Kelly Clarkson 'Never Again' (Now on iTunes!)

[desertflower]

I wonder if there is time for them to release another Single before the time the Album is released.

[missclarkson]

if u read the leaked memo (i dunno if it's real or fake), but the reason they moved up the date is because they dont think they have enough time to break a 2nd single before july 24th. so i dont think they will have enough time to build a 2nd single to have significant impact on sales with the new june release date.

but if they want to move to 2nd single, they better not wasting time. they better release it soon, have kelly sing the new single on AI finale and push it to radio like they never have before ...
but i think NA is too good to be treated like that. i still hope somehow magicly it will turn around, get a 2nd wind and blow up

[rpclarksonswimmer1]

Kelly has already stated that she will not release a new single before the album is released.

[missclarkson]

rpclarksonswimmer1 said:

Kelly has already stated that she will not release a new single before the album is released.

when? where? i havent heard of that ... umm interesting...

[carriefan0209]

doodlebug said:

eljefro said:

I think the label deserves SOME blame for all the negative press and leaked info. Not for the way the song has turned out but all this negative press and drama is unfortunate and puts Kelly in an odd position, especially since she has never really been a controversial figure.

All it would take is Clive Davis making some kind of brief statement in support of Kelly but he isn't doing that...so....

I think it's a little crazy to assume that Clive would or should lend a big statement of support at this point since she has been basically bashing him everywhere and taking credit for "winning" over him. After all, she is a 25-year-old with just 2 CDs out, and she is trying to imply she beat the big bad wolf when everyone else has to give in. What she has said and implied is her biggest hurt right now. There's no way he is going to come out and say "oh yeah, I bow down to her cause she's so right and smart and I'm dumb and mean." Seriously, do you really expect the man to say or admit anything, even if it were true. He can't back her up and then keep control over everyone else. As much as her fans want to think she is that special, she's really not. There are tons of stars who have been much bigger and better than Kelly who have to compromise. She has tried to imply she fought and won since day one and that all the "right choices" were hers. The girl needs to step back and keep her mouth shut and get her foot out of it at this point. Now she is trying to backtrack what she has been saying for over 2 weeks. She is just looking worse to a lot of people. So much for down-to-earth Kelly who doesn't lie or say anything she shouldn't. She may have dug herself a big grave this time. If this CD isn't big enough and good enough to pull her out, she may be in trouble. This song is just not that good for a variety of reasons, and a lot of people don't like it for many of those reasons. If it's the best she has to offer it could be bad news coming. It's also apparently not a good song to perform live, as so far the performances have not been that good. I'm seeing lots of people criticizing practically every performance of it so far and that includes a lot of her fans, let alone others who aren't that invested in her.

good point.

[thedoctorluke]

21 KELLY CLARKSON Never Again -46

[Focus]

Luke, you are behaving like a jerk.

edited because I may have been too harsh in my original comment.

[justfloating]

^for posting information?
I think you need to grow up and calm down. You're one of the reasons people think this thread is so hostile. It is not wrong to post information.
And dont give me any BS that you know what his intentions were.

[missclarkson]

lets not fight ... we dont need anymore drama here ... so much craziness has been goin on around kelly and MD ...

[whistle]

Ignorance is bliss.

[snoog]

thedoctorluke said:

21 KELLY CLARKSON Never Again -46

Whatever. Jealous much?

[eljefro]

missclarkson said:

lets not fight ... we dont need anymore drama here ... so much craziness has been goin on around kelly and MD ...

She'll ultimately have the last laugh...Kelly can move units...this may just turn into more of a word of mouth project after the initial rush, without the massive radio support Breakaway had...that's what could happen....

[kellyfan1232]

oh how cute.

[Rose "Payola" Nylund]

regency said:

oh come on chexxxy

Umm, ok, who's chexxxy? Please don't bring crap from other boards on here to instigate.

[Focus]

Cover Story
Kelly in Control
As she readies for the release of ''My December,'' her third, very personal CD, Kelly Clarkson invites EW over for an advance listen and opens up about her struggle to be taken seriously as a songwriter


CLARKSON The original American Idol has had a rough go of it since releasing 2004's Breakaway, and she's turned her experiences into the songs on My December

By Dave Karger

The welcome mat at her front door should have been the tip-off. As you enter Kelly Clarkson's Spanish-style villa two miles into the hills above L.A.'s Hollywood Boulevard, the first thing you notice — after the hot pink Ford Mustang convertible in the driveway — is the dark brown, rough-fiber doormat that greets guests with one word: LEAVE.

