In an appearance on Watch What Happens Live on Tuesday, Kelly Clarkson revealed the truth about her smash 2004 song “Since U Been Gone”—and the claims producer Clive Davis made that Kelly actually “hated” the song that became one of her biggest-ever hits.
Davis’ main claim to the story comes from his 2013 memoir, The Soundtrack of My Life. In the book, the record producer alleged Clarkson hated “Since U Been Gone” and “burst into hysterical sobbing” when told that it would be included on her album, Breakaway. On Watch What Happens Live, a fan asked Kelly about Davis’ tale, and the talk show host was more than happy to tell her side of the story.
Record Producer Clive Davis Claimed Kelly Clarkson “Hated” One Of Her Biggest Hits
At the time Davis’ memoir was published, Kelly already hit back at the producer’s alleging that he had to have a “very tough conversation” with her to insist “Since U Been Gone” be included on her upcoming album. On WhoSay, Clarkson responded to the story by writing, “I refuse to be bullied and I just have to clear up [Clive Davis’] memory lapses and misinformation.” The American Idol alum continued, “It feels like a violation…[the story is] not true at all. His stories and songs are mixed up. I couldn’t be more proud of that song. I resent him dampening that song in any way.”
Kelly added that she did cry in the meeting with Clive Davis—but not about “Since U Been Gone”, and not for the reasons he listed in the memoir. “I cried after I played him a song I had written about my life called ‘Because of You,’ she said at the time. “He hated it and told me verbatim that I was a ‘s—– writer who should be grateful for the gifts that he bestows upon me.'”
However, the record mogul disagreed with her modified version of events. "In subsequent interviews Kelly said that she had to fight to get 'Because of You' on the album, but that simply wasn’t the case," Davis wrote in 2013. "I have no idea where she heard that." A representative later released a statement on behalf of the producer: "As anyone who has read The Soundtrack of My Life knows, I think Kelly Clarkson is a tremendous vocal talent and performer. In the book, I provide an in-depth look at our years together during which we shared major multi-platinum success, as well as a few creative differences. I am truly very sorry that she has decided to take issue with what I know to be an accurate depiction of our time together.
"Before the book was published, I had every fact checked with five independent individuals who were present on a daily basis throughout it all. The chapter as it is written was thoroughly verified by each and every one of them. I stand by the chapter as written in my book. At the same time I wish, and will always wish, Kelly’s talent and her career to soar to ever new heights."
Kelly Spills The "Since U Been Gone" Tea On Watch What Happens Live
Kelly Clarkson's version of events remains drastically different than Davis', even ten years on from the original debate over the true story of "Since U Been Gone". "Let’s give some backstory, Davis," Clarkson when asked about her 2013 dispute with the record producer. "I was lied to, and they told me, 'Hey there’s these producers and they want to work with you. And there’s this song,' and it had dummy lyrics. I was told to write to the song, [they] flew me to Sweden, I get there and these two people, [Dr.] Luke and Max [Martin], were not told that I was writing to it, and just already had it written."
The songstress continued, "I look like a fool, because I walk in and the label had told me something completely different. That's a red flag, too. Why lie to me like that? I don't like the lying...so that's why I have a bad vibe with that song."
When Andy Cohen responded with concern that Kelly would abandon performing the song because of her fraught history with it, the singer assured him that would never be the case. "Oh my gosh, I'm such a great compartmentalizer," she reassured. "I can put that aside, and I sing the hell out of it on the tour."
