While acclaimed singer-songwriter Edwin McCain has been steadily making music for 30 years, he'll always be known as the man behind "I'll Be," one of the most enduring love songs of the '90s. So it shouldn't have been a huge surprise when Kelly Clarkson decided to cover the hit song as part of her super-popular Kellyoke series — but McCain still seemed unprepared for the honor in a recent video.
McCain took to TikTok this week to share a clip of himself watching Clarkson belt out the 1998 hit on her eponymous talk show on Wednesday, June 4. The beloved musician beamed and nodded with appreciation throughout as Clarkson hit every note with ease, waving his arms and pumping his fist. Watch!
Fans in the comments were thrilled to see Clarkson pay her respects to the classic song, but many preferred the original.
"Edwin, I love Kelly but no one sings this song like you," one person wrote, with another declaring, "Sometimes I think you forgot how iconic YOU are too."
"Kelly sings it well, but it doesn't have the rush of memories that flow with your original version. You can't replace a moment in time with a newer version," somebody explained, as someone else raved, "You created a timeless, beautiful piece of art. How cool it must be to have your work still so appreciated."
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