This week, Avril Lavigne released her new album, Goodbye Lullaby, an emotionally charged record that will leave some fans wondering just who she is singing about. With a highly publicized divorce from Sum 41 singer Deryck Whibley and equally highly publicized romance with "Hills" star Brody Jenner, Lavigne says that she doesn't really care if fans are trying to decode her songs.
"At this point, because I've been doing this for 10 years, I've kind of learned ... my life lesson has been about not worrying about people and what they think," she told MTV News. "Obviously I care. I want people to like my music and stuff. I've had to learn to really focus on myself: who I am, what I want ... You don't want to have distractions, especially when you're being creative."
Lavigne's ex-husband Whibley worked on many of the album's tracks. And considering how well the former spouses get along, the spunky pop star doesn't seem bothered by public speculation about her personal life. "I respect Deryck so much as an artist, and he produced several songs on this record," she explained. "I mean, he's in a really cool band, he's a writer and he's a rocker."
Whibley's skills and the duo's easygoing nature are what helped make magic happen in the studio. "He's a musician. He does it all, and to have him come on this album and produce and mix, it's like he's so talented, I was really happy to have him produce on this record," she added. "He did a really amazing job. We're great friends and I'm grateful for the relationship."