Photo: Courtesy of NBC.
Woah, Nelly! There is major d-r-a-m-a in the hills that are alive with the sound of music. Two American Idol divas have both sung their renditions of Rodgers & Hammerstein's "My Favorite Things," and a battle of the faves has begun.
Between Clarkson's Kelly Clarkson's Cautionary Christmas Music Tale special (a.k.a. a giant concert for her Wrapped in Red LP) and Underwood's live (!) rendition of The Sound of Music, NBC got an earful of the good ole classic. Yet, for whatever reason, fans of both respective artists are going at it — arguing over who did it better. Granted that, yes, both of these NBC specials had their downfalls (Clarkson's has been billed as one big shade-fest, and TSOML! received Sharknado-reactions), but it doesn't warrant a "your fave could never" argument.
Both versions (plus the OG) are below. Underwood's classic take is nice. It pays homage to the original and inimitable Julie Andrews performance while sticking true to Underwood's aesthetic. Clarkson's is a full-blown jazz-pop medley that revamps the track rather than reduces it to another hodgepodge cover. At the end of the day, "My Favorite Things" is one big list of twee Etsy and Tumblr finds that lends itself to reinterpretation (or, in Internet terms, repins and reblogs). Take 'em at face value, enjoy, and move on. There are bigger halls to deck this season than a shade-filled one. (Broadway World)