Kelly Clarkson has a present for taking any tune—regardless of the style—and making it really feel contemporary, however her newest Kellyoke cowl could be one among her most surprising but.
On in the present day’s episode of The Kelly Clarkson Present, she took on Harvey Hazard’s alt-rock anthem “Flagpole Sitta,” a observe full of anxious, anti-establishment power that turned a defining tune 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 tune’s frenetic power 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” turned an surprising hit. The tune 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 various radio stations and securing its place in popular culture historical past.
The observe turned much more iconic when it was featured within the 1999 teen comedy American Pie, blasting over one of many movie’s chaotic celebration 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 changed into one of the crucial beloved elements of The Kelly Clarkson Present, with the singer tackling every part from pop divas to basic rock anthems. However “Flagpole Sitta” could be one among her most delightfully unhinged decisions but.
Clarkson didn’t simply cowl the tune—she utterly embodied it, channeling its nervous power along with her powerhouse vocals whereas conserving 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 chew, proving she will simply as simply faucet into her rock aspect as she will 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” beneath.

