Kelly Clarkson Performs at Obama Inauguration

Singer Kelly Clarkson, winner of the first season of American Idol, performs 'My Country,'Tis of Thee' at the Inauguration of President Barack Obama. Photo: Getty Images.
Full Inauguration Playlist:
• Presidential Inaugurat...
Click here to subscribe to our channel:
/ wsj
Visit us on Facebook:
/ wsjlive
Follow us on Twitter: / wsjlive
Visit the Wall Street Journal: www.wsj.com
Don’t miss a WSJ video, subscribe here: bit.ly/14Q81Xy
More from the Wall Street Journal:
Visit WSJ.com: www.wsj.com
Visit the WSJ Video Center: wsj.com/video
On Facebook: / videos
On Twitter: / wsj
On Snapchat: on.wsj.com/2ratjSM

[@Ekw418]

Watching 7 years later on the day of the 2020 inauguration and...... this performance is still phenomenal

[@tokunagaster]

はい

[@cazpk6840]

The best thing about American Idol is that it raised singers that could sing live .... Kelly is one of those. She never claims to be perfect when singing live but she always tries to be authentic. Kudos.

[@donnalang6563]

So true.

[@annettecole7307]

She sounded 👍.

[@rudeboy076]

"Wooh I'm nervous!" And then she murders it. Classic Kelly.

[@jcontreras2986]

Obama- "that was a good kind of nervous" Kelly- "I voted for yall" all laughs - she's the best

[@StsFiveOneLima]

1:29 I have always loved Kelly Clarkson. At 1:29, that little smile on her face, I think, is because she knows how she is about to absolutely NAIL the rest of this song. "Hey y'all, watch this."

[@ronaldosanchez3207]

She's so beautiful and so downright cute to me. Amazing genuine and honest talent.

[@neuerntzerneuernutzer7600]

Her face is moderate but too talented

[@j99tinks]

I cry every time I watch it...

[@idontwantagoogleplusprofil4174]

This is the best version I've heard. Amazing voice combined with a beautiful orchestral arrangement.

[@dhrubaintisher8169]

Not only is she a powerhouse, but such a genuine person.. Love you Kelly👑👑❤❤

[@rhoneadillard6251]

Thank you, Kelly, for not lip-syncing at the Inauguration. What a voice!

[@mariangerula4079]

Love this, Kelly's performance was EPIC!!!!

[@MrPipe1986]

What a belting! OMG!

[@vincec8218]

you are really cute, Filipe

[@MrPipe1986]

Thank you Vince!

[@brianGJ]

Kelly owned this song. She is captivating.

[@jason6142]

She's one of the best singers I ever know, she's amazing

[@williamfernandopereira4860]

"she's not a big star"----- BUT SHE'S THE BEST OF THEM Kelly is amazing and perfect.

[@unpopulartea1220]

Of course she's a big star

[@abhro5424]

She is THE star for many

[@itsbritneybyotch7471]

She's one of the best

[@PMChannel.]

Now that's a singer. Kelly Clarkson was phenomenal. I love her voice. This is the vocalist and performance we should speak about. Kelly Clarkson sang the song live and I loved hearing the richness in her voice. She is such a talented singer.

[@MillicentDionne]

Kelly's so cute, talented, and humble. She said "Oooh, I'm nervous." As far as someone who said they don't know why she was invited because she's not a big star, what the mess does that have to do with anything? She has a great voice.

[@britskee03]

She is so amazing and adorable! And on a side side, I think it's time we stop introducing her as "winner of American Idol." It was over a decade ago. She has Grammys!

[@fabiusfierce8000]

Kelly is amazing

[@kk_tran]

She is beautiful and still is now. I hate how people are hating on her because of how thick she is. She was pregnant wasn't she? She isn't like Kim kardashian who instantly lost all her pregnancy weight. (love Kim k tho)

[@KryptoniteStuff]

Gotta love her. She seemed genuinely excited and felt every note of it. She seems in a really good place in her life :)

[@fishheadnoodle]

i really really hope Kelly wins some Grammys next month. She really deserves more of it :)

[@paulorodrigocs]

The best singer of her generation.

[@mmcholanian]

Kelly, Obama Inauguration. All the press hype was for Beyoncé. Glitz and Glam . No no no!!!!!!!!! You had nothing but your voice. You belted out “ My Country tis of thee “ without need for any backup, from the gut , from the BETTER singer. I will never forget that performance!!!

[@kennethgodspeed4115]

THANK YOU SO MUCH KELLY

[@frefer1386]

I adore her. She's just a small town girl from Texas with a voice as big as our state. I think she sang it with heart, and soul. Something that is not so easy with a song that is an anthem. If anything it's a testament to her talent.

