You “Need” to hear this one! Kelly Clarkson hit another Kellyoke out of the park on Tuesday (May 25), when she took on the INXS hit “Need You Tonight” on The Kelly Clarkson Show.
The three-time Grammy winner changed things up a bit at the outset of her version. Rather than the original’s immediately infectious beat, Clarkson’s take began significantly slower, and with a much darker tone, before she turns the dial up all the way.
“All you’ve got is this moment/ 21st century’s yesterday/ You can care all you want,” she begins moodily as the stage lights bathe her in red. Then as her band Y’all explodes with the familiar beat, Clarkson belts out, “Cuz everybody does!”
The singer stayed true to the sultry feel of Australian rock band’s song, but with a touch more insistence thanks to her powerful vocals. “So slide over here/ And give me a moment/ Your moves are so raw/ I’ve got to let you know/ I’ve got to let you know/ You’re one of my kind,” she sings. “I’ve got to let you know/ You’re one of my kind!”
The song was the first single from INXS’ 1987 album, Kick. The hit spent 25 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, and topped the chart in January 1988.
In recent weeks, Clarkson has covered Bruno Mars’ “Locked Out of Heaven,” Cher’s version of “The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s in His Kiss),” Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky,” and many more beloved tunes for her popular Kellyoke segments.
Watch her take on INXS’ “Need You Tonight”:
