Kelly Clarkson took “Monster Mash” in a strikingly different direction for a Halloween performance on The Kelly Clarkson Show in 2022. The familiar novelty song became a darker, more dramatic rock arrangement during a “Kellyoke” segment, trading much of the original’s playful feel for a haunting atmosphere.
The song, written and recorded by Bobby “Boris” Pickett, first appeared in 1962. It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a recurring fixture of Halloween playlists. Its longevity was underlined in 2021, when it returned to the chart at No. 37, nearly six decades after its debut.
A different mood for a familiar song
Clarkson’s performance was staged in an eerie forest setting, and she wore a Halloween costume. But the biggest change was musical: instead of preserving the original’s novelty-pop character, the arrangement gave the song a heavier, more theatrical edge.
Clarkson delivered the new version with force, including high notes that put her vocals at the center of the reworking. The altered sound made the song feel less like a goofy party number and more like a dramatic Halloween set piece, while leaving its recognizable tune intact.
The performance offered a fresh take on a song many listeners already knew well. Rather than simply revisiting the original, Clarkson used the “Kellyoke” stage to shift its atmosphere and showcase a different interpretation of the seasonal standard.
Viewers respond to the makeover
Comments on the original YouTube performance video praised the arrangement and Clarkson’s version. The video has since been deleted, but reactions quoted at the time included viewers welcoming the rock treatment and describing the rendition as a new dimension for the song.
That response reflected the appeal of the contrast: “Monster Mash” is closely associated with playful Halloween fun, while Clarkson’s cover leaned into a more ominous, theatrical sound. The change gave the old hit a distinct identity without losing its connection to the original.
The 2022 performance remains a notable Halloween moment from The Kelly Clarkson Show. For listeners returning to the classic—or looking for another seasonal interpretation—Clarkson’s version offers a reminder of how much a familiar song’s mood can change through a new arrangement.
