“Kelly Clarkson Will Make a Non-Country Music Listening Dude Turn up the Volume” and Her Belting This Jo Dee Messina Classic Is Proof

With Kelly Clarkson announcing the end of her talk show, the series will conclude in the fall. While not the greatest news for fans, the hitmaker was excited to start a new chapter in her life. And to make it better, it’s only April. Not ending for several more months, Clarkson recently took the stage for her popular Kellyoke segment, covering Jo Dee Messina’s classic hit “Lesson In Leavin’”. 

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While getting the chance to rub shoulders with some of the biggest names in Hollywood, the highlight of Clarkson’s show was Kellyoke. Displaying her full vocal range, the singer produced numerous covers that often left fans stunned. Breathing new life into hit songs, Clarkson had the ability to make each performance uniquely her own. 

Although fans in the audience loved the performance, the praise went far beyond the set as the cover gained over 73,000 views on YouTube. “Kelly does sing pop, pop rock etc., but she is country as hell. She really needs to crossover and give us a pure country album.” Even Messina promoted the performance, sharing it on her Instagram Stories, writing, “Love this so much.”

[RELATED: Kelly Clarkson Was Fighting Back Tears Before Singing This Reba McEntire Tribute Cover—by the End, It Was Reba Who Was Crying]

Kelly Clarkson Pays Tribute To More Than Jo Dee Messina

As for other fans – they cherished the performance but couldn’t help but know that the segments would eventually end. Many urged Clarkson to continue Kellyoke. 

Aside from yet another memorable cover from Clarkson, the performance highlights a long history of “Lesson In Leavin’.” Written by Randy Goodrum and Brent Maher, the song was called “A Lesson in Leavin’” and was recorded by Dottie West in 1979 for her album Special Delivery. 

Centered around a woman overcome with rage after her partner leaves her, the narrator prayed that he would receive the same treatment from his next lover. The song dominated the radio, peaking at No. 1 on the US Hot Country Songs chart. 

Jump forward two decades, and Messina added West’s version of the song to her second studio album, I’m Alright. Although a cover, the singer retitled it “Lesson in Leavin’”. Much like the original, it landed high on the charts, finishing at No. 2 on the US Hot Country Songs chart.

Decades after its release, the song continues to find new life through voices like Clarkson’s. And even as her show nears its final curtain, performances like this serve as a reminder that her career is far from over.

(Photo by: Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)