Kelly Clarkson Calls Clive Davis A Liar

Kelly Clarkson is accusing Clive Davis of lying in his new memoir. After reading what she posted I’m inclined to believe her. I’ll back up.

Davis writes in his book that he fought with Kelly Clarkson about her album Breakaway. He said that he had to fight with Ms. Clarkson to include Since U Been Gone on the album and that Clarkson burst into tears over it. Davis was also very vocal (haha see what I did there?) about his dislike for Clarkson’s third album, My December. He hated it, didn’t think there were any potential hits on it, and wanted nothing to do with Clarkson. And even after Clarkson’s success, he refers to her in the book as a “talent contest winner” and that if not for her win on American Idol, he wouldn’t have signed her. It’s kind of a weird thing to say about her considering that she’s done very well for herself and has the stats to prove it. Clarkson gives us her insight.

From her blog:

So I just heard Clive Davis is releasing a memoir and spreading false information about me and my music. I refuse to be bullied and I just have to clear up his memory lapses and misinformation for myself and for my fans. It feels like a violation. Growing up is awesome because you learn you don’t have to cower to anyone – even Clive Davis.

First, he says I burst into “hysterical sobbing” in his office when he demanded Since You [sic] Been Gone be on my album. Not true at all. His stories and songs are mixed up. I did want more guitars added to the original demo and Clive did not. Max, Luke and I still fought for the bigger sound and we prevailed and I couldn’t be more proud of the life of that song. I resent him dampening that song in any way.

But, yes, I did cry in his office once. I cried after I played him a song I had written about my life called Because Of You. I cried because he hated it and told me verbatim that I was a “sh*tty writer who should be grateful for the gifts that he bestows upon me.” He continued on about how the song didn’t rhyme and how I should just shut up and sing. This was devastating coming from a man who I, as a young girl, considered a musical hero and was so honored to work with.

But I continued to fight for the song and the label relented. And it became a worldwide hit. He didn’t include that in the book.

He also goes on to say My December wasn’t successful because I co-penned the album and it didn’t have “pop hits”. Well, first let me say, I’ve co-penned many of my “pop hits.” Secondly, My December went platinum (It sold 20,000 less than All I Ever Wanted which followed My December.) Hardly a huge failure. Never Again, the ONLY single they released in the US from that record was a Top 10 hit. I am very proud of that and I have my fans to thank. But, again, what’s most interesting about his story is what he leaves out: He doesn’t mention how he stood up in front of his company at a convention and belittled me and my music and completely sabotaged the entire project. It never had a chance to reach it’s full potential. My December was an album I needed to make for myself for many reasons and the fact that I was so completely disregarded and disrespected was so disheartening, there really aren’t words to explain….

Anyway, I love my job. I love my music. I love my fans. I love my label and all of my professional relationships… now. And I am grateful for Clive for teaching me to know the difference.

Cheers to another amazing year! And, as always, thanks for listening!

KC

Boom, Davis. That’s what you get for thinking you’re…Mr. Know It All. YEEEEEEAAAAHHHH!

…actually, listening to that song (Mr. Know It All) it sounds like maybe it could be about Davis…I’m not saying it is…I’m just saying it totally could be.