“I Dig Him”: Kelly Clarkson Delivers Seductive, Soul-Infused Cover of Riley Green’s “Worst Way”
Kelly Clarkson treated viewers to a sultry pre-Valentine’s Day performance on The Kelly Clarkson Show, putting her powerhouse vocal imprint on country star Riley Green’s breakout hit, “Worst Way.”
Airing during the flagship “Kellyoke” segment, the performance transformed Green’s laid-back country arrangement into a full-throttle, soul-tinged anthem. Bathed in crimson stage lighting that matched the song’s intimate themes, Clarkson leaned into the track’s romantic tension, backed by a tight rhythm section and bluesy electric guitar riffs.
A Soulful Redesign of a Steamy Hit
Penned entirely by Green and originally released in March 2024, “Worst Way” has become one of the most popular modern ballads in contemporary country music:
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Reimagined Delivery: While Green’s original leans into an understated, acoustic-driven drawl, Clarkson shifted the song into dynamic vocal territory, keeping the early verses tight and controlled before launching into an explosive, belted register on the final chorus.
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The Stage Ambience: The production leaned into the holiday mood with saturated red mood lighting and soaring electric guitar lines, giving the track a classic R&B-meets-country ballad atmosphere.
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Post-Performance Praise: Wrapping up the final notes, Clarkson immediately turned to the studio audience to spotlight Green, saying: “I love him. I dig him. You should check him out!”
Mutual Respect: Riley Green Responds
The admiration was quickly reciprocated by Green himself:
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Social Media Shoutout: Shortly after the episode aired, Green took to his Instagram Story to repost the video clip of Clarkson’s rendition, expressing his gratitude and appreciation for the daytime host’s vocal spin on his work.
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A Timely Crossover: The Kellyoke cover landed during a resurgence of interest in “Worst Way,” following the premiere of Green’s official music video earlier in the week.
Clarkson’s Continued Embrace of Country Music
The cover forms part of a sustained wave of country showcases on Clarkson’s daytime stage, underscoring her affinity for both Nashville classics and emerging talent:
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Recent “Kellyoke” Country Covers:
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Avery Anna & Dylan Marlowe — “I Will (When You Do)”
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Max McNown — “A Lot More Free”
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Ella Langley — “Better Be Tough”
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Genre Versatility: By pairing modern country storytelling with her distinctive pop-soul phrasing, Clarkson continues to turn her morning show’s opening segment into a respected platform for Nashville songwriters and chart-toppers alike.
