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.
On My Way Here
Clay Aiken Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On that black and white kitchen floor
I sometimes wonder if that house
Is even there, anymore
I had my first glimpse of love
When I was five
I watched two people split apart
But still the three of us survived
I've seen the best
I've seen the worst
I wouldn't change what I've been through
I've touched the sky
I've hit the wall
But I did what I had to
Oh
[Chorus]
On my way here
Where I am now
I've learned to fly
I have to want to leave the ground
I've fallen hard
But I've been loved
And in the end it all works out
My faith has conquered fear
On my way here.
Oh yeah yeah
My address has changed
Almost every year
I've found that standing still
Can quickly make a lifetime disappearI'd rather try and fail
A thousand times denied
And this, whenever you feel pain
It lets you know that you're alive
I've been a fool
I've been afraid
Yeah, I've been loved
I've been lied to
I've been wrong
And I've been right
I stood up when I had to
Yeah yeah
[Chorus]
No guarantees
I believed that I would find
An open door or a light
To lead me to the other side
I guess that is why
[Chorus]
Yeah
Oh
In Clay Aiken's song "On My Way Here," the lyrics express the artist's reflection on the journey of his life. He begins by recalling his earliest memories, wondering if the house he grew up in still exists. He recounts the moment he first witnessed love, as well as the pain that he felt when he saw two people that he cared for deeply split apart. Despite the pain, he reminds himself that even though things may get tough, he knows that he can survive.
In the second verse, Aiken notes how often he has moved throughout his life, and how remaining stagnant in one place can cause a lifetime to pass by in the blink of an eye. He acknowledges that he would rather fail countless times than never try, simply because it is the act of trying that makes us feel most alive. Although he has made mistakes, he has also been loved truthfully, and in his lowest moments, he still found the courage to stand up and keep going.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the realization that life is a journey with no guarantees. Yet, despite the uncertainty, Aiken has learned to find faith in the unknown and to overcome fear by facing it head-on. He knows that he will always find a way to succeed and conquer anything that comes his way. Ultimately, the song is about the journey that we all must take to find our place in the world, the lessons we learn along the way, and the wisdom we gain from each experience.
Line by Line Meaning
I took my first step
The beginning of the journey.
On that black and white kitchen floor
The place where the journey started.
I sometimes wonder if that house
The reminiscence of the past.
Is even there, anymore
The uncertainty of the present.
I had my first glimpse of love
The start of feeling emotions.
When I was five
The early age at which emotions were felt.
I watched two people split apart
The experience of seeing love fade away.
But still the three of us survived
The ability to come through hardships with strength.
I've seen the best
The existence of happy moments.
I've seen the worst
The presence of rough patches along the way.
I wouldn't change what I've been through
The acceptance of past experiences.
I've touched the sky
The feeling of success.
I've hit the wall
The experience of failure.
But I did what I had to
The persistence to keep going.
On my way here
The journey that led to the present.
Where I am now
The current state of being.
I've learned to fly
The realization of personal growth.
I have to want to leave the ground
The necessity of personal drive for progress.
I've fallen hard
The experience of failure and disappointment.
But I've been loved
The presence of support and caring.
And in the end it all works out
The assurance that everything will eventually be okay.
My faith has conquered fear
The strength of spiritual belief and conviction.
My address has changed
The adaptability to change and go with the flow.
Almost every year
The frequency and regularity of change.
I've found that standing still
The realization that stagnation can lead to complacency and a wasted life.
Can quickly make a lifetime disappear
The notion that time waits for no one.
I'd rather try and fail
The willingness to take risks and put oneself out there.
A thousand times denied
The persistence and determination to keep going despite setbacks.
And this, whenever you feel pain
The notion that pain is a reminder that we are alive and experiencing.
It lets you know that you're alive
The reminder that experiences, both good and bad, are part of life.
I've been a fool
The experience of making mistakes and learning from them.
I've been afraid
The experience of feeling scared and vulnerable.
I've been lied to
The experience of being deceived and misled by others.
I've been wrong
The experience of being incorrect or misguided.
And I've been right
The experience of being correct and successful.
I stood up when I had to
The ability to be strong in tough situations and stand up for oneself.
No guarantees
The reminder that life is unpredictable and uncertain.
I believed that I would find
The hope and optimism for positive outcomes.
An open door or a light
The sign of good things to come.
To lead me to the other side
The metaphorical transition from difficulties to success.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: CHRIS FAULK, HUNTER DAVIS, RYAN TEDDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@JasonLSmallsJunior
I took my first step
On that black and white kitchen floor
I sometimes wonder if that house
Is even there, anymore
I had my first glimpse of love
When I was five
I watched two people split apart
But still the three of us survived
I've seen the best
I've seen the worst
I wouldn't change what I've been through
I've touched the sky
I've hit the wall
But I did what I had to
Oh
On my way here
Where I am now
I've learned to fly
I have to want to leave the ground
I've fallen hard
But I've been loved
And in the end it all works out
My faith has conquered fear
On my way here.
My address has changed
Almost every year
I've found that standing still
Can quickly make a lifetime disappear
I'd rather try and fail
A thousand times denied
And this, whenever you feel pain
It lets you know that you're alive
I've been a fool
I've been afraid
Yeah, I've been loved
I've been lied to
I've been wrong
And I've been right
I stood up when I had to
On my way here
Where I am now
I've learned to fly
I have to want to leave the ground
I've fallen hard
But I've been loved
And in the end it all works out
My faith has conquered fear
On my way here.
No guarantees
I believed that I would find
An open door or a light
To lead me to the other side
I guess that is why
On my way here
Where I am now
I've learned to fly
I have to want to leave the ground
I've fallen hard
But I've been loved
And in the end it all works out
My faith has conquered fear
On my way here.
@coltzgurl0319
Faith has conquered fear on my way here ❤❤❤
@Triangleremodel
Yes it has
@JOHNNYSGIRL1960
His vocals in this song are mesmerizing!!!
@clayloveable
He is! What about it?? People shouldn't worry about that. That is his private life and should stay his private life. Clay has a BIG LOVING HEART!! And that is what I see in Clay. We need more people like Clay Aiken in this World... It would be a much better place to live. Clay has an AMAZING VOICE!!!! I would take Clay as a son, grandson or a brother any day. And be proud of him.. That's how much I love him... Love my Clay Aiken so much!!!!
@vickilynne6189
Clay has such a talent that many of wish we had. I just love to listen to him he make me feel better when i am down in the dumps. Thanks Cla
@linerichelieu7354
Me too
@DEFinitivelyHis
The man can just SING. Pure and simple. No need for digitally remastering anything here. We do not have enough voices like his out there right now. Gorgeous. What a super song.
@patniehaus1935
Hearing Clay sing makes every day better.
@lilygardner612
Clayaiken has a heart for his songs and he shows it and he can sing from the heart
@aprillovesdolphins869
Still love Clay in 2025!