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.
Open arms
Clay Aiken Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And everything you ever thought was right, was wrong?
And what if everyone you ever loved was torn from the pages of your life?
Would you reach out for tomorrow or try to turn back time?
These open arms will wait for you
These open arms can pull us through
Between what's left and left to do
These open arms will wait for you
Did you really love the ones you said you loved, think twice
And did you make a bit of difference in somebody else's life?
Tell me is there someone you can count on when you need a friend?
Can you see I need a friend?
These open arms will wait for you
These open arms can pull us through
Between what's left and left to do
These open arms, these open arms
These open arms will wait for you
Surrendering high
Give in, stop questioning why
Open your heart up to love
And you'll see, you will find
These open arms will wait for you
These open arms, they can pull us through
Between what's left and left to do
These open arms, these open arms
These open arms, these opened arms
These open arms will wait for you
These lyrics are about the power of love and the idea that when everything is falling apart, there are still open arms that will wait for you. The song asks the listener to consider what they would do if they lost everything they ever took for granted, and challenges them to think about whether or not they have been truly loving and made a difference in someone else's life. Despite the hardships of life, the song encourages the listener to have hope and to keep moving forward, knowing that there are open arms that can pull us through.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "These open arms will wait for you," emphasizing the idea that no matter what happens, there are still people out there who will love and support you. The lyrics recognize that life can be challenging and difficult, but they encourage the listener to surrender to love and to trust that everything will work out in the end.
Overall, the song is a message of hope and encouragement, reminding us that we are not alone and that love can help us through even the toughest of times.
Line by Line Meaning
What if everything you ever took for granted was gone?
Imagine if everything you thought would never change suddenly did. What would you do?
And everything you ever thought was right, was wrong?
Imagine if everything you thought was true suddenly turned out to be wrong. What would you do?
And what if everyone you ever loved was torn from the pages of your life?
Imagine if everyone you loved was suddenly out of your life. What would you do?
Would you reach out for tomorrow or try to turn back time?
Would you move forward or try to go back in time to change things?
These open arms will wait for you
I will be here for you.
These open arms can pull us through
We can get through this together.
Between what's left and left to do
We have decisions to make about what's next.
Did you really love the ones you said you loved, think twice
Take a moment to reflect on your past relationships and whether or not you truly loved them.
And did you make a bit of difference in somebody else's life?
Think about whether you made a positive impact on someone else's life.
Tell me is there someone you can count on when you need a friend?
Do you have someone you can turn to when you need help?
Can you see I need a friend?
I need someone to be there for me.
Surrendering high
Letting go.
Give in, stop questioning why
Stop trying to figure out why things happened and just accept them.
Open your heart up to love
Allow yourself to love and be loved.
And you'll see, you will find
Once you open yourself up to love, you'll find what you're looking for.
These open arms, they can pull us through
We can get through this together.
These open arms, these open arms
I am here for you, waiting to offer my support.
These open arms, these opened arms
I am here for you, waiting to offer my support.
These open arms will wait for you
I will be here for you.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DESMOND CHILD, JON BON JOVI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Amanda Simeone
I still remember sitting on the couch watching this with my family and we all absolutely fell in love with THAT VOICE!!!!!
Becky Looney
His voice thrills me all the way to my toes!!! Always will be my #1 Idol!!!
dee m
Wow! Just like Paula said about this performance. Clay's voice is brilliant! He makes every word of this song believable. He sings it with such conviction. I'm so glad he made it to the finale. That way, we have an entire season of knock-out performances. Every performance is better than the one before. God blessed this young man with a beautiful voice and He blessed us when He showcased him on Idol. His music brings continues joy into my life. Love his new album.
Robyn Weir
I totally remember this! I loved Clay back then and I still do. He has a great voice!
dcba720
this is a prime example of someone with an absolutly amazing voice that these record companies changed into a pop singer when he is far too good to just be a pop singer
Betty Davies
You should hear him sing the whole song, its beautiful :D
FollyxXxFallen
Beautiful pure voice
BelindXIAH
i love his singing voice =]
pineapplelesson
I remember back when they used to do the first rounds in the studio! Wow... I am old! lol Love his voice. I remember when Simon told him to "stop making the stupid faces" when he sings! lol. So talented though!
kindergartencow
I'm auditioning with this song haha.. I don't think I can do it justice like clay did.