Kelly Clarkson paid tribute to legendary mother-daughter duo The Judds with her rendition of the 1980s anthem “Have Mercy” during The Kelly Clarkson Show.
The Judds — Naomi Judd and Wynonna Judd — released “Have Mercy” in 1985. It remains one of the greatest hits from the Country Music Hall of Famers, along with “Why Not Me,” “Mama He’s Crazy,” “Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout The Good The Good Old Days),” “Girls Night Out,” “Love Is Alive,” “Love Can Build A Bridge” and many others throughout the duo’s decades-long career. Those songs and others were included in the track list of a star-studded tribute album to The Judds in October 2023. That project included a cover of “Have Mercy” by LeAnn Rimes, along with renditions by Lainey Wilson and Dolly Parton, Cody Johnson, Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton, Wynonna Judd and Trisha Yearwood, and others.
“Have mercy on me/ You treat me so bad I'm in misery/ It's breaking my heart, can't you see/ Baby, baby have mercy on me/ Well, I called you up on the telephone”
Clarkson has previously paid tribute to country legends and rising stars during the Kellyoke performance on her daytime talk show, including Reba McEntire, Josh Turner, Keith Urban, Maren Morris, George Strait, Jelly Roll, Kylie Morgan, Hank Williams Jr., and many others. Watch her perform “Have Mercy” here: