McConaughey got the inspiration for the poem listening to ZZ Top's &34;Just Got Paid&34; while on a road trip. Watch Matthew McConaughey and Kelly Clarkson perf

McConaughey got the inspiration for the poem listening to ZZ Top's "Just Got Paid" while on a road trip.

Watch Matthew McConaughey and Kelly Clarkson perform a rocking rendition of his ZZ Top-inspired poem

McConaughey got the inspiration for the poem listening to ZZ Top's "Just Got Paid" while on a road trip.

By Emlyn Travis

Emlyn Travis is a news writer at **. She has been working at EW since 2022. Her work has previously appeared on MTV News, Teen Vogue, and *NME*.

EW's editorial guidelines

September 30, 2025 11:08 a.m. ET

Leave a Comment

Kelly Clarkson and Matthew McConaughey perform together on 'The Kelly Clarkson Show'. Credit:

Alright, alright, alright! Matthew McConaughey and Kelly Clarkson teamed up with her band to perform a rocking rendition of his poetry on *The Kelly Clarkson Show. ***

In a preview clip for Tuesday's episode, the *Interstellar* star detailed his experience penning his ZZ Top-inspired poem "Changing Lanes," which is featured in his new book *Poems & Prayers*. **

"You know that little chorus ZZ Top's ['Just Got Paid']? That meter — all of a sudden, lyrics and couplets started fitting into it," McConaughey explained to Clarkson. "And on this road trip, I recorded 'em, got back and there was like 120 lines, and I was like, 'Let's look at this and see if any of it's worth a damn.' That one's called 'Changing Lanes.'"

Clarkson and McConaughey on 'The Kelly Clarkson Show'.

Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal

It was then that Clarkson admitted that she'd already heard that the poem had a musical component before casually directing McConaughey's attention to her house band, Y'all, who was standing on the other side of the stage. **

"Isn't that so interesting?" she asked. "Would you like to do a little bit?" **

Ever a performer, McConaughey jumped out of his seat and the pair of Texans took the miniature stage to perform his poetry to the tune of the 1972 Southern rock hit.

'The Kelly Clarkson Show' season 7 to feature new segments and Queen covers

Matthew McConaughey shares bedroom secret he insists is 'good for your marriage'

"I just got paid today, got myself a pocket full of change," McConaughey said, referencing the song's original lyrics before spinning it his own way. "There's no need to use my blinker now, no, when I'm changing lanes." **

Evoking a bit of artistic flair, the actor continued, "Be best at what you're good at, not better at what you're not, so you can win again at what you want at before you go on fighting with what you fought."

***Sign up for **'s free daily newsletter* *to get breaking news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.*****

Throughout the performance, Clarkson could be heard delivering some stellar vocal riffs in between the actor's pearls of wisdom. **

"And when more than you can imagine goes on and exceeds your expectation, well, go on, bet on it, believe that it is much more than just a vacation," McConaughey said. "Or none of it matters no, and nothing, nothing is in vain. There's no need to use your blinker then, not when you're changing lanes."

As the performance wrapped, an applauding Clarkson cheered, "Give it up for Matthew McConaughey, everybody!"**

Over the years, McConaughey has narrated several of his books, including *Poems & Prayers*, his 2020 memoir *Greenlights*, and his 2023 children's book, *Just Because*. He has also sent many people off to dreamland with his sleep story on the meditation app, Calm. He hasn't officially released any music, although it'd be a lot cooler if he did.

*The Kelly Clarkson Show* airs weekdays in syndication. Check your local listings. Watch McConaughey and Clarkson jam together in the clip above.

Original Article on Source

Source: "AOL TV"

Read More

---

Source: VOGUE MAG

Full Article on Source: VOGUE MAG

#LALifestyle #USCelebrities