Kelly Clarkson Calls Clive Davis a Liar

Somebody’s lying: legendary record mogul Clive Davis or Grammy winner Kelly Clarkson.

Clarkson has written an open letter condemning Davis for “spreading false information” about her in his new memoir, The Soundtrack Of My Life.

Davis wrote that Clarkson broke into “hysterical sobbing” when he insisted she include Since U Been Gone on her second album, Breakaway. He also wrote that he warred with Clarkson because she only wanted songs she had written herself on her third album, My December.

Davis said he told Clarkson’s manager that he was “out of his mind” if he thought Clarkson should only have her own songs on the album. He added that he told Clarkson My December was “a pop album that still needs pop hits.” My December did indeed sell far fewer copies than Breakaway.

Clarkson struck back in her letter, writing:

So I just heard Clive Davis is releasing a memoir and spreading false information about me and my music. First, he says I burst into “hysterical sobbing” in his office when he demanded Since You Been Gone be on my album. Not true at all. His stories and songs are mixed up . . . 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 “s****y 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.

Clarkson also wrote that My December didn’t lack “pop hits.” She argued:

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 its 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….