As the holiday season approaches, people start getting into the festive spirit with music, movies, and decorations. However, this year, host Kelly Clarkson decided to switch things up by creating a Dolly Parton-inspired holiday episode. Parton, the country music legend, has been an inspiration for Clarkson, who even performed Parton’s “Hard Candy Christmas” on her show, which was originally released on the 1984 holiday album “Once Upon a Christmas,” featuring Kenny Rogers.
The inspiration for this unique holiday episode came from Parton’s acting career. She starred in a movie musical that featured “Hard Candy Christmas,” and later released her own version, which became a massive hit. Despite the unconventional lyrics, it resonated with audiences because it evokes memories of a time when families could only afford to give hard candy to their children during the holidays.
Clarkson has had her fair share of personal struggles, especially regarding her past marriage, and has expressed herself through music. She chose to perform “Hard Candy Christmas” during the pandemic, which meant that her band members had to be socially distant, and the usual Christmas tree decorations were restricted. Nevertheless, Clarkson’s warmth and presence were felt throughout the performance, charming audiences during those challenging times. Parton would undoubtedly be proud of the moment.
Clarkson isn’t the only artist to cover this lesser-known Parton hit during the holidays. It has also been performed by June Carter Cash, RuPaul, LeAnn Rimes, The Venture Bros., and Cyndi Lauper, among countless others over the years. However, Clarkson’s version has become a fan favorite, thanks to her powerful voice and emotional delivery.
