The performance started as a heartbreaking post-divorce moment, but it quickly turned into an unexpected, powerful reunion. When Kelly Clarkson sang Pink’s breakup anthem “Just Give Me a Reason” not long after her divorce, she had something up her sleeve which would give fans everywhere the chills. The song, which was issued by Pink on February 26, 2013, has sold in excess of four million digital units in the US and topped the charts in 21 countries. As Kelly sang the imploring lyrics over a violin ensemble, Pink suddenly stood up from the crowd and began singing in harmony. The surprising duet at the iHeartRadio Music Awards had many fans wishing for more collaborations from the two vocal powerhouses.
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The duet, which has drawn 2.2 million views on YouTube, was instantly praised for the sweet chemistry between the two artists. One fan favourite moment happened just after the one-minute mark, when Kelly delivered a heavenly vocal run. Pink jokingly waved her hand in response, as if to say “oh stop it, you,” which led to Kelly cracking a huge smile. Fans were really loving the duet and added comments such as, “I could totally relate to Pink’s reaction 1:05 to Kelly’s part. The way Kelly sang that line was so heartfelt and emotional and heartbreaking and beautiful,” and “You can see Kelly is feeling those lyrics. Her divorce album is out now and the pain is still there.”
An Anthem Built for Conversation
“Just Give Me a Reason,” which became Pink’s fourth single to top the Billboard Hot 100, was co-written by Pink, Jeff Bhasker, and Nate Ruess. Nate Ruess, of the band Fun, also appeared as a featured vocalist on the original track. The lyrics discuss a woman imploring her partner to fight for their relationship. Pink had brought Nate onboard for the song because she realized that the track needed to be presented in the format of a conversation between lovers, rather than a single perspective. Both Kelly and Pink have countless killer live performances. One live highlight from Pink that parallels the raw emotion of the duet came when she sang “Who Knew” in an acoustic session for 102.7 KIIS-FM. That stripped-back and intimate rendition, accompanied only by a lone guitarist, perfectly brought forward the raw emotions of the ballad, proving the lasting power of both singers’ incredible voices.