Kelly Clarkson vs Whitney Houston

[K Newman]

So Whitney's 1990 version is considered the greatest. And every year that remains. Did Kelly Clarkson's great performance put an end to Whitney's reign? Did she do better than Whitney?

[Envoirment]

Saw this coming. While Kelly's rendition was great, Whitney's was AMAZING. So went with Whitney.

[dbhmr]

There's still a magic to Whitney's, and while I do think some of that has been fueled over the years from its endless praise and rightful place as the gold standard of anthems, it's almost completely warranted with those flawless vocals and dramatic arrangement. It's almost unbeatable because enough people have claimed it to be, but always lives up to the hype.

I think Kelly deserves to be a part of this conversation, but comparisons get tricky because only one sang it live. I think Whitney's is better as a general rendition, but I think Kelly's is the more impressive performance.

All that being said, the Dixie Chicks performed a hauntingly beautiful rendition that is often overlooked (though that was likely lipped, as well). These three are the best renditions I've heard.

[Deleted]

Kelly did an absolutely phenomenal job on the anthem, but Whitney's version is untouchable. I also LOVED the Dixie Chick's version as well; it's a shame it's so overlooked.

[neally]

Feb 5, 2012 19:55:55 GMT -5 dbhmr said:

There's still a magic to Whitney's, and while I do think some of that has been fueled over the years from its endless praise and rightful place as the gold standard of anthems, it's almost completely warranted with those flawless vocals and dramatic arrangement. It's almost unbeatable because enough people have claimed it to be, but always lives up to the hype.

I think Kelly deserves to be a part of this conversation, but comparisons get tricky because only one sang it live. I think Whitney's is better as a general rendition, but I think Kelly's is the more impressive performance.

All that being said, the Dixie Chicks performed a hauntingly beautiful rendition that is often overlooked (though that was likely lipped, as well). These three are the best renditions I've heard.

Could not have said it better. Honestly and truly unbiasedly, I believe that Whitney's recorded version was slightly better than Kelly's live version, but the difficulty level of Kelly's is markedly raised by the live element, thus I vote for Kelly.

[K Newman]

I also loved the Dixie Chicks version. Their harmonies were gorgeous.

[jdanton2]

Whitney by far . Kelly's was so underwhelming for me.

[Jay]

I agree with all the praise for the Dixie Chicks' rendition. They are so underrated and seriously fantastic. Besides them, Kelly and Whitney were the best. I prefer Kelly's the most of all, but I have no problem with Whitney winning this poll because her's was amazing as well, albeit not live.

[think pink.]

LOL

Whitney, not even close.

[hidizzyguy]

Whitney defined how this song should be sung.

[Deleted]

To be honest, I voted for Kelly.

Whitney's is legendary, but Kelly's was just as immaculate as hers. What gave her the edge is that she did it live.

[allow that]

Would this question even be coming up anywhere else? Damn Kelly is overrated here.

I'm not a Whitney fan but I agree that Whitney defined how the song should be sung. Even after 9/11, people looked to her song for comfort and patriotism when it was 11 years old. It's now 22 years old and it's still coming up. Will people be bringing up Kelly's rendition 22 years from now? Doubtful.

[carrieidol1]

Whitney.

I just couldn't vote against Whitney Houston. Whitney's version truly is untouchable. There's a magic in her rendition that makes you feel something so rare. It really is impossible to explain. Whitney's version is the standard for all renditions. I just don't see people comparing future anthem performances to Kelly's version like they do Whitney's. Whitney set the bar so high that even the best singers today just can't touch it.

There's Whitney



And then the rest. Kelly ranks highest among the rest, but Whitney sits way at the top.

[Jay]

All in all, I think Kelly did the best LIVE rendition of the National Anthem and Whitney did the best RECORDED rendition of the National Anthem. It's hard to accurately compare something pre-recorded in the studio with something being performed live in front of the whole country anxiously watching. Who's to say Whitney would have pulled it off nearly as well if she was in Kelly's place?

[hidizzyguy]

It being live has no bearing on me. If Kelly had a chance to pre-record her vocals, her rendition would have most likely still been as boring as it was live.

[Jay]

Feb 6, 2012 0:48:07 GMT -5 hidizzyguy said:

It being live has no bearing on me. If Kelly had a chance to pre-record her vocals, her rendition would have most likely still been as boring as it was live.

I thought you were a Kelly fan.

[hidizzyguy]

Feb 6, 2012 0:50:00 GMT -5 Jay said:

Feb 6, 2012 0:48:07 GMT -5 hidizzyguy said:

It being live has no bearing on me. If Kelly had a chance to pre-record her vocals, her rendition would have most likely still been as boring as it was live.

I thought you were a Kelly fan.

I'm not as big of a fan of hers on here as some of ya'll. I'm a much bigger Whitney fan.

And just on this poll, I'm a much HUGER fan of Whitney.

[carrieidol1]

Feb 6, 2012 0:48:07 GMT -5 hidizzyguy said:

It being live has no bearing on me. If Kelly had a chance to pre-record her vocals, her rendition would have most likely still been as boring as it was live.