Actually, Clarkson is a gracious host. Wearing a body-hugging Aerosmith tee and capri cargo pants, she immediately offers a bottle of Smartwater and a tour of her impressive digs (think leather sofas, red-felt pool table, PlayStation). ''This is just where I crash when I'm here,'' the Texas resident says modestly. Then, in her double-height living room, she sets up an iPod docking station to preview her forthcoming album, My December (due June 26). While unboxing a giant photo collage of herself at this year's Daytona 500 — sending Styrofoam peanuts flying — she provides cheery intros to the tracks. But after she sets up a hard-charging rocker called ''Hole'' (''This one's one of my favorites''), the sunniness disappears.

There's a hole inside of me/It's so damn cold, slowly killing me.

Whoa. What happened to the original American Idol whose favorite catchphrases were ''Score!'' ''Sweet!'' and ''Cool beans!''? For starters, she's had a rough go of it since releasing her last CD, 2004's massively successful Breakaway, and she's turned her experiences into songs; she wrote or co-wrote every track on My December. ''The whole album is a story of the past two years, all the highs and lows,'' Clarkson explains. (Okay...mostly the lows.) ''It deals with so many situations, whether it's family, friends, relationships, or myself.'' The first single is the glacial, Alanis-esque ''Never Again'' (opening lyric: ''I hope the ring you gave to her turns her finger green''). ''That situation made me feel like, What's wrong with me that I would even let someone like you in my life?'' she says. The autobiographical kiss-off to an ex rocketed to No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in its very first week.

It's as promising a start as any artist could want for a new project. But when the artist is Kelly Clarkson, the stakes are unbelievably high. ''She's up there now in the top five most important recording artists in the world, literally,'' says American Idol judge Simon Cowell. That's no exaggeration: Breakaway sold 10 million copies, earning Clarkson two Grammy awards and crowning her the queen of pop radio.

So when Clarkson decided not to reunite with any of the producers who helped craft that record's five ultra-catchy top 20 singles, insiders say that BMG Label Group's chairman, 40-year music veteran Clive Davis, sat on My December for four months, hoping she'd change her mind. She wouldn't.

NEXT PAGE: ''The last song on [My December], 'Irvine,' it literally was the lowest point I've had in my life.''


FINDING HER VOICE ''In a time when record labels are under increased economic pressures, they get nervous when a big-selling artist like Kelly (seen on Idol Gives Back in April) wants to take risks and evolve,'' says manager Kwatinetz

''In a time when record labels are under increased economic pressures'' — industry album sales are down 17 percent for '07 — ''they get nervous when a big-selling artist like Kelly wants to take risks and evolve,'' says Clarkson's manager, Jeff Kwatinetz, whose roster also includes Snoop Dogg, Mandy Moore, and Chris Cornell. ''The pressure they put on this young woman to compromise herself and do another version of the same record, I've never witnessed in my career.''

Davis wouldn't be interviewed for this story but said in an e-mail to EW: ''We are setting up extensive plans to support Kelly's album in a major way, befitting her status as one of the world's best-selling artists. We fully expect that Kelly will have a long-term, powerful career for many years to come.''

For all the controversy, the 14-song collection isn't such a departure from the hits that made Clarkson a star as to make you wonder What was she thinking?! Clearly, she's learned how to write catchy hooks while working with the likes of Max Martin and Dr. Luke (the masterminds behind ''Since U Been Gone''). And her voice is as strong as ever, whether the song calls for Pat Benatar-defiant (''One Minute'') or Sarah McLachlan-sensitive (''Sober'').

After the music ends, Clarkson begins to talk — really talk — about her fight for My December, her upcoming 36-city summer tour, and more.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Why did you want to make such a personal album right now?
KELLY CLARKSON: All of my favorite records — [Alanis Morissette's] Jagged Little Pill, any U2 record, [No Doubt's] Tragic Kingdom — I love how it's like a story from beginning to finish. Especially Jagged Little Pill. The last song on [My December], ''Irvine,'' it literally was the lowest point I've had in my life. I wrote it after my Irvine [Calif.] show on my last tour. I was just so burned-out. I was really struggling at getting somebody out of my life and finding people that really cared. The whole song is a prayer. I wrote it in the bathroom of the venue after the show. I had to cancel my meet-and-greet; it's the only meet-and-greet I've ever canceled. I couldn't smile. It was just a really, really bad night.


WITH LABEL CHIEF DAVIS ''I don't like [our differences] to get out in public,'' Clarkson says. ''I don't want to be the Joan of Arc of the music industry.''

You use your upper register in so many of your songs. Is it hard to sing them on tour night after night?
It's hard when you have to stay up there the whole song. ''Breakaway'' is really challenging. ''Never Again'' — that's gonna be fun [sarcastically].

