Watch Kelly Clarkson Bring Back the Halloween Spirit with a Creepy Cover of Beetlejuice’s “Banana Boat (Day-O)”

As October’s chill sweeps through the air and pumpkins glow on porches across the country, Kelly Clarkson has once again proven she’s the undisputed queen of seasonal showmanship. On her talk show’s latest Halloween special, the Grammy-winning powerhouse delivered a performance that sent delightful shivers down viewers’ spines—a theatrical, spine-tingling cover of “Banana Boat (Day-O)” inspired by the eerie, eccentric world of Beetlejuice.

🕯️ A Spooky Spectacle Straight from the Netherworld

The moment Clarkson took the stage, audiences were whisked into a world that could have sprung straight from Tim Burton’s imagination. The set was transformed into a sprawling graveyard scene—complete with tombstones, skeletal figures, and an enormous animatronic sandworm weaving through the misty landscape. A towering prop of the “Handbook for the Recently Deceased” anchored the set, while flickering lamps and vintage desks evoked the otherworldly bureaucracy of the afterlife.

This wasn’t just a musical performance—it was immersive theater. Every inch of the stage radiated Beetlejuice’s chaotic charm, balancing the grotesque with the gleefully absurd. Even the lighting—deep purples, greens, and flashes of ghostly white—helped conjure a sense of gothic whimsy that set the perfect Halloween mood.

💀 Kelly’s Costume and Characters: A Tribute to the Afterlife

Clarkson herself embodied the holiday’s playful spirit, appearing in a costume that nodded to Beetlejuice’s most iconic figures. Surrounded by dancers portraying ghostly characters—among them, a grinning football player, a spectral office clerk, and a gothic bride reminiscent of Lydia Deetz—Clarkson commanded the stage with humor and heart.

Each costume, from the ornate lace of Lydia’s black wedding gown to the neon-striped accents on Clarkson’s ensemble, reflected a loving homage to the film’s darkly comedic aesthetic. Together, the cast’s elaborate wardrobe transformed the studio into a living (and un-living) tribute to Burton’s macabre masterpiece.

🎶 “Daylight Come and Me Wan’ Go Home”: A Vocal and Visual Feast

Musically, Clarkson’s rendition of “Banana Boat (Day-O)” balanced reverence for the calypso classic with a playful Halloween twist. Originally popularized by Harry Belafonte and later immortalized in Beetlejuice’s unforgettable dinner scene, the song is equal parts haunting and hilarious—a blend Clarkson captured perfectly.

Her version began with a low, rhythmic pulse, the kind that draws an audience in before erupting into joyful chaos. As she launched into the familiar refrain—“Daylight come and me wan’ go home”—the crowd couldn’t help but sway along. The combination of her powerful vocals, vibrant band arrangements, and theatrical choreography created a version that was equal parts party anthem and spooky celebration.

By the time Clarkson hit the final “six foot, seven foot, eight foot bunch!” the studio erupted into applause, cementing the performance as another standout Kellyoke moment destined for viral status.

🎃 A Celebration of Creativity and the Halloween Spirit

Beyond the costumes and stagecraft, what made this performance unforgettable was its heart. Clarkson and her team managed to capture Halloween’s essence—not just as a day for scares, but as a celebration of creativity, imagination, and togetherness.

By breathing new life into Beetlejuice’s “Day-O,” Clarkson reminded audiences why the film—and the song—remain so beloved: they invite us to laugh at the dark, dance with the strange, and find beauty in the bizarre.

As one fan wrote on social media shortly after the episode aired, “Kelly didn’t just sing ‘Day-O’—she resurrected Halloween itself.”

With her unmatched voice, boundless charisma, and flair for theatrical fun, Kelly Clarkson once again proved that when it comes to blending music and magic, she truly can haunt a stage like no one else.