[@ferosha99]

I agree! The BBC announcer had a much better introduction of her, saying she was the one-time American Idol winner who has since gone on to make a big name for herself. The guy basically made it sound like "American Idol winner" is basically her one and only title.

[@VelvetGal5]

Kelly Clarkson DID an AMAZING, BEAUTIFUL job! She's the BEST singer to come out of "American Idol". I've been her fan since the beginning in 2002. She's my favorite singer of ALL time. I'm SO PROUD of Kelly Clarkson EACH time she sings & performs! And today I was so happy that she sang at President Obama's Inauguration! You go, girl! She was the best today! :-) (cont.)

[@PurdueBuilt]

This was the first National Anthem, and should be again. It captures the spirit of America beautifully.

[@MsDottie09]

Still listening and watching this stunning performance by Kelly on February 18, 2019 President's Day.

[@lostalex77]

I love how at the very beginning, you can see her look out and take it all in. You can tell she understands the gravity of the situation. She doesn't just treat like a "performance" like Beyonce did.

[@beneaththefrosting4765]

Victory is coming soon!!!

[@78antoniete]

Amazing voice. Hands down.

[@nasskc896]

So cute...kelly generally not nervous person when she sings but i could tell she was nervous and couldn't wait to finish it off but DANG she just SANGGGG...thats i love her for years

[@evassweetener]

That last note 🤯

[@annhargrove4418]

Kelly, you touched my soul.

[@chaleevang259]

wow! that was amazing. she is so talented.

[@rubetue]

Okay ... I have loved Kelly Clarkson since she was the very 1st and original winner of American Idol ... Yep a sweetie who's voice, heart & soul are as big as the state she comes from ... Texas! ♥ Beautiful LIVE singin' as usual, Kell ... you do America proud! Peace! ♥

[@john65945]

QUEEN

[@TashmahalStorm]

THIS BROUGHT TEARS TO MY EYES, THIS IS REAL

[@janetguillory2275]

I'm a KC fan and a Democrat. Love Kelly and love American democracy. You and I could start a bold movement: We are all Americans. When taken on the whole, we have much more in common than that which purposes to divide us.

[@claireboyle7151]

You can tell she is so proud to be standing there and singing for the president. So much passion. Beyoncé could use to watch this

[@edozzz12]

+Johnny W Beyonce's lipsync-ing! Lawl!

[@1goldbaby]

Beyonce DOESNT have to watch. Kelly..

[@leemall8099]

She should though.

[@Aquariusxx]

1goldbaby I mean Beyoncé chose to lip sync for this grand occasion... 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@evanshiong3557]

Not just one president but 3. Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter were also there. Her idol Aretha Franklin sung at President Clinton’s inaugural gala. If George H.W. Bush (who could not attend as he had just left the hospital at the time) and George W. Bush were there, then she would’ve gotten to perform for all of the presidents alive at that time. She’s so humble and that’s the wonderful thing about her.

[@rockincarla1]

its amazing they chose her to sing at the Inauguration

[@rufus888]

Not downplaying Kelly Clarkson's singing, because it was quite amazing, but how about that arrangement played by the Marine Band? WOW!

[@kimmy1984]

Wow from American Idol to performing at the inauguration. Good for Kelly she has such a nice voice.

[@karentinsley3364]

She was the best! Love this video! Watch it a hundred times!

[@AdrianCooper11]

She's so good!!!!

[@pathfinderdiscovery9395]

Best I heard by far in many a yr

[@whatorwellsaid]

I'm a KC fan and a Republican. Love Kelly and love American democracy. And her little thing at the end...lol

[@vettech3086]

BREATH TAKING !! AWESOME !! YOU ROCK KELLY !!

[@VelvetGal5]

It's a bonus Kelly wore a winter coat similar to the 1 I'm wearing down to the cranberry maroon color. Even my nail polish matches Kelly's coat & it wasn't planned. I've been wearing the coat for months & this nail polish for some days now. Today was a GOOD DAY. Great Inauguration even though I was at work & didn't get to see all of it. And EXCELLENT taste in inviting the best singer in the world to sing - Kelly Clarkson! Now I hope Kelly wins another Grammy next month to add to her 2 Grammys!

[@MsDottie09]

BRAVO KELLY!!!!. You are a great singer who chose to sing LIVE even with the frigid temperatures. So proud of you!!!

[@ellao.2433]

Love Kelly Clarkson!

[@johnnyfx5600]

What a sweet heart. I love her so much!!

[@iGaara19]

Love Kelly. She sings it so beautifully. She sings an anthem song from 1831 and brings it modern.

