Kelly Clarkson has never been shy about her musical tastes, and during a recent episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show, the pop powerhouse revealed her three favourite albums of all time — with her signature humour and candour.
According to Billboard, the conversation unfolded as Clarkson walked viewers through the backstage area of her talk show, where framed covers of her biggest influences line the walls. She pointed to Lauryn Hill’s The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill — the Grammy-winning 1998 debut that topped the Billboard 200 — declaring that if people don’t like it, “you’re an idiot.” Clarkson explained that Hill’s record was one of the reasons she became a songwriter, praising its authenticity and timeless storytelling.
When it came to her top three picks, Clarkson first named Patty Griffin’s 2002 classic 1000 Kisses as a defining favourite. “I love her so much. Her storytelling, her voice, her tone, her musicianship… the timing. She just does everything so beautiful,” she said of Griffin, adding that she was first introduced to the artist’s music by former boyfriend Graham Colton. Clarkson joked that while the relationship didn’t last, the discovery of Griffin’s music “changed my life.”
Next up was a nod to Irish icons U2, whose 1998 compilation The Best of 1980–1990 holds a special place in Clarkson’s heart. “I saw them at Madison Square Garden and it was the most insane show of my life — like a spiritual experience,” she recalled. Clarkson praised the band’s ability to balance the sacred and the everyday, saying, “Sometimes you’re like, ‘is he talking about a woman? Is he talking about God? Is he just stoned and having a good time?’ I don’t know, but I’m in.”
Finally, Clarkson rounded out her list with Lauryn Hill’s The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. She reminisced about buying the CD with her own money and listening to it nonstop on her Walkman as a teenager. “It wasn’t just the vocals,” she said. “It was so clever, but not processed. It felt organic. Real.” The album, she explained, taught her about the importance of writing music that’s “authentic and believable.”
As Billboard notes, Clarkson’s selections reveal a deep appreciation for artistry and emotional honesty. As she put it, “I hope you like them. If you don’t, you’re dumb.” Decades into her career, her eclectic influences remain as diverse and heartfelt as her own voice.
