Hats off to the piano player for perfectly adjusting to her pauses while she was emotional.

As a stepfather of a daughter who was six when her parents divorced, this song wrecks me. She's going to turn 28 in a few weeks and being part of her life is the greatest gift I've ever been given.

I always admire a man who's not afraid to show his emotions. Showing emotion is not showing weakness.

Keith Urban is the real deal. What a great man.

Best piano player ever! He stayed with Kelly through that emotional performance. Kudos to both Kelly and him!

She apologizes for the tears but doesn't realize how much more powerful they make this performance

One of the BEST artists ever to come out of American Idol!!!! This woman has been so blessed with such a soul grabbing, deep spiritual voice, that no matter what she's singing, my whole body is overwhelmed with emotions and chills, every single song she sings.. God continue to bless you with success Ms. Clarkson..love you❤👏🙏❤️

My father left when I was 10 years old and I'm still shattered. My mother never remarried nor even dated after the divorce. She devoted herself to raising me and my younger brother. ❤ I absolutely love you! You are my HERO, mommy!

I was at this performance and there was not a dry eye in the building. This performance had every one of us crying and even all these years later, it still brings tears to my eyes..

This song is the most raw, honest song I have ever heard. She put it all out there for us, which most artists don't....PRICELESS

For those of us who could never put into words how it feels to have a disinterested, unavailable father, this song hits you in the soul.

I was driving with my 11yr old grandson and this song came on. I saw tears in his eyes. His mother left him 4yrs ago. His father is raising him alone ❤

I love how she dances when her vocals start to shake. She is filled with so much self-love, she doesn't get embarrassed, she just dances through it. You go, Queen!

Such an amazing performance. The unsong hero in this is the pianist, he was realyl in touch with her response and managed to complement her. Keith...wow...He's worked in the shoes of the man she's singing about.

This!! Is for my step father who came into my life when I was 7 and never left, until the day I held his hand as he passed away from cancer. I left my job and was able to take care of him the last year of his life. I miss you Pops! 😢

What a beautiful performance. I just want to shout out the accompanist for elite improvisational playing in the moment where Kelly breaks down. Excellent support to her and following her lead, which is kinda symbolic of what the song represents.

It breaks my heart that her husband didn't do the work, to stay after this song for her and her kids. Stay strong Kelly Clarkson! 💜

Kelly, I know you will probably never read this, but I have to tell you, this song moves me to tears every time I hear it.When I was 6 years old, my parents divorced, and my father left me wondering what I had done wrong. 2 years later, an incredible man called Steve Lively, whom I'd known since I was three, married my mom, and he became the one to show me a father could stay and that I deserved to be put first. I think of him everytime I hear it, and even though he's been gone for close to 12 years now, he will always have an extremely special place in my heart.

Love how the pianist followed her perfectly !! Great job Sir !! No words for how wonderful and moving Kelly's performance was......You go Girl !!

At 61 I still feel the hurt and betrayal of both unloving parents and an abused lonely childhood. No matter how old you are, if you are blessed to have parents or even just one parent that you know loves you and has sacrificed for your happiness and wellbeing, let them know you love them and appreciate the life they have given you

She didn't write that, she lived it n she made us experience it, Phenomenal

...how the pianist guarded over her, his pacing pushed her to exceed beyond her emotions, just as she wanted...thank you for sharing Kelly

I love Keith Urban even more after seeing his reaction here . Love you ❤Kelly

I’m 75 and my dad died when I was seventeen. Oh, the tears were flowing. You touched my soul Kelly Clarkson.

Shout out to that piano player, respect man, your apart of this beautiful performance

She is definitely the best singer that has ever been on American Idol. Her voice is fantastic and beautiful!!

Keith Urban is so authentic. Not the biggest fan of his music but I love him regardless, he deserves his success.

I'm 63 yrs old! There's so much pain and hurt in the words of this song and what's more I can relate! I've watched this video a lot and I CRY every time! 😢

That piano man was perfect. He did such a great job supporting her.

Keith Urban - powerful reaction. What a man!

Kieth and Kelly are not alone in their tears. This is the first time I have heard this. Bawling my eyes out. My sister and I were what we call throw away children. Love Y’all God Bless Y’all 😊

When she sings about real feelings she takes my breath away. Kelly is so gifted!! Thank-you! Kelly you are a gift to us all.

I love Keith. he is a true human being able to relate to the emotions of this song. may he live a long and happy life with his wife and kids, and never lose his ability to live and care about his fellow humans!!

Kelly is an American Idol for many reasons. This is one of them. The performance was just Kelly and a piano accompaniment so you could feel the emotions with every single lyric she sang. Her facial expressions also told the story, and she continued that stage presence throughout the entire song. There wasn't a dry eye in the house.

Mad props to the guy on piano, who made this great. If he didn't keep pausing and doing little runs on the same chords, this would have seemed out of rhythm and awful, instead of the beautiful moment it was. Calling out the true musicians. The man on the piano felt and lived in the moment. Pause for a moment to understand that.