You look pretty normal to me right now, but people often comment on your weight. [After her performance on the Idol Gives Back charity show last month, one message boarder dubbed her ''Mama Cass.''] Does that bother you?
You're just like, Oh, well, that sucks. But at the end of the day, it doesn't suck that much or else I'd do something about it. I work out when I want to work out; I don't work out when I don't want to work out. After a long day and I'm tired, yeah, a cookie helps. It makes me feel good. It's soul food! There's a reason why it's called that. I drop, like, 15 pounds when I'm on tour.

It's pretty well-known that some of the powers that be at the label are nervous about the new record.
Everybody wants to come out with the same thing and put beats on it. That's not where I am right now.

We met you on American Idol as a singer who performed other people's songs. So a lot of people don't realize you've already co-written hits like ''Walk Away'' and ''Behind These Hazel Eyes.''
Everybody doesn't like me writing all the time, no matter how many No. 1's you write. It's clearly like yelling at a brick wall. I won an [ASCAP] award recently for best song of the year [for ''Because of You'']. People just refuse to even look at statistics. I mean, is there something higher than No. 1 now? Have they gone to, like, the negatives? People can't fathom that someone who is vocally talented could have some kind of writing ability.

Why exactly are they so resistant to you writing?
It's because I'm a woman — because I'm a young woman. I literally heard someone say it [during a conference call]. They didn't know I was on the phone. Like, really? We're living in what century? I hung up. I was like, I can't even address that. 'Cause that was the most ignorant thing I've ever heard.



For months after you delivered this record there was no word as to when, or whether, it was coming out. Did you have any contact with Clive Davis?
I found out he was in L.A. I called him and was like, ''Why are we talking through people, dude? Let's just meet.'' He was like, ''I agree.'' So I went to his bungalow where he stays here and we had a nice talk for a couple hours. I was like, ''You don't like the music; that's cool. You don't have to love it.'' There's no hard feelings. And that's why I don't like [our differences] to get out in public. I don't want to be the Joan of Arc of the music industry.

But he didn't toss your work in the trash, right?
Hell, he still could. That's the beauty of my life.

Are you worried about how your fans will respond to the darker material?
That was one of the label's things; they were like, ''It's just too negative.'' I'm like, ''Well, I'm sorry I've inconvenienced you with my life.'' No, it doesn't say, ''I'm happy, I'm with a boy and having so much fun.'' But it's reality. I know it's not going to do what Breakaway did, 'cause it's not as mainstream. I get that. Some of the songs are not what 10-year-olds are probably going to listen to. But we all go through situations for certain reasons, and I think we should share that. This record is more intense, it's more raw, it's more emotional. But it's not that different. It's not Metallica. Even if it does tank — who cares? It's one album! Out of a whole career of albums I'm going to have, you're worried about one? I'm not worried about it! And I'm obviously not going to want to put out s---. I obviously don't want to fail. I'm not an idiot. Like Nebraska from Bruce Springsteen — that's one of my favorite records, and it's not the most well-known. But it's an artist's record.

When you sit and think about it, are all the struggles you've been through with this record worth it?
My whole mantra is ''It doesn't matter how big I get, there's always the smell of cow s---.'' Because on my first tour, we played all these rodeos, and there literally was cow s--- everywhere. But maybe God puts the cow s--- there to drive me. Maybe it's there to push me.
www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20038840_20038841_20038857_4,00.html

[mugshot]

Luke, STOP with the factual information. You'll anger the kelbots.

[Focus]

I think 2 shots are enough don't you, or are you going to dog-pile.
You got your point across..peace.

[Bluesy]

thedoctorluke said:

21 KELLY CLARKSON Never Again -46

thedoctorluke...

The internet being what it is, I have no idea if you really are who you claim to be. However, IF you are, your behavior on this board (and elsewhere?) about this album has been stunningly unprofessional.

In a world in which professionalism and honorable behavior mattered, your career would be severely damaged by what you've done, because none of your peers, potential clients and employers would ever be able to trust you again.

However, we don't live in such a world, and I'm too much of a cynic to think you'll pay any price at all. I don't even believe in the truth of the old saying that what goes around comes around. But if, by chance, I'm wrong, then I hope what comes around to you is exactly what you deserve. And I don't mean good things.

In the meantime, who's next on your venomous little hit list? I'm sure you know exactly what I mean by "hit list," and it has nothing to do with hit songs.

[mcbg1]

it's all good. Kelly and her reps know what Luke is up to and he surely won't be working with her anytime soon. RCA will soon throw him under the bus anyways. He might be the hit producer of the moment but we all know that never lasts ;)

[missclarkson]

^^ spill some info about kelly next single please

[mugshot]

mcbg1 said:

it's all good. Kelly and her reps know what Luke is up to and he surely won't be working with her anytime soon. RCA will soon throw him under the bus anyways. He might be the hit producer of the moment but we all know that never lasts ;)

Please. RCA loves Luke lol

[johnm1120]

Oh who's taking the piss now?

