Clay's first CD, Measure of a Man (Number One, Top 200), went triple platinum selling more than 613,000 copies in its first week. Including singles like "Invisible", "The Way," "I Will Carry You" and the Neil Sedaka cover "Solitaire," it was the subject of conflicting reviews. Billboard Magazine called it the best pop album of 2003. Many fans and some critics recognized and admired the pure pop sound ("so pure it floats") and top-notch production values while others heard only a manufactured sound, noting that the singer hadn't earned his musical chops but "merely" sang his way to the hearts of millions on television, a perceived unjust leap-frogging of "the true path of the true artist."
Aiken fronted a country band, Just By Chance, pre-Idol and recorded 3 demo CDs. As a young man he was a member of the Raleigh Boy's Choir and was in numerous musical productions in North Carolina Theater.
The National Inclusion Project (formerly the Bubel/Aiken Foundation) was launched in 2003, supporting the integration of children with disabilities into the life environment of their non-disabled peers. In November 2004, Clay was appointed as a National Ambassador for UNICEF, with a mission to help ensure that children everywhere are afforded a primary education.
In November 2004, Clay released Merry Christmas With Love (Number One, Top 200). His first Christmas album, it went platinum, won 2 Billboard Music Awards and spurred a yearly holiday tour and a follow-up EP, All Is Well - Songs for Christmas. 2004 was also the year Clay made #2 on the New York Times Best Seller List with his "inspirational memoir" titled Learning to Sing: Hearing the Music in Your Life.
His next studio album, 2006's A Thousand Different Ways (Number Two, Top 200), was, through the direction of mega-producer Clive Davis, largely a covers CD. Ten of the fourteen cuts being well known melodic pop songs ranging from Richard Marx, Bryan Adams, Dolly Parton, Mister Mister, and Elton John. Two other songs, available only on digital versions of the album, are "If You Don't Know Me By Now" (through K-Mart.com) and "Lover All Alone" (through iTunes and co-written by Aiken himself). Many fans have wondered about the relative exclusion of the latter song, left languishing from the song list present on the physical CD, as its intimate emotional material and Aiken's own writing handiwork produce a spellbinding effect.
In May of 2008 Aiken released On My Way Here (Number Four, Top 200), his first album of original material since his 2003 chart-topping debut Measure of A Man. While searching for songs for this album, he fell in love with a song written by OneRepublic front man Ryan "Alias" Tedder called "On My Way Here." The message of the lyrics -- how the lessons we learn while growing up shape us into who we become as adults -- struck such a deep chord with Clay that it wound up inspiring the theme (and title) of his new collection. In addition to enlisting Grammy-Award winning British songwriter and producer Kipper, On My Way Here also included the talented musicians of none other then the Steely Dan band.
A fifth album, The Very Best of Clay Aiken, was released at the end of March 2009 on Sony's Legacy Recordings Playlist Series.
To date, Aiken has headlined 8 tours., one of them co-headlining with Kelly Clarkson.
Aiken made his Broadway debut playing the role of Sir Robin in Monty Python's Spamalot in January 2008. His first run ended in May. He rejoined the cast as Sir Robin in September and remained through January 4, 2009.
In August of 2008 Clay became a father to Parker Foster Aiken with producer Jaymes Foster, the sister of record producer David Foster.
Clay will release a brand new album, titled "Tried and True", on June 1, 2010 on the Decca Records label.
Clay also has made numerous TV appearances, guest-starring on everything from Scrubs to Days of Our Lives to the season finale of the popular show 30 Rock. He has earned a place on such talk-shows as Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Tonight Show, Late Night With David Letterman, Tyra Banks, Rachel Ray, Ellen and has cooked with both Martha Stewart and Paula Deen.
Though clearly, based on his television and concert appeal, a performing artist whose live presentations show consummate showmanship, bringing surprising dynamism to studio songs, Aiken has had to endure a persistent hammering from entertainment critics and a tenacious (not to say malevolent) interest on the part of some in the media relating to questions about his personal life.
Always full of surprises, fans look forward to the continued ways in which this multi-talented artist expresses himself and uses his voice in ways that will expand his appeal in and beyond the US.
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Clay Aiken Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Feeling small
When tears are in
Your eyes
I will dry them oh
I'm on your side
Oh when times get rough
And friends just can't be found
Like a bridge
Over troubled water
I will lay me down
Sail on silver girl
Sail on by
Your time has come
To shine
All your dreams are on their way
See how they shine
If you need a friends school look around I'm sailing
Right behind
Like a bridge
Over troubled water
I will ease your mind
Like a bridge
Over troubled water
I will ease your mind
Your mind
Ease your mind!
The lyrics to Clay Aiken's "Bridge Over Troubled Water" express a message of support and comfort to someone who is going through a difficult time. The opening lines paint a picture of someone who is weary, feeling small, and with tears in their eyes. The singer tells this person that they are not alone and that they will be there to offer comfort and support. The phrase "I will dry them, oh" is particularly poignant, as it conveys the intimacy of the relationship between the singer and the person they are addressing.
The chorus uses the metaphor of a bridge over troubled water to reinforce the message of support and comfort. Just as a bridge provides a pathway over an obstacle, the singer is offering a way for the person they are addressing to move through their troubled times. When the singer says "I will lay me down," he is indicating that he is willing to offer himself up as a foundation for the person who is struggling.
The final stanza of the song is a message of hope and encouragement. It tells the person that their time to shine has come and that all their dreams are on their way. The singer encourages them to look around and see that they have a friend sailing right behind them, ready to be a bridge over troubled water and ease their mind.
Line by Line Meaning
When you're weary
When you're exhausted and drained
Feeling small
Feeling insignificant and unimportant
When tears are in Your eyes
When you're crying and sad
I will dry them oh
I will comfort and support you emotionally
I'm on your side
I support you and will always be there for you
Oh when times get rough
When things get tough and difficult
And friends just can't be found
And you can't find the support you need from your friends
Like a bridge Over troubled water
I am like a bridge that will help you cross over difficult situations
I will lay me down
I will sacrifice for you and put your needs before my own
Sail on silver girl
Keep moving forward and don't give up hope
Sail on by
Keep going despite the difficulties
Your time has come To shine
It's your time to succeed and be noticed
All your dreams are on their way See how they shine
Your dreams are on their way and are glowing with potential
If you need a friends school look around I'm sailing
If you need a friend, just look around as I'm always here for you
Right behind
I'm there, supporting and encouraging you from behind
I will ease your mind
I will help you relax and ease your worries
Your mind
Your thoughts and emotions
Ease your mind!
Relax and let go of your anxieties!
Lyrics Ā© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Paul Simon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@justinvanveenar2953
17 years later this still holds up as one of the best performances in American Idol history
@sTyLnK
Best male contestant ever in American Idol. His range and vocals are unmatched. And if you disagree you have obviously never heard some of the notes he can hit in his music.
@spum789
Adam Lambert has entered the chat
@jodie1597
Yes, yes, yes!!! ā¤
@barbaracochrane4927
Agree
@jonathanfrederick4341
Clay Aiken and Adam Lambert the best male singer of american Idol ever that able hit high notes
@puarezentes9483
Him and adam
@brookeehrhardt5773
It is the year 2024 and I am still mad that this man is not an American Idol winner
@alexperkins8433
yes - BUT-- i dont think that is exactly the best gift. they had to do a big dog & pony show everywher e- and -- as is --- he became INSANELY successful & famous. imo his voice is GOAT from idol. that said - i also thought archuletta shouldve won.
@oswegoteacher
He blew it out of the water. He destroyed it. He should have won.