“Silent Night” is a classic Christmas carol. Seven years ago, three country superstars — Kelly Clarkson, Trisha Yearwood and Reba McEntire — redefined it.
The trio performed the song as part of “Kelly Clarkson’s Cautionary Christmas Music Tale” back in 2013. It definitely was a formal affair.
Clarkson, dressed in a red, sparkly evening gown, first stepped to the microphone. She was accompanied by a piano and guitar. Then came Yearwood, wearing dark blue, to sing the second verse. Finally, McEntire, dazzling in back, sang the third verse.
The three finished the song in beautiful a cappella. The harmonizing was near celestial.
Clarkson Special Was a Take Off on Christmas Carol
The special was Clarkson’s first as a solo host. She’d headlined the special “American Idol Christmas.” And she stuck with her reality star roots with “Kelly, Ruben and Fantasia: Home for Christmas.” Ruben Studdard and Fantasia Barrino, like Clarkson, also won American Idol.
Clarkson’s special wasn’t just a series of singers performing the classics. It was based on “A Christmas Carol.” As part of the plot, Clarkson had to blackmail Yearwood and McEntire to sing with her. Other stars who appeared included Blake Shelton, William Shatner, Whoopi Goldberg, Robin Williams, Heidi Klum and Jay Leno.
In the show, Clarkson plays a failing singer. (As if that ever could happen to her). The fictional Kelly is trying to breathe life into her career by starring in a Christmas special. But no stars want to be on her show. Clarkson’s personality sours and turns dark.
She runs away from the theater and sees her former assistant, who is homeless. The Christmas spirit gives her life a new meaning. She sings “White Christmas” at a homeless shelter. The video of it goes viral and saves her career.
Kelly Clarkson and Her Version of Silent Night Is Popular Video
The country superwomen version has been viewed 30.5 million times on YouTube. For context, Pentatonix’s interpretation of the classic sits at 34 million views, while the Temptations have 33 million.