1rst and still the best Idol winner hands down

She sings from experience and hurt. So talented. My heart breaks for her sad memories. I hit the lottery with my Dad! He thought I hung the moon. He’s been gone 4 years now and I miss him so much every day.

To me she is the greatest AMERICAN IDOL winner 🙌🏼🙌🏼

The first time my daughter heard this song she was in tears. Her story!! He did not show up to her 15th birthday party to do the father daughter vals. She’s 25 now and she has overcome abandonment!! ❤

Kelly is not only beyond incredibly talented, she is such a strong woman, so very down to Earth, hilarious, and someone I truly admire and look up. Kelly! You are your generation's example of what today's woman is. You are the bomb!! Love you much!! ❤

Thus song is for all the little girls, whose fathers left them behind....IT MATTERS💗Sometimes, no matter how much a Mother tries to fill that void, it is never enough! Thank you, Kelly for all you do for us🤗😘🎶

There will never be another Kelly Clarkson."❤💯

One thing everyone should note here is her level of professionalism. Every time she missed a note she started right back where she left off instead of skipping lyrics and staying with the tune. The piano player also should get huge props for his performance here.. This reminds me of a story I heard about a wedding DJ who found out his mom died as the wedding ceremony was starting. He continued to do his job, even announcing the couples grand entrance, until a backup DJ arrived. Kelly showed her true colors here, that she's not only a good voice with an emotional sway, but she's a top-notch professional live performer.

I am an orphan. Never been touched so deeply as I have been by your voice, your heart and your song, Ms Clarkson. Thank you.

Their are two people who are hard to cry, Simon and Keith if you can make them cry ur doing a damn good job

My daughter was 6 yrs old & my son was 10 yrs old when their father left us for another woman and her children. He had the nerve to tell my son that he was happy with his new family. After that, we've been the Three Musketeers forever ❤️💙💜 My daughter heard this song a few years later and it pretty much defines how she feels about her Dad leaving. I cried more for their pain than I did for myself. It hurt my heart to see them so heartbroken.

I really loved Kelly. She has a golden talent. No auto tune no make up. Just her God gifts voice❤

I cry every time I see this! Kelly is amazing and the pianist is so, so good!

Absolutely awesome. Gotta respect Kelly for that raw emotion, let alone that voice, the piano player for his spot on reading of her needs, and Keith for not hiding his reactions.

Rewatching this breaks my heart even more knowing she divorced her husband and her kids are dealing with the pain of a broken home. Especially her ex who treated her so badly during the divorce. She didn’t deserve that heart break from her ex. She’s an amazingly strong woman!

I know what this feels like. My daddy left when I was 4 years old. We flew a kite together and then he left. I didn't see him again until I was almost in high school. By then, I had a "stepfather" who came into my life and showed me what it was like to be cared for. He was the only man aside from my PawPaw that was in my life and never left, until he had to in 2016. Mama went to be with him last year, almost 6 years to the exact date in the same month. I am blessed.

This song really hit home with me. I am 62 now and last saw my father when I was 6yrs old. I watched him leave out of a window, not knowing that I would never see him again.

I think We're all falling apart right now, not just Keith Urban.

The first American idol and arguably the best! What an amazing moving performance.

I love Keith Urban he is such an emotional beautiful hearted man that loves his wife and his family. What a great man he is ❤

Kelly you should never apologize for your performance singing that song. I cried I felt your pain. Like you and so many others . My dad left when I was 3 . But I remembered him and I carried a little girl's pain all my life. Then at 19 years old. I got a call from a stranger saying he wanted to see me. Long story short. I went to his dying bedside. He lived two more years. I reached out to him through calls and letters. Not one time did he pick up the phone and call me or ever write to me. So here I am 71 years old and still crying those little girls tears. As I stood by the fence as he walked away. Love the song.💔 ( Still broke )

most emotional and raw performance I've ever seen. It never fails to bring my to tears. 💔😩😪

There were other great winners and contestants on American Idol, but to me, Kelly is THE Idol. Her pianist Jason is also 💯. Everything was perfect in this performance. Vocal talent and emotion.

Amazing Mom, an amazing singer, hard worker and a beautiful woman, Kelly is a great storyteller.

I watch this performance periodically always thinking nah im not gonna cry this time.. and ofcourse always end up bawling 😭

My dad committed suicide when I was just 7. Today at 31, it still haunts me. I never had a man who restored my faith. Thank you, Kelly. You never know how much this song and this performance meant to me.

As a 47 year old father of 4 kid's and 4 grandkids, I could not imagine walking away from them. When I saw this, it brought me to tears. You can see the emotion, and know this is true in her life. This was such a beautiful performance from Kelly. I felt for her

So brave of Kelly to be able to sing this song. It’s gets me every time I watch and Keith is crying. I love this version of this song. To all those broken families xxx

My brother fell in love and married a beautiful widow who had three little girls. Later, they had a son together. My brother raised those girls like they were his own. They called him "Dad" and loved him very much. Covid took him because he worked in a hospital. At that time, there was still no vaccine available. They still miss him so much, and this song touched my heart on so many levels because it reminded me of them. Yes, there are true heroes out there and they should be recognized more often.

