Kelly Clarkson has taken aim at A&R legend Clive Davis over
multiple passages included in his new memoir, "The Soundtrack of My
Life," which was released on Tuesday (Feb. 19) by Simon & Schuster.
In a new letter that the pop superstar tweeted to her 2.9 million
Twitter followers on Tuesday, Clarkson alleges that the chief creative officer
of Sony Music is "spreading false information" about her career in
the book, and details heated exchanges between Davis and herself. Read the full
text of Clarkson's post below:
February 19, 2013: Hey y'all,
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 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
Clarkson and Davis worked together during Davis' tenure at the
RCA Label Group, and reportedly feuded over the content of Clarkson's darker
2007 album, "My December." Davis earned a Grammy Award in 2005 as the
producer of Clarkson's mega-selling "Breakaway" album.
On Tuesday morning, Davis made headlines by coming out as
bisexual on Katie Couric's talk show "Katie." The record industry
icon, who helped discover or sign artists ranging from Bruce Springsteen to
Whitney Houston to Santana to Alicia Keys, divulges more personal details in
"The Soundtrack of My Life."
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