saw her at this small theater in London, and I swear to God, I almost quit after watching it,” she continued. “Because I was like, ‘Oh, that’s what you’re supposed to do.”
“She’s incredible,” Levine agreed.
“It was the first time an artist, I feel like, brought you into their world,” she added. “Like, she didn’t have to go to you. It was like she brought you; it was magical.”
“It’s so funny that you say that, because I’m going to piggyback on you for a second,” Levine said. “And I’m going to say that I had an experience very similar with, specifically, Annie Lennox.”
He explained that, for him, it was when she played her song “Why” on the piano. Clarkson freaked out and exclaimed, “That’s my favorite song!”
“And it was crazy because it was, like, this person is just capturing everyone right now and shutting everybody up,” the Maroon 5 singer added. “I was so blown away.”
Kelly Clarkson Credits Annie Lennox for Crucial Career Advice
Clarkson has long cited Lennox as an inspiration. In 2019, she told “E! News” that she’d once asked the “Walking on Broken Glass” singer how she kept her voice healthy.
“You gotta know when to say no,” Clarkson recalled her saying.
“I was very young. I was 19 coming off [American] Idol,” she said. “It was very hard for me to say no because I felt like people would think I was lazy or I was trying to be a diva or something. It’s a very simple answer, but it’s a very simple thing to say look, I can only do so much because I’m not a robot.”
Over the years, the “Stronger” singer has shown her love for Lennox by performing many covers of Lennox’s songs at her own live shows and on “Kellyoke” on “The Kelly Clarkson Show.” She may be envious of Lennox’s stage charisma, but according to many, her own cover of “Why” from 2005 is pretty spectacular.
“Annie is the end all be all to me,” wrote one fan. “Her music is scripture to me. Not many musicians could do this song justice but it makes my heart smile that you paid recognition and did it so beautifully. Truly you can’t even imagine how much this touched me.”