She just keeps getting better and better like an opera singer… I’ll always love you Kelly, the first winner of American Idol 💜

This is a tremendous performance; a real gem. Thanks to Kelly Clarkson for giving it all she had and not holding back.

6 yrs later and this song and video still makes me cry. Love KC & KU.

This magnificent performance by Kelly and the sincere reactions by millions proves there is still love and compassion in this world!

Kelly is like having a conversation to her audience.... 😥😢

4 years and I still can’t watch it without crying

Sometimes it's so hard to watch an artist sing a song that is so personal. Keith has a sweet heart ❤️

I nearly hold my breath during most of this song. I remember when it aired and this clip. Just viewed it again and the emotion is still there.

Such a powerful song..most artists tear up singing this…I’m only an amateur, but sang it for my uncle Steve as he lay dying from lymphoma, never sick a day in his life, had a sore shoulder, went to the doctor, he was given 3 weeks, he lasted only 10 days, and was only a very youthful 63 (I was 49 at the time)…I was a puddle, but somehow got through it…did it again, by his request, at his funeral…oh my god, the entire congregation started sobbing uncontrollably only half way through the song, I couldn’t finish it, so we played a pre-recorded version I sang in the studio, 2 days before his funeral, because I knew I wouldn’t get through it (he was also my godfather, I loved him dearly, it broke me in half when he died so suddenly). I knew I’d have a hard time doing it again, especially at his funeral as I stood beside his body laying in an open coffin, I didn’t expect everyone there, including the priest, and all the staff, to sob a gut wrenching cry of pure sorrow and agony. I wanted to leave the song out, I knew it would evoke strong emotions, but never dreamed it would be that bad. But, it’s what he asked for, and I wasn’t going to let him down…but it was just too painful, I had to literally run away, and just bawl my eyes out in my car, I didn’t want everyone to see me fall apart, and disrupt his funeral…it was all about him, my emotions were besides the point. When I finally composed myself after about 10 minutes, I re-entered the chapel, only to find the entire congregation still sobbing, but we got through it, and honoured him the best we could, Rest In Peace uncle Steve, I miss you more then words could ever say xoxoxoxoxoxo 😰😰😰😰😰😰😰😰

I’m glad to have had the fortune to watch Kelly go from “Since you’ve been gone” to this. Not a lot of vocal talent out there like her; this is masterclass...

Wow everyone is crying 😢 very powerful emotional song superbly done Kelly.

I have helped to raise 7 boys over the last 40+ years- none of them my biological children. Doesn’t matter, never did. I love them all and will be part of their lives ALWAYS. 🙏🏼❤️

As a father of 3 adopted children this song hits me. Impossible to listen to without tearing up.

Songs can evoke so many powerful emotions in people. Artists who are up on a stage performing can get lost in them just like Kelly did here. Lyrics can break you open in very unexpected ways...that's what music does. Music is not just a melody or a lyric, it's life.

Kelly, your voice is perfection. These lyrics…and Keith’s reaction. So sweet ❤

Kelly Clarkson was born with this amazing gift to this world to share her amazing voice,,,❤❤ A pure pleasure to watch and listen to this amazing super star,,❤❤❤❤❤ Kelly you are a joy to watch always,,,❤❤❤❤

Ah her emotion just makes this 100000 times more touching

This woman can sing anything, just give her the phonebook, I love her voice and her as a person

Never forget this, Kelly. We won't. You're an angel on earth.

When resilience meets grace. 💖

Kelly. I love this woman for all she is, as she is. I look at her different than others. Because she's real. Thank you Kelly.

One of the most powerful performances ever!

Her songs tell such a story. Her voice is amazing. She is amazing, real..such emotion. Truly honest. ❤ her.

Oh wow I have alot of respect for her, she was able to make it through and oh Keith Urban couldn't hold back bless his heart ❤️

Keith messes me up when I see him crying.😭

No matter how many times I watch this I always cry.

It’s a song of hope. We don’t have to repeat the sins of our fathers. I cry everytime I see this vid. It’s raw.

I adore this woman! So humble & never afraid to show her feelings. What a gift she is to us.

The judges as singers sense the struggle that was brewing up until she released that emotion...ouff!!

And that is why I is the 🐐 of all these talent shows and has had the success she has. Wow! That was phenomenal. 👏👏👏

Beautiful song, I can see why Keith Urban was emotional. 😭 ❤

This song touches the heart of every woman who's been abandoned by her father. Every word is magical, heartbreaking, and empowering. It's so sad that this song is so resonating with so many, myself included...shouldn't be that way.

Talk about emotional, I am crying. You can literally feel the pain that this song held, but it held faith and knowledge that though the biological father left, the new father never would. The child grew and through the love of the non-biological father learned what love really was and the kids come first. Great song.

If you can make it through this song without crying (and I’ve listened numerous times without being able to), there’s something wrong with your heart.😢❤️

Doesn’t matter how many times I watch this performance of this song and I bawl my eyes out every time.

She is incredible and definitely feels what she sings. Love her!