How does one make the National Anthem fun or exciting?

[hidizzyguy]

Um....look at Whitney's version.

And I didn't say it had to be FUN or EXCITING. It's a ballad. I just think the way Kelly sang it was just safe and whatever. There have been more interesting versions of it - regardless of them being live or pre-recorded.

[carrieidol1]

Feb 6, 2012 0:53:17 GMT -5 hidizzyguy said:

Um....look at Whitney's version.

I find myself moved by both. I prefer Whitney's over Kelly's regardless of it being Live or not, as well. I just don't think Kelly's was "boring" at all. It was much more relaxed or modest, but not boring. JMHO.

[nightshade]

Kelly did it live and Whitney didn't. I voted for Kelly.

[hidizzyguy]

Feb 6, 2012 0:56:24 GMT -5 carrieidol1 said:

Feb 6, 2012 0:53:17 GMT -5 hidizzyguy said:

Um....look at Whitney's version.

I find myself moved by both. I prefer Whitney's over Kelly's regardless of it being Live or not, as well. I just don't think Kelly's was "boring" at all. It was much more relaxed or modest, but not boring. JMHO.

I understand...and I know I'm coming as bashing Kelly, as I so often do. But, they choose the best vocalists for these songs. So, for the most part, you can expect fairly well executed versions of this song. However, the Mariahs, the Whitneys, the Christinas (to some extent) are memorable because they are able to stamp their signature styles and make the songs their own.

Kelly did a great job vocally, she was spot on, and didn't miss a note.

[carrieidol1]

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree. I'm more for the traditional versions. I love when an artist makes a song their own, but when it comes to the National Anthem, I feel traditional is the way to go.

[nightshade]

Feb 6, 2012 0:58:33 GMT -5 hidizzyguy said:

Feb 6, 2012 0:56:24 GMT -5 carrieidol1 said:

I find myself moved by both. I prefer Whitney's over Kelly's regardless of it being Live or not, as well. I just don't think Kelly's was "boring" at all. It was much more relaxed or modest, but not boring. JMHO.

I understand...and I know I'm coming as bashing Kelly, as I so often do. But, they choose the best vocalists for these songs. So, for the most part, you can expect fairly well executed versions of this song. However, the Mariahs, the Whitneys, the Christinas (to some extent) are memorable because they are able to stamp their signature styles and make the songs their own.

Kelly did a great job vocally, she was spot on, and didn't miss a note.

GOODBYE! Opinion invalidated.

[Love Plastic Love]

I agree with the poster that said Whitney defined how the song should be sung. I think that says it best.

[hidizzyguy]

Feb 6, 2012 1:06:34 GMT -5 nightshade said:

Feb 6, 2012 0:58:33 GMT -5 hidizzyguy said:

I understand...and I know I'm coming as bashing Kelly, as I so often do. But, they choose the best vocalists for these songs. So, for the most part, you can expect fairly well executed versions of this song. However, the Mariahs, the Whitneys, the Christinas (to some extent) are memorable because they are able to stamp their signature styles and make the songs their own.

Kelly did a great job vocally, she was spot on, and didn't miss a note.

GOODBYE! Opinion invalidated.

I added the "to some extent" part because the reason why hers was memorable was because her signature style killed her version.

[clarksodi]

I think Whitney's version was flawless--her vocals, the orchestra accompanying her, the setting, and as many people have said, in the midst of the Gulf War. You could tell the energy in that stadium was special. I have to go with Whitney.

Now, KC's version is quite impressive. I love that she sang it live and I think she did a phenomenal job. I'd trade the 45 children in the choir for a full orchestra any day. I think that may have made it more iconic. I can see how having a "back up" may have helped ease her nerves. She was performing with them, not alone.

That said, I see Whitney as the one who set the standard for lipped National Anthems. On the other hand, I dare say that KC will be remembered for setting the standard for live National Anthems at the Super Bowl.

It's clear that the song is tough. Singing at the Super Bowl is tough. Singing it live and doing it well is incredibly challenging. I can't think of anyone else right now who may be up to the challenge. So, going forward, I do think KC will be the one people compare new acts to.

[grouper6]

Why is this even a question? Whitney's version is and remains the Gold Standard some 20+years later. She redefined how the SSB is sung and most singers after her have tried to copy her arrangement or one up her to either fail or fall flat.

This live thing is a non-sequiter! She was told she had to lip because so much could go wrong with the planes flying above, the wind, etc. However, one only have to look at her bulging veings to know that she sang her heart out to the the track live. In addition, she sant it live at her Welcome Home Heroes HBO concert which is also right up there.

Whitney remains the gold standard. the fact that her version is the only version to chart on the Billboard charts and is in I believe a goverment museum says alot. kelly did good but nothing daring or memorable to me, just safe.

[floridagrl]

Whitney lipped her version at the SB. But it was brilliant nonetheless.

[clarksonnumber1]

Whitney lip synching tells me that she has no confidence she could do it well live. I don't care for lip synched performances at all and I wish it was banned altogether, so Kelly wins easily.