Photo: Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal
Kelly Clarkson put her own spin on one of Maren Morris’ most career-defining hits during her Kellyoke performance on The Kelly Clarkson Show. The chemistry powerhouse delivered her cover of “The Bones,” which appeared on Morris’ sophomore album in 2019.
Morris released her “ambitious” album, GIRL, on March 8, 2019. She marked its five-year anniversary with a reflection on Instagram. The award-winning singer-songwriter wrote in her statement, in part: “This album was so ambitious, so audacious and had something to prove. I’d be lying if back then I wasn’t dreading the proverbial ‘sophomore slump’ album after HERO [Morris’ debut full-length album that released in 2016]. …I have so many fond memories of that tour and miss seeing your faces when the top of ‘The Bones’ started. It was the first time I realized YOU were choosing the next single for me. And you were right. It led to my career expanding in ways I never thought possible, especially so early on. While you’re driving, doing the dishes, or manifesting your next dream, I hope you turn on this album this week with me and remember where you were and who you were when you first heard it, and how far we’ve come.”
“When the bones are good, the rest don't matter/ Yeah, the paint could peel, the glass could shatter/ Let it break, 'cause you and I remain the same/ When there ain't a crack in the foundation/ Baby, I know any storm we're facing will/ Blow right over while we stay put/ The house don't fall when the bones are good.”
“The Bones” remains one of the biggest hits of Morris’ career, along with “80s Mercedes,” “My Church,” “I Could Use a Love Song,” “Rich,” “GIRL,” “Circles Around This Town,” “Humble Quest” and many others. Most recently, Morris released her reimagined version of Billy Idol’s “Dancing with Myself.” Clarkson has previously covered songs by country artists on her daytime talk show, including Morris’ “RSVP.” She’s also performed hits by Lainey Wilson, Jelly Roll, George Strait, Jo Dee Messina, Keith Urban and many others. Watch Clarkson perform “The Bones” here: