Kelly Clarkson is no stranger to powerful performances, but her recent cover of Reba McEntire’s emotional ballad “You Lie” on The Kelly Clarkson Show hit home for country fans everywhere. Clarkson’s rendition of the song, originally released by McEntire over 30 years ago, brought a fresh wave of emotion to the 1990 classic.
As Clarkson finished the song, she shared her admiration for McEntire’s impressive career. “I love that song,” Clarkson said to a cheering crowd. “Her whole catalog. That was ‘You Lie,’ Reba’s first single from her seventeenth album and her thirteenth No. 1 country single. She has the most amazing catalog ever. That was all the way back in 1990. Now she has up to 25 No. 1s, which feels like a fake number to those of us who are nowhere near that number. I was like, ‘cool.’”
“You Lie” appeared on McEntire’s Rumor Has It album, alongside hits like “Fancy” and the title track, cementing its place in country music history. McEntire has continued to make her mark on the industry with timeless songs like “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia,” “Does He Love You” (a duet with Linda Davis), “Walk On,” and “I’m a Survivor.” She’s not only a powerhouse vocalist but also a mentor to budding artists as a coach on The Voice, and recently recorded the theme song for her new comedy, Happy’s Place.
Clarkson has a reputation for honoring country legends through her covers, including songs by icons like Kelsea Ballerini, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Shania Twain, The Judds, and Keith Urban. Her tribute to Reba McEntire’s “You Lie” is just the latest example of her deep respect for the genre and its greatest voices.
For fans of both Clarkson and McEntire, this heartfelt cover is a must-watch. Catch Clarkson’s rendition of “You Lie” and experience the song’s powerful lyrics and haunting melody all over again.