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Kelly Clarkson Sounds Flawless While Covering Madonna's "Like a Prayer"

We pray that Kelly Clarkson sings more awesome 80s tunes!

By Jackie Manno

In 2021, Kelly Clarkson threw it back to the 1980s in the best way when she covered the classic tune "Like a Prayer" by Madonna.

How to Watch

Check your local listings for The Kelly Clarkson Show.

During her performance, she crooned the intro over some soulful synths before the thumping bass and drums kicked in. She sang the chorus over a groovy dance beat, harmonizing with her backup singer perfectly for launching into some powerful belting notes during the outro. Listen to the performance here

What to know about "Like a Prayer" by Madonna

A lead single off of Madonna's 1989 album of the same name, "Like a Prayer" is a classic 80s pop song that incorporates themes of gospel music. The critically acclaimed single reached the number one position on the Billboard charts, and was accompanied by an iconic music video. 

Images of Kelly Clarkson performing and Madonna.

The lyrics to Madonna's "Like a Prayer"

Life is a mystery
Everyone must stand alone
I hear you call my name
And it feels like home

When you call my name, it's like a little prayer
I'm down on my knees, I wanna take you there
In the midnight hour, I can feel your power
Just like a prayer, you know I'll take you there

I hear your voice
It's like an angel sighin'
I have no choice
I hear your voice
Feels like flying

I close my eyes
Oh God I think I'm fallin'
Out of the sky
I close my eyes
Heaven help me

When you call my name, it's like a little prayer
I'm down on my knees, I wanna take you there
In the midnight hour, I can feel your power
Just like a prayer, you know I'll take you there

RELATED: Kelly Clarkson Sounds So Raw and Emotional Covering "Why" by Annie Lennox

Like a child
You whisper softly to me
You're in control
Just like a child
Now I'm dancing

It's like a dream
No end and no beginning
You're here with me
It's like a dream
Let the choir sing

When you call my name, it's like a little prayer
I'm down on my knees, I wanna take you there
In the midnight hour, I can feel your power
Just like a prayer, you know I'll take you there

When you call my name, it's like a little prayer
I'm down on my knees, I wanna take you there
In the midnight hour, I can feel a power
Just like a prayer, you know I'll take you there

Life is a mystery
Everyone must stand alone
I hear you call my name
And it feels like home

Just like a prayer (oh-oh), your voice can take me there (oh-oh)
Just like a muse to me (oh-oh), you are a mystery (oh-oh)
Just like a dream (oh-oh), you are not what you seem
Just like a prayer, no choice your voice can take me there

mmm mm
(Just like a prayer, I'll take you there) I'll take you there
(It's like a dream to me) whoa oh-oh-oh
(Just like a prayer, I'll take you there) I'll take you there
(It's like a dream to me) oh yeah, oh yeah yeah yeah yeah
(Just like a prayer, I'll take you there) oh yeah yeah yee
(It's like a dream to me) whoa oh-oh

Just like a prayer, your voice can take me there (just like a prayer)
Just like a muse to me, you are a mystery (your voice can take me there)
Just like a dream, you are not what you seem (just like a prayer)
Just like a prayer, no choice your voice can take me there

Just like a prayer, your voice can take me there (just like a prayer)
Just like a muse to me, you are a mystery (your voice can take me there)
Just like a dream, you are not what you seem (just like a prayer)
Just like a prayer, no choice your voice can take me there

your voice can take me there
(Your voice can take me there) just like a prayer
(Just like a prayer)
(Just like a prayer)
(Your voice can take me there)
(Just like a prayer)
(Just like a prayer)
(Your voice can take me there)
(Just like a prayer)