The internet exploded and Idol nation shed tears together as original winner, Kelly Clarkson, appeared live on the American Idol Top 10 performance show Thursday night to sing the emotion-filled title track to her latest album, Piece by Piece.
UPDATE: Click to download the song from iTunes
The singer could barely keep it together, starting and stopping a few times near the end of the heartrending song about her father abandoning her as a child, to wipe away tears. She blamed her emotions on being pregnant, coupled with the nostalgia of American Idol’s last season.
There was barely a dry eye in the room, indeed, judge Keith Urban and Top 10 finalist, La’Porsha Renae had tears running down their cheeks! But the next morning, “Piece by Piece” had shot to #1 on iTunes.
Watch: Kelly Clarkson Delivers an Emotional “Piece by Piece” on American Idol
“I am still overwhelmed and in shock from last night. The response to ‘Piece By Piece’ has me in tears,” the singer said in a statement on Friday. “To say last night was nostalgic would be an understatement. It was an unforgettable moment and to have my family and friends there with me made it even more magical.”
As of early Sunday morning, “Piece by Piece” still sits atop the all genre iTunes chart. The song was released as the third single from the album last fall, but didn’t make a major impact on the charts until Kelly’s poignant performance on American Idol.
Stripped of instrumentation and production, the acoustic piano arrangement gave Kelly the space to deliver an intimate rendition of a highly personal song, which finally allowed it to resonate with listeners. The success of he performance sent Kelly into the studio on Friday to cut a new acoustic version of the song. YES!
Recording the version of Piece By Piece today we performed on @AmericanIdol last night! No rest for the emotional! pic.twitter.com/DjaGGCfnMl
— Kelly Clarkson (@kelly_clarkson) February 27, 2016
In the meantime, the celebrity accolades kept pouring in:
@sethmeyers ha! I woke up to this tweet ….and tell your friend sometimes we all need a good cry :)
— Kelly Clarkson (@kelly_clarkson) February 27, 2016
@trishayearwood compliments from you will NEVER get old #whatislife
— Kelly Clarkson (@kelly_clarkson) February 27, 2016
@VanessaLachey this tweet makes me so happy for you and your family :)
— Kelly Clarkson (@kelly_clarkson) February 27, 2016
@joshgroban thank you! Crying on national television, not my favorite. #emotionalpreggerproblems
— Kelly Clarkson (@kelly_clarkson) February 27, 2016
@ddlovato wow, what a compliment?! #daymade #texasgirls
— Kelly Clarkson (@kelly_clarkson) February 27, 2016
@tyleroakley thank you! ….and I'm sorry for making you cry haha
— Kelly Clarkson (@kelly_clarkson) February 27, 2016
@PTXofficial thanks guys ….and girl :)
— Kelly Clarkson (@kelly_clarkson) February 27, 2016
@SarahMGellar thanks girl! Performing pregnant and emotional apparently leads to embarrassing tears on national television!
— Kelly Clarkson (@kelly_clarkson) February 27, 2016
@Pink thanks girl. Means the world coming from you!
— Kelly Clarkson (@kelly_clarkson) February 27, 2016
And then there was THIS. DAAAANNNGGGG.
That moment u turn around & Paul McCartney's talking 2 my little girl n my arms &then touches my belly & says hi 2 the little one on the way
— Kelly Clarkson (@kelly_clarkson) February 26, 2016
Seriously, just met Paul McCartney & he was very cool, unassuming, & everything you'd want him 2 be. River has no clue how cool that was ha!
— Kelly Clarkson (@kelly_clarkson) February 26, 2016
