Swift’s “Clean” was originally covered by Clarkson.
“In another universe, this would definitely be an amazing Kelly Clarkson original,” someone said. “I’m desperate for more Taylor covers. As always, Kelly is amazing! 😊,” someone else said.
Some demanded that Clarkson embark on her own Eras Tour, which Swift, 34, is now finishing up. “I need a tour of the Kelly Clarkson era. “Sing your hits, girl!” replied a fan. “AND throw some covers in too please!!!”
In April 2023, Clarkson performed a cover of Swift’s poignant 1989 song “Clean” for Kellyoke.
The powerhouse singers are friends and support one another. The “Breakaway” hitmaker told Swift in July 2019 to re-record her songs following the drama surrounding Scooter Braun purchasing Swift’s music catalog.
“@taylorswift13 just a thought, U should go in & re-record all the songs that U don’t own the masters on exactly how U did them but put brand new art & some kind of incentive so fans will no longer buy the old versions,” she wrote on X (formerly Twitter) at the time.
Clarkson added: “I’d buy all of the new versions just to prove a point 💁🏼♀️.” She later revealed she got the idea from her former mother-in-law Reba McEntire.
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Swift wound up recording a series of “Taylor’s Version” albums, claiming her masters as her own and adding unreleased Vault Tracks as well.
Clarkson, meanwhile, has considered re-recording her own music — but with different goals in mind. “I don’t really want to re-record to own it. Some things I do want to kind of re-record because I think I’m better with age, vocally,” she told PEOPLE in November 2023.
One example she mentioned was the 2003 song “Miss Independent.” “It’s just, young Kelly is so fresh, right? And it’s not good. It’s green.”