Kelly Clarkson honors Martin Luther King Jr. Day with cover of U2's 'Pride'

Kelly Clarkson honors the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. with a special performance.

On Monday's episode The Kelly Clarkson Showcoinciding with MLK Day, the singer performed a cover of U2's “Pride (In the Name of Love),” the song Bono wrote, in part, about the civil rights leader.

“A man comes in the name of love/One comes and goes/One comes he to justify/One to overthrow,” Clarkson sang. “In the name of love / What more in the name of love.”

“Pride (In the Name of Love)” began as an answer to Ronald Reagan's military leadership, but as the song evolved, Bono found a more hopeful figure for the lyrics: King and his leadership during the civil rights movement.

“Early in the morning, the fourth of April/There's a gunshot in the Memphis sky/Free at last, they took your life/They couldn't take your pride,” Bono sang in the third verse, referencing MLK's assassination and “I Have a Dream” ” speech. (MLK was shot on the night of April 4, 1968, and Bono has since addressed his mistake in lyrics, often singing “Early in the afternoon» during live performances. Clarkson also changed it to “evening”.)

The 1984 single came a year after Reagan signed a bill making the third Monday in January a federal holiday honoring King's legacy. The first time it was observed was on January 20, 1986.

“[He] kept us true to peace and community. He made us believe in joy and justice.” Bono said of Martin Luther King Jr. on MLK Day 2021. “He showed us the way to a common humanity. Dr. King's voice is louder today than ever. He is one of the true fathers of our American dream.”

Clarkson's cover of “Pride (In the Name of Love)” isn't the first time Clarkson has performed a U2 song on her talk show. Back in 2021, he sang “Nice day,” and last year, he played “I Still Have not Found What I'm Looking ForAmid the Black Lives Matter protests.

Last week, the singer delivered a tender rendition of Miley Cyrus' “Used to Be Young.”