Anyway back on topic, I wish this could've done better. :(

[slewis]

I would never wish bad things, but I dont wish you well. Dr. Luke

[thedoctorluke]

mugshot said:

Luke, STOP with the factual information. You'll anger the kelbots.

So true!!!

[popmusicaddict]

Well..... lol. I should have known taking a vacation to Texas then coming home opening my eyes to have this song magically be restored and furiously within the top 20 wasn't being realistic heh. This is reality, and sometimes you gotta face it so I'm glad Kelly is bravier than I!

I come home to instantly log on Mediabase (since I was literally too busy to on vacation in San Antonio having fun, and honestly didn't want to go on anyway) to find out I CAN'T and that my links have been corrupted or something? Can someone explain to me whats going on with the charts, or link or provide me one? Appreciate it..

Hell too much happens in a week, just watching Ellen and The Late Night Show my mom now is more up to Kelly news than I am haha! I come back home and she's all "different version preformed of Never Again, I didn't like it - it was like telling a story, oh hey album pushed up a month to June according to Jim Kimbell Show, watch tonight she will be on some Country Award show"

I went ".......... alright then!" to all that and basically am going to go "......... alrighty then!" to this thread lol. Not to mention I'm missing about 20 or so posts..maybe I shoulda stayed in Texas for awhile longer, give it some more positives vibes since I guess it seems its now bulletless (but AllAccess reported this morning +90ish bullet?). Did it go on a slight comeback or something? Also reading back I heard that alot of hot songs bullet went back up and audience is slowly being restored...that's good.

I'll catch up to all these exciting Kelly interviews and news and whatnot and just say a brief thing. It was amazing to see this song still with a bullet when I came back, or reportedly that is. If this song was really 'flopping' than ; I was gone for 8 days - if it was really 'declining' or no longer having 'support' it would easily be -200ish by now, even IF stations were increasing it significantly. This sounds twisted but I am rooting for it to reach that point, cuz then it could have a chance to go on the biggest comeback like P!nk did! I don't care if it hits #1 like P!nk did but it will still be a huge comeback, just not as symbolic as P!nk but it won't matter to me - the point will come across and I'm sorry it WON'T be cuz of payola. If anything if there's a factor aside from radio it will be because of the Idol preformance and all the shows she went on kicking in and promo.

I'm still not giving up hope..I see some fans have already, and that's perfectly fine, Kelly can't pull of miracles ALL the time but by god she's gonna try and it would be nice if more could keep the faith alive! I KNOW it looks bad..but so did alot of songs this year that had success.

Anyway, back to watching Idol that I know the results of (grrr, some people) and gonna have fun catching up on all this Kelly stuff (I hope!).

And could someone please tell me why my Mediabase link stopped working if anything and skip all my blabble, thanks!

[Jennifa]

Go Kelbots!

[doodlebug]

This thread goes from major drama to almost providing huge laughs. Such diversity.

The first picture above is very good. Is that a promo being used somewhere other than just the magazine? The article is a little, uh, well I don't think I'll say. I may just have to digest it a little longer, which would be much smarter than giving a knee jerk reaction to reading it.

[Bluesy]

Simon Cowell defends Kelly in no uncertain terms...http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20038840_20038841_20038861,00.html

SIMON COWELL: ''Kelly is not a puppet; she does not like to be told what to do. She could have gone the easy route, which is, you go with ['Since U Been Gone' producer] Max Martin — it's a guaranteed success. She made it absolutely clear that she wanted to steer the musical direction on this record. You just gotta say, 'You know what? This girl has given us millions and millions of sales.' You've got to give her that opportunity. If it works out, fantastic. If she then decides she wants to do a pop album, every good writer and producer wants to work with her. Because Kelly will be here for 30 years. She has one of the best pop voices in the world right now. What she sold in the U.K., Europe, Asia had nothing to do with American Idol. It had everything to do with the fact that she made a great record and she's got an incredible voice. She's not a girl who got lucky in a talent competition; we got lucky to find her.''

[mugshot]

The way Kelly spoke about her writing abilities was really delusional. She acts like she can write Top 40 hits all by herself. I'm sure BOY was made into what it was by the producers.

And the only thing that derailed this song and possibly this album is Kelly's ego.

And I know I sound like a major hater, but I truly believe everything i've been saying to be true.

[justfloating]

He's definately right. She got what she deserves and so will all of you. She got a soon to be great album with her dignity. And yes, what goes around comes around and will nail you in the face, and some of you are going to have some jacked up faces pretty soon cuz its gonna be a fist that hits you.