Kelly Clarkson created a really special moment with her 9-year-old daughter River Rose by singing her hit “Heartbeat Song” as a duet live. The pair sang the synth-pop banger at Clarkson’s second last performance of her Chemistry residency at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas. Clarkson and River Rose were looking classy in formal dresses and looked into each other’s eyes as they sang, clearly having a ball together onstage.
Clarkson chose “Heartbeat Song”, as it’s her daughter’s favourite song, and River Rose held down the fort well as she joined her voice together with her mum. Clarkson’s voice is a lot louder in the mix, although you can hear River Rose in the verse and the bridge, where the pair sang together as the rest of the band dropped out. Check out the video below, which has gained 1.5 million views.
Clarkson told the crowd that she asked River Rose what song she wanted to sing on tour, saying “she’s been jamming this song since she was a baby – she loves this song so much. So she was like ‘can I sing this song’ please.” The star added that River Rose picked her own dress and then invited her onstage to sing, noting that the youngster “killed it” during soundcheck.
Fans really appreciated seeing mum and daughter rock out together, adding comments such as “That’s a moment she will never forget. The first time she got to go on stage with her mom” and “A star is born! Kelly gave River Rose the confidence to get up there and sing her heart out. That’s what we love about you Kelly!” The following night at the residency, Clarkson invited River Rose to sing again, and for extra cuteness, her 7-year-old brother Remington Alexander also joined in.
Both of Clarkson’s children came out of her marriage to her then-manager Brandon Blackstock. The couple married on October 20, 2013, and River Rose and Remington Alexander were born in June 2014 and April 2016 respectively. The couple’s divorce was finalised in March 2022, after a protracted process that played out in the headlines.
“Heartbeat Song” was the lead single from Clarkson’s seventh studio album Piece by Piece. The single was quite well-received, going Platinum in the US, and becoming her biggest hit in the past decade. The tune went to number one on the US Dance Club Songs chart, and hit the top 10 on numerous national charts around the world.
“Heartbeat Song” was written by songwriters Mitch Allan, Kara DioGuardi, Jason Evigan and Audra Mae, although the provenance of the song later caused controversy. Critics noted that the chords and melody bore a striking resemblance to Jimmy Eat World’s 2001 alternative rock hit “The Middle”.
Clarkson commented on the controversy, saying “I didn’t write the song, I just sang it. But I didn’t catch that. Nobody behind the scenes did… I thought it was really cool of Jimmy Eat World to say, ‘Hey, no harm, no foul.’ There are only so many chords.” It seems that despite having a reasonable chance of success in the courtroom, Jimmy Eat World did not pursue the case, and the songwriting credits for “Heartbeat Song” still do not list the band as co-writers.