There was no bucking the system, and no going against Clive Davis. Sources tell me that Clarkson has agreed, through her wise new manager Narvel Blackstock, to make a pop album for release in 2008 with songs selected by Davis and his team. Clarkson's acquiescence comes at the end of a long melodrama concerning her current, turgid album "My December," which features a lot of ragged self-penned songs by Clarkson about a relationship gone sour

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Clarkson gets points for trying out her chops as a songwriter, but demerits for not following anyone's advice, trying to take on the record industry's most astute executive maybe of all time and acting like a 25-year-old (which is, in fact, her age.)

Contrary to popular belief, Kelly Clarkson doesn't have a major beef with Clive Davis. Anymore. So says the pop star. The 25-year-old Grammy winner took time out Monday to address the reports that have her feuding with the record mogul, animosity supposedly prompted by creative differences and Clarkson's disregard for Davis' wishes during production of her latest album, My December, on which all the tracks were either penned or cowritten by the original American Idol.

"I want to set the record straight on this by saying that I want my band, my advisors, those close to me and my record label to be one big, tightly knit family," Clarkson said in a statement posted on her Website. "Like any family we will disagree and argue sometimes but, in the end, it's respect and admiration that will keep us together. "A lot has been made in the press about my relationship with Clive. Much of this has been blown way out of proportion and taken out of context."

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"Contrary to recent characterizations in the press, I'm well aware that Clive is one of the great record men of all time," she stated on her site Monday. "He has been a key advisor and has been an important force in my success to date. He has also given me respect by releasing my new album when he was not obligated to do so. I really regret how this has turned out and I apologize to those whom I have done disservice. "I would never intentionally hurt anyone. I love music, and I love the people I am blessed to work with. I am happy that my team is behind me and I look forward to the future."