Kelly Clarkson delivered a powerful rendition of Foo Fighters’ classic “Learn to Fly” during a recent Kellyoke segment on The Kelly Clarkson Show.
By Website Content Manager
“Learn to Fly” was the lead single from the Foo Fighters’ 1999 album There Is Nothing Left to Lose. While not the official title track, the song captured the spirit of the album and became one of the band’s most recognizable hits. Its uplifting message and catchy melody helped solidify the Foo Fighters’ place in rock history and introduced the band to a broader audience.
Run and tell the angels — Kelly Clarkson brought Foo Fighters to Kellyoke in epic fashion!
On Thursday, April 3, Clarkson delivered a powerful and emotional take on the Foo Fighters’ 1999 hit “Learn to Fly” during her fan-favorite segment on The Kelly Clarkson Show.
Wearing a yellow tee and wide-leg dark denim jeans, the 42-year-old singer infused the alt-rock anthem with her signature powerhouse vocals. She soared through the chorus, belting:
“Now, I’m looking to the sky to save me / Looking for a sign of life / Looking for something to help me burn out bright. And I’m looking for a complication / Looking ’cause I’m tired of lyin’ / Make my way back home when I learn to fly high.”
After the performance, Clarkson walked offstage smiling and joked with the crowd, saying, “I just had like, a lot of caffeine and I’m just running hot.”
“I love the Foo Fighters,” Kelly Clarkson shared, reflecting on her connection to the band following her passionate Kellyoke performance of “Learn to Fly.” “A few years ago, we actually had Dave Grohl on the show and talked about that song. I thought it had all this deep meaning, and he was like, ‘No, I really just wanted to become a pilot.’”
Clarkson, clearly amused, called that response “b.s.” and laughed, “He’s just trying to be funny about this deep song.”
“It’s such a cool song. He’s poetic. Just lean into it, Dave,” she added. “You can be a pilot and a poet!”
Though commonly associated with the Foo Fighters’ signature style, “Learn to Fly” also served as the lead single from their third studio album, There Is Nothing Left to Lose.
Clarkson’s Foo Fighters tribute came during a milestone week for The Kelly Clarkson Show, as the Emmy-winning host celebrated the show’s 1,000th episode. During the April 3 episode, Clarkson greeted her audience with a heartfelt message:
“Welcome to The Kelly Clarkson Show and our 1,000th episode,” she said. “I can’t believe today marks 1,000. It’s crazy.”
She went on to reflect on how much the show has grown since its debut on NBC on September 9, 2019, and expressed gratitude for the bond she shares with her team and audience. “We’ve created a community and supported each other through a lot of ups and downs,” she said.
“A lot of ups and downs personally as well,” Kelly Clarkson joked, hinting at her own life experiences with a knowing smile.
Reflecting on the journey of The Kelly Clarkson Show during its 1,000th episode celebration, she shared, “For 1,000 episodes, we have laughed together, we have cried together with beautiful stories, sang together with some people, danced together, celebrated and competed together.”
With her trademark candor, she added, “I’ve lost, alone, a lot.” When the audience let out a surprised laugh, Clarkson quickly responded with a reassuring, “It’s OK,” showing her ability to keep things light while acknowledging the emotional weight behind her words.