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.
Shine
Clay Aiken Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
From every drop of rain
That's hanging over you
And you can say it's all a waste
Lost your time and space
There's nothing left to loose
Like a broken angel on the ground
Turn around
Everything you are
Everywhere you've been
Sinner and the saint that fight the battle within
Every place you go
Everybody knows
Shadows fall across the sun somrtimes
Shine
You are gonna shine
Every mirror of your soul
I know that you know
You are not forsaken
Hey butterfly open up your wearing eyes
And realize it's a trip we're taking
And the world will turn around again
And your shattered heart is gonna mend
In the end
Everything you are
Everywhere you've been
Sinner and the saint that fight the battle within
Every place you go
Everybody knows
Shadows fall across the sun sometimes
Shine
You are gonna shine
Baby let's go 'round and shoot the stars (you are gonna shine)
Watch the crescent moon smoke through your heart (you are gonna shine)
Shine
You are gonna shine
Shine
You are gonna shine
Everything you are
Everywhere you've been
Sinner and the saint that fight the battle within
Every place you go
Everybody knows
Shadows fall across the sun sometimes
Shine
Everything you are
Everywhere you've been
Sinner and the saint that fight the battle within
Every place you go
Everybody knows
Shadows fall across the sun sometimes
Shine
You are gonna shine
In "Shine," Clay Aiken speaks directly to someone who is feeling lost, discouraged, and trapped in their own negative mindset. The song opens with the suggestion that this person is trying to hide from the world and avoid any challenges that might come their way. They believe they have nothing left to lose and that their time and space have been wasted. However, Clay Aiken's lyrics don't allow for anyone to stay down for long. He encourages the listener to turn around, to look at their life and to keep moving forward.
As the song progresses, Aiken acknowledges that life's journey can be tough, and everyone is fighting battles within themselves. However, he also emphasizes that you can overcome it. The bridge of the song provides an almost whimsical sense of hope with the lyric, "Baby let's go 'round and shoot the stars / Watch the crescent moon smoke through your heart." Overall, the message of the song is simple yet powerful. Keep shining even when things get tough because brighter days are ahead.
Line by Line Meaning
You can try to hide away
You may attempt to disappear from the world around you.
From every drop of rain
You may try to avoid all the grief and hardships that come your way.
That's hanging over you
The troublesome events of your past may still be affecting you in the present.
And you can say it's all a waste
You may feel that everything in your life has ultimately been useless.
Lost your time and space
You may feel like you have no belonging or purpose in the world.
There's nothing left to loose
You may feel that you have nothing more to lose in life.
Like a broken angel on the ground
You may feel like a fallen, damaged version of yourself.
Like a symphony without a sound
You may feel like something is lacking or missing in your life, like harmony in a song.
Turn around
Look back on the past and try to change the present.
Everything you are
Explore every part of your identity.
Everywhere you've been
Reflect on all the places you've been to in your life.
Sinner and the saint that fight the battle within
Everyone has both good and bad sides that they struggle with internally.
Every place you go
No matter where you go in the world.
Everybody knows
Everyone can see the struggles you carry through life.
Shadows fall across the sun sometimes
Dark times can appear in even the brightest moments.
Shine
Be radiant in your own unique way.
You are gonna shine
You will find your place in the world, and radiate a unique light.
Every mirror of your soul
All the inner reflections of your ideals and values.
I know that you know
You are aware of your own strengths and weaknesses.
You are not forsaken
You are not alone in your struggles.
Hey butterfly open up your wearing eyes
Take notice of the world around you and come alive.
And realize it's a trip we're taking
Understand that life is a journey to be experienced, rather than a destination.
And the world will turn around again
Even in hard times, the world will always continue to spin and life will continue.
And your shattered heart is gonna mend
Your broken heart will eventually heal and become whole again.
In the end
Ultimately, everything will be okay.
Baby let's go 'round and shoot the stars
Let's explore the vast possibilities of life together.
Watch the crescent moon smoke through your heart
Experience the beauty and wonder of life, and let it ignite joy within you.
Shine
Be radiant in your own unique way.
You are gonna shine
You will find your place in the world, and radiate a unique light.
Shine
Be radiant in your own unique way.
You are gonna shine
You will find your place in the world, and radiate a unique light.
Everything you are
Explore every part of your identity.
Everywhere you've been
Reflect on all the places you've been to in your life.
Sinner and the saint that fight the battle within
Everyone has both good and bad sides that they struggle with internally.
Every place you go
No matter where you go in the world.
Everybody knows
Everyone can see the struggles you carry through life.
Shadows fall across the sun sometimes
Dark times can appear in even the brightest moments.
Shine
Be radiant in your own unique way.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: REED PHILIP VERTELNEY, PETER GORDENO, LINDY ROBBINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind