Maps of Music

My December (2007)

Where the lyrics of My December take you, and where it was really made.

Kelly Clarkson's third album debuted at number two in the US despite a cancelled tour and a public clash with her label.

Key places

Mower Studios, Pasadena (2007)

Recording site Becker Mastering — Part of the album was recorded at Mower Studios in Pasadena, California. The point is placed at the city centre because the exact studio location is not given here. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

The Village Recorder, Los Angeles (2007)

Recording site Village Recorders — The Village Recorder in Los Angeles, California is one of the studios where the album was recorded. The point marks the studio building. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Clinton Recording Studios, New York City (2007)

Recording site Record Plant Studios — Clinton Recording Studios and SeeSquared Studios in New York City are listed together as recording sites for the album. The point is placed at the city centre. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• My December is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Kelly Clarkson
• Released in June 2007 through RCA Records
• Produced by David Kahne; largely written and composed by Clarkson
• Clarkson described the writing process as free therapy inspired by personal struggles
• Debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 with around 291,000 copies sold in its first week
• Certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America

Background

• Followed Breakaway (2004), which established Clarkson as a major artist beyond American Idol
• Clarkson began writing songs for the album during The Breakaway Tour
• Wrote approximately 60 songs during this period
• Drew on personal challenges, including a grueling touring schedule and a breakup
• Clashed with Sony BMG head Clive Davis over the creative direction of the album
• Clarkson kept full creative control and refused to alter the songs
• Tour cancelled in June 2007 over low ticket sales; a revised 26-date North American tour followed from October to December 2007

Recording

• Recorded at Mower Studios in Pasadena, California
• Also recorded at The Village Recorder in Los Angeles, California
• Also recorded at Clinton Recording Studios and SeeSquared Studios in New York City
• Mixed at Soundtrack Studios in New York City
• Mastered at Gateway Mastering in Portland, Maine

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · fr.wikipedia.org

Tracklist

Sources: musicbrainz.org

Artist

Career

• Born Kelly Brianne Clarkson on April 24, 1982, in Fort Worth, Texas, and raised in Burleson, Texas.
• Won the first season of American Idol in 2002 and signed with RCA Records.
• Debut single "A Moment Like This" became the best-selling single of 2002 in the United States.
• Debut album Thankful (2003) debuted at number one on the Billboard 200.
• Breakaway (2004) became her most commercially successful album and one of the best-selling albums of the 21st century.
• Singles "Since U Been Gone" and "Because of You" achieved major chart success; "Because of You" became her biggest single worldwide.
• Stronger (2011) won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album at the 2013 ceremony.
• Wrapped in Red (2013) became the best-selling holiday album of the year.
• Signed with Atlantic Records in 2015 and released Meaning of Life (2017), When Christmas Comes Around... (2021), and Chemistry (2023).
• Coached The Voice for multiple seasons and hosted The Kelly Clarkson Show from 2019.
• Has sold over 82 million records worldwide and received three Grammy Awards.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Reception

At release

• Critics praised the album for Clarkson's bold artistic vision and strong songwriting
• Some critics called it her most accomplished work
• Others acknowledged its ambition but noted uneven execution and a lack of clear hits
• Entertainment Weekly critic Chris Willman said the album emerged not as a failure after Clarkson's split from Clive Davis, but as her boldest and most artistically accomplished work
• Slant Magazine gave the album 3.5 out of 5 stars
• Metacritic scored the album 64/100, indicating generally positive reviews
• AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine called the album a success on the artist's own level but a disappointment for other listeners
• The Guardian's Caroline Sullivan criticised the album for relying on vague lyrics and vocal force rather than directness

Reappraisal

• A 2016 Sputnikmusic review called the album the most logical progression for Clarkson's career
• A 2017 AXS article marking the album's tenth anniversary described it as an album Clarkson made for herself

Records

• Debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 with around 291,000 copies in its first week
• Entered the UK chart at number two, selling 40,509 copies in its first week
• Peaked at number two in Canada and Ireland
• Certified platinum by the RIAA on 12 December 2007
• Had sold 858,000 copies in the US by September 2017
• Ranked fifth among the best albums of 2007 in a poll of Billboard magazine readers

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · pt.wikipedia.org · es.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• Clarkson wrote about 60 songs during The Breakaway Tour, which she later described as free therapy
• It was reported that Davis offered Clarkson $10 million to remove five songs from the album
• The song Irvine was inspired by a cancelled fan event in Irvine, California, when Clarkson was burned out
• Her set at the Live Earth concert at Giants Stadium was one of the few promotions left after the tour was cancelled
• Never Again reached number eight on the US Billboard Hot 100 despite resistance from radio programmers

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

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