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.
I Will Carry You
Clay Aiken Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, I know you're scared
Walkin' down
The road that leads
To who-knows-where
Don't'cha hang your head
Don't'cha give up yet
To disappear
I will be right here
When your world
Breaks down
And the voices tell you,
"Turn around"
When your dreams
Give out
I will carry you
Carry you
When the stars
Go blind
And the darkness starts to
Flood your eyes
When you're fallin'
Behind
I will carry you
Everybody cries
Everybody bleeds
No one ever
Said that life's
An easy thing
That's the beauty of
When you lose your way
Close your eyes
'N' go to sleep
Wake up to
Another day
When your world
Breaks down
And the voices tell you,
"Turn around"
When your dreams
Give out
I will carry you
Carry you
When the stars
Go blind
And the darkness starts to
Flood your eyes
When you've fallen
Behind
I will carry you
You should know now
That you're not alone
Take my heart and we will find
You will find
Your way ho-ome
When the stars
Go blind
And the darkness starts to
Flood your eyes
When you've fallen
Behind
I will carry you
Carry you
I will carry you
Carry you
In the song "I Will Carry You," Clay Aiken offers words of comfort and assurance to a person who is hurting and afraid, walking down the road that leads to an unknown destination. Despite the difficulties and discouragements that come along the way, Aiken urges the person not to give up, reminding them that together, they can get through the hard times. The chorus provides a powerful image of Aiken's commitment to offering support and carrying the weight of the other person's struggles. He promises to be there when the world breaks down, the voices tell the person to turn around, their dreams give out, the stars go blind, and the darkness floods their eyes. In other words, Aiken suggests that no matter what happens, he will not abandon the other person and will provide unwavering support.
The song is a beautiful expression of empathy and compassion. It acknowledges that life can be challenging and that everyone struggles at times. It paints a vivid picture of the struggle to stay on one's path and the fear that comes along with change and uncertainty. Yet, at the same time, it provides a message of hope and reassurance. The person is not alone, and they have someone who will be there to help them through the hard times. The song is an uplifting reminder that love and support can make a vast difference in difficult situations.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, I know it hurts
I understand that you are experiencing pain and it is difficult for you.
Yeah, I know you're scared
I understand that you are afraid and uncertain about what the future holds.
Walkin' down
Moving along
The road that leads
The path that takes you
To who-knows-where
An uncertain destination
Don't'cha hang your head
Do not let your troubles overwhelm you
Don't'cha give up yet
Do not surrender to despair
When courage starts
When your bravery falters
To disappear
Vanish
I will be right here
I will be present to support you through this difficult time.
When your world
When everything in your life
Breaks down
Falls apart
And the voices tell you,
When negative thoughts and doubts arise
"Turn around"
Urge you to give up
When your dreams
When your aspirations
Give out
Falter or fail
I will carry you
I will provide you with strength and support.
When the stars
When every bit of light and hope
Go blind
Fades away
And the darkness starts to
When despair sets in
Flood your eyes
Overwhelms you
When you're fallin'
When you are in peril
Behind
Unable to keep up
Everybody cries
Everyone experiences sadness
Everybody bleeds
Everyone endures pain and suffering
No one ever
Nobody
Said that life's
Claimed that existence is
An easy thing
Without difficulty.
That's the beauty of
That's what is wonderful about
When you lose your way
When you feel lost and directionless
Close your eyes
Shut out external distraction
'N' go to sleep
Allow yourself to rest
Wake up to
Rise and feel
Another day
A new beginning
You should know now
It is important for you to understand
That you're not alone
That you have people who care about you
Take my heart and we will find
Accept my love and let me help you
You will find
You will discover
Your way ho-ome
The path that leads you to a safe, comfortable place.
I will carry you
I will remain at your side and provide you comfort and support.
Carry you
Carry you
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LINDY ROBBINS, JESS CLAYTON CATES, DENNIS MATKOSKY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind