Kelly Clarkson Goes ’90s With Cover of ‘Flagpole Sitta’ on ‘Kellyoke’

Kelly Clarkson has a gift for taking any song—no matter the genre—and making it feel fresh, but her latest Kellyoke cover might be one of her most unexpected yet.

On today’s episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show, she took on Harvey Danger’s alt-rock anthem “Flagpole Sitta,” a track packed with anxious, anti-establishment energy that became a defining song of the late ’90s.

As always, Clarkson and her backing band, My Band Y’all, delivered a full-throttle performance, leaning into the song’s frenetic energy and wry, self-aware lyrics.

Released as the debut single from Harvey Danger’s 1997 album Where Have All the Merrymakers Gone?, “Flagpole Sitta” became an unexpected hit. The song shot to No. 3 on Billboard’s Alternative Airplay chart, peaked at No. 38 on the Hot 100 chart, and made appearances across multiple other Billboard charts.

Its snarky, disaffected lyrics perfectly captured late-’90s youth culture, making it a staple on alternative radio stations and securing its place in pop culture history.

The track became even more iconic when it was featured in the 1999 teen comedy American Pie, blasting over one of the film’s chaotic party scenes. It also found a second life in the 2000s, being rediscovered through TV shows like Peep Show.

Meanwhile, Kelly Clarkson’s Kellyoke segment has turned into one of the most beloved parts of The Kelly Clarkson Show, with the singer tackling everything from pop divas to classic rock anthems. But “Flagpole Sitta” might be one of her most delightfully unhinged choices yet.

Clarkson didn’t just cover the song—she completely embodied it, channeling its nervous energy with her powerhouse vocals while keeping the raw, slightly manic edge that made the original so memorable.

The instrumentation stayed true to the alt-rock sound, with distorted guitars and driving drums keeping up the pace. Even Clarkson’s delivery had an extra bite, proving she can just as easily tap into her rock side as she can belt out a soaring ballad.

For longtime fans of Kellyoke, this isn’t the first time Clarkson has dipped into the alternative rock world. She’s previously covered songs from The Killers, Smashing Pumpkins, Kings of Leon, and Foo Fighters.

Watch Clarkson’s rendition of Harvey Danger’s “Flagpole Sitta” below.