[@JohnjoTaft09]

Her mic volume was low... that's all :\ (so the technicians obviously turned up her mic). Kelly will definitely not mime at something like this if she can help it. She's flawless

[@yeracmitchell9971]

Kelly was the only Diva on that day

[@stanlywlodykajimenez6983]

Best version ever? Tough cuz Aretha 4 years earlier did a version that was so significant, so empowered, cathartic after hundreds of years of racism, slavery, & subjugation for Obama's 1st inauguration... her repetition of "freedom" was powerful enough to knock a bit of the shame & trauma out of US society, but Kelly's version here is so pure. Her voice is a glory to God 💜🙏🏽💜

[@sheltondk43]

She is an "American Dream" story, herself. I so admire that she took her chance when she had it, going from cocktail waitress to successful singer and entertainer. What if she talked herself out of "putting herself out there" in the American Idol trials. She should be an example to us all, that following your dream is a risk worth taking. Believe your heart.

[@Biancaandradecruz]

i swear shes the best

[@dg92808]

0:13 Oh Bill, ease off okay?

[@punkofmudd]

oMG that was too funny

[@amooora1416]

Kelly my fav ever in the world

[@CaseyFordAlexander]

Raw and amazing!

[@kaitlynmarshbanks6754]

?! I thank both Beyonce and Kelly for giving stirring, heartfelt performances and showing that they are BOTH ladies of excellence!

[@kirkeric]

She was fantastic!

[@analyjustus7139]

Thanks Kelly for singing live

[@prnoflin]

Kelly nails it every time! And for people saying Beyonce didn't sing, she actually did sing but had a recorded audio to assist her in case something went wrong.

[@SweetBluebonnet]

Class act.

[@PanagiotaPzn]

Kelly ♥ Perfect Like Always

[@R1089]

she sang it beautifully!! great job kelly. love it!! :-)

[@DanielleA2023]

great voice, amazing talent, singing for the president! go girl!!!

[@mariahafner]

No matter what party we prefer we all should admire, as you do, this young lady to have the courage to sing for this very spacilal occasion

[@conan2209]

Please, please let her win all four nominations

[@swerveon]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!

[@samueltrevino1936]

0:41 HER SMILE ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@ducluongdo8012]

Amazing.

[@rajafatih19]

My country, 'tis of thee, Sweet land of liberty, Of thee I sing; Land where my fathers died, Land of the pilgrims' pride, From ev'ry mountainside Let freedom ring! Let music swell the breeze, And ring from all the trees Sweet freedom's song; Let mortal tongues awake; Let all that breathe partake; Let rocks their silence break, The sound prolong. Our fathers' God to Thee, Author of liberty, To Thee we sing. Long may our land be bright, With freedom's holy light, Protect us by Thy might, Great God our King!

[@Elong.]

Thats the famous Jane Austen ring she's wearing. Emotional rendering Kelly!

[@katerinawasileva6316]

She said it's replica( her husband made it for her ), original one is a national treasure and cannot be taking to another country

[@Elong.]

@@katerinawasileva6316 I believe she gave it back to them

[@MITsolar]

wow...great job...she nailed it

[@hunterhudson194]

Plus she IS a big star!

[@ecl411]

Kelly reminds me of Pink. Forever the superior singers and forever underrated.

[@whatorwellsaid]

I agree.

[@sulynnlopez7076]

Oh my gosh, I cannot get over how effing adorable that woman is!!!!! What a talent!

[@henryayres]

Incredible! Love her...

[@zeusbadger1]

I hope that she wins a grammy this year, I mean really!? This was ridonculous! She's the best!

[@tyllenium]

Absolutely wonderful. Absolutelylive

[@mayaleon3403]

Now I’m going back to her American Idol videos

[@unfusa]

I am not an American bite this is amazing piece with more amazing performance of a great singer

[@prodigiii712]

just look at her face and her eyes. She was so nervous in the beginning but eventually she pulled it so well. :D

[@KryptoniteStuff]

because she have an awesome voice and talent, and for 3:23.

[@SushiLover1990]

Wow!

[@kevin12061998]

Plain awesomeness...Kelly is the reason I now like this song!

[@AmandaBurton01]

She's so humble

[@MsNenadivina]

Loved her performance! Wow goose bumps specially at the end!

[@cassiegurl97]

Yay Kelly!!!

[@kbfasian]

really!! wow...

[@conan2209]

you just said the reason, she's great!

[@ryanwilsonmusic]

She's so adorable, love her!

[@FredBarnhill]

Simply Great!

[@keepnitrealish]

Awesome!