My December is the third studio album by American pop rock singer-songwriter Kelly Clarkson. The album was released on June 22, 2007 in many European Union member states, such as Germany, Ireland, Italy and the Netherlands, on June 23, 2007 in Australia, on June 25, 2007 in the United Kingdom, Hong Kong and Poland, and on June 26, 2007 in North America.
Clarkson confirmed the name of the album in her journal on her fanclub website on February 27, 2007. She has stated in interviews that she has written or co-written on every track on the album. Since its release, My December has shipped one million copies in the U.S and has been certified Platinum.It has also been certified Platinum in many other countries outside the U.S., such as the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. The album was voted as the 5th best album of 2007 by the readers of the Billboard Magazine.
Prior to the album's release, sources reported that Clive Davis, the head of Sony-BMG, was dissatisfied with the album. Davis reportedly wanted Clarkson to make significant changes to the album, with some rumors claiming that he even wanted to delete the entire album, and have her record all new material. Clarkson reportedly refused to change any of the material. Initially, these reports were denied by representatives for both RCA and Clive Davis, with Davis specifically stating that Clarkson is "one of the top four artists at Sony-BMG" and wanted to ensure that she is treated as such.
However, Clarkson later confirmed the rumors to be true. Not only did she state that Davis wanted to hold the album from being released as scheduled[citation needed] she also stated that her label thought the album was "too negative" and dark. Clarkson has stated multiple times that she recognizes that My December may not rival the showstopping sales of Breakaway. However, she compares it to Bruce Springsteen's landmark 1982 album Nebraska, which was explicitly anti-commercial but has since gained a huge reputation of, as she said, "an artist's record"
My December, in its debut, not only was one of the best selling albums of the week, but sold faster than Clarkson's previous album, Breakaway (which peaked at #3).
The album debuted at #2 in the U.S. with sales of approximately 291,000 copies - a mere 6,000 copies less than Clarkson's debut hit Thankful sold in its first week. It came behind Hannah Montana 2: Meet Miley Cyrus, which sold about 326,000 copies that week.
The album debuted at #2 in the U.K., eventually falling to #9 in its second week, and #20 in its third week.
The album debuted at #1 on the United World Chart, moving approximately 390,000 copies worldwide.
The album was certified platinum in the United States by RIAA on the 12th of December 2007.
The album debuted and peaked at #4 on the Australian ARIA Charts, falling off the Top 20 in 5 weeks. It fell off the charts after 18 weeks.
Tracklisting
1. Never Again" (Clarkson, Messer) – 3:37
2. "One Minute" (Clarkson, DioGuardi, Kreviazuk, Maida) – 3:05
3. "Hole" (Clarkson, Messer, Baker) – 3:02
4. "Sober" (Clarkson, Eubanks, McEntire, Messer) – 4:52
5. "Don't Waste Your Time" (Clarkson, Messer, Pardon, Rinman) – 3:36
6. "Judas" (Clarkson, Messer, Baker) – 3:37
7. "Haunted" (Clarkson, Messer, Halbert) – 3:19
8. "Be Still" (Clarkson, Eubanks) – 3:25
9. "Maybe" (Clarkson, Messer, Eubanks) – 4:23
10. "How I Feel" (Clarkson, Messer, Baker, Kahne) – 3:41
11. "Yeah" (Clarkson, Messer, Pardon, Rinman) – 2:43
12. "Can I Have a Kiss" (Clarkson, Messer, Baker) – 3:32
13. "Irvine" (Clarkson, Eubanks) – 4:15
* "Chivas" (hidden track, starts 5 minutes and 18 seconds into Irvine) – 3:32
iTunes bonus tracks
14. "Dirty Little Secret" (Clarkson, Messer) – 3:34
15. "Never Again" (Dave Audé Radio Remix) (Clarkson, Messer) – 4:11
16. "Never Again" (Dave Audé Club Mix) (Clarkson, Messer) – 7:55
17. "Not Today" [Pre-Order Only] (Clarkson, Kahne, Messer) – 3:30
Japanese release bonus track
15. "Fading" (Clarkson, Pardon, Rinman, Kahne) – 2:52