Kelly Clarkson - Already Gone?

For a pop star who was manufactured through the American Idol system, Kelly Clarkson is refreshingly honest.

Unlike so many artists who spin the typical record company PR, Clarkson remains blunt and down-to-earth, eight years into her career as the first - and most successful American Idol winner.

A few years ago, when Clarkson released My December, she and Clive Davis got into a public debate over the album's lack of commercial hits: Clarkson wanted to follow her heart as a serious songwriter, while Davis wanted Clarkson to record another album of monster radio hits, something she had done on her previous album, Breakaway. In the end, Clarkson stuck to her guns and was able to release the album she wanted. While the album was not as big a seller as Breakaway, Clarkson found new respect amongst fans for not being another record company puppet.

Clarkson compromised a little by recording All I Ever Wanted, a more pop-leaning album than My December, and with the album's first hit single, My Life Would Suck Without You. The album's third single, Already Gone, is courting controversy because the single, written by Ryan Tedder, sounds similar to another song Tedder wrote for Beyonce, entitled Halo, and which was recently a Top 10 hit.

According to a CBC interview, Clarkson explains her side of the story:

We wrote about six songs together, four or five of them made the album. It was all fine and dandy. I’d never heard of a song called ‘Halo.’ Her album came out when my album was already being printed. No-one’s gonna be sittin’ at home, thinking ‘Man, Ryan Tedder gave Beyonce and Kelly the same track to write to.’ No, they’re just gonna be saying I ripped someone off. I called Ryan and said, ‘I don’t understand. Why would you do that?’”

Clarkson fought the record label from releasing it, but the song has been released to radio. Sure there are similarities, but Clarkson's vocal performance is strong - as usual. But, again, it shows Clarkson's courage in defying her record company. Some may call her ungrateful or bratty, but I find her refreshing and honest, traits you don't see in a mostly cookie-cutter pop world. It's even more surprising considering Clarkson comes from American Idol, which is about singing other people's songs and molding in one's self into America's fantasy of an ideal pop star.

There are rumours Clarkson may be dropped from her record label and Clive Davis' good graces. That would not be surprising, considering Clarkson appears unwilling to censor herself. I hope Kelly doesn't change.