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.
Sleigh Ride
Clay Aiken Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you.
Outside the snow is falling and friends are calling, "Yoo-hoo!"
Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you.
Giddy-yap, giddy-yap, giddy-yap, let's go,
Let's look at the show
We're riding in a wonderland of snow.
Just holding your hand.
We're gliding along with a song of a wintery fairyland.
Our cheeks are nice and rosy and comfy-cozy are we.
We're snuggled up together like two birds of a feather would be.
Let's take that road before us and sing a chorus or two.
Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you.
There's a birthday party at the home of Farmer Gray.
It'll be the perfect ending of a perfect day.
We'll be singing the songs we love to sing without a single stop,
At the fireplace while we watch the chestnuts pop. Pop! Pop! Pop!
There's a happy feeling nothing in the world can buy,
When they pass around the turkey and the pumpkin pie.
It'll nearly be like a picture print by Currier and Ives.
These wonderful things are the things we remember all through our lives!
Just hear those sleigh bells jingling, ring-ting-tingling, too.
Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you.
Outside the snow is falling and friends are calling, "Yoo-hoo!"
Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you.
The lyrics of Clay Aiken's "Sleigh Ride" exude the jovial spirit of the season with a bouncy, melodic tune that calls for a fun-filled sleigh ride with loved ones. The song's opening lines create an audio imagery of sleigh bells ringing in tune with the lyrics being sung. The following verse invites one's company to enjoy the lovely weather that makes for a memorable sleigh ride. The verse describes the serene outdoor atmosphere of soft snowfall, while friends call out in excitement to join in on the fun.
The following verses express the excitement of being in the moment with one's partner on the sleigh ride, creating endearing moments and observation of the blissful surroundings. The song paints a warm, cozy, and joyful emotional atmosphere, elaborating on the beauty of holding hands with a loved one while riding through the winter wonderland. The lyrics also mention the festive atmosphere of a birthday party at Farmer Gray's home, recalling nostalgic memories of singing, enjoying chestnuts roasted on the fire, and eating sumptuous holiday feasts.
Overall, the lyrics of "Sleigh Ride" capture the nostalgic feeling of enjoying the winter season with loved ones, participating in festive occasions, and having an all-around great time.
Line by Line Meaning
Just hear those