Garth Brooks moved to tears by Kelly Clarkson’s ‘The Dance’ cover

Kelly Clarkson has a way of making any song stand out, and her performance of Garth Brooks’ song “The Dance” left the country singer visibly emotional.

Garth Brooks has given many unforgettable performances in his career, but during the 2021 Kennedy Center Honors, he was on the receiving end of a special tribute. The 63-year-old singer, known as one of country music’s greatest artists, was deeply moved as Kelly Clarkson, James Taylor, Jimmie Allen, and Gladys Knight performed in his honor.

“There’s country music, rock, gospel, honky-tonk… and then there’s Garth Brooks,” said actor Bradley Cooper, who introduced the segment. “He broke barriers between music styles and changed country music forever.”

And the first artist to perform was Kelly Clarkson, who sang a powerful version of Brooks’ 1990 hit “The Dance.” It’s a song that Brooks has always said means a lot to him.

“There’s a song you always look forward to, like ‘The Dance.’ I could play it five times a night and still be happy,” Brooks shared in a 1994 interview.

He also once said, “‘The Dance’ will always be my greatest song. It’ll be my favorite forever.” The song talks about love, loss, and the fleeting moments of life.

Clarkson’s version likely made Brooks love it even more.

As soon as she started singing, the audience fell silent. Known for her strong vocals, Clarkson made the song her own, delivering a heartfelt and emotional performance. She was accompanied only by a piano, letting her voice take center stage.

Brooks, sitting in the audience with his wife, Trisha Yearwood, was seen holding the medallion he received that night. As the song went on, he wiped tears from his eyes.

As Clarkson’s voice reached its highest point, Brooks stood up. In a sign of deep respect, he removed his hat and placed his hand over his mouth, clearly moved by the moment.

People quickly reacted on social media.

“Flawless performance. You can tell Garth was emotional,” one person wrote.

Another said, “That was amazing. You could see how much it meant to him.”

Clarkson’s performance wasn’t just a song—it was a moment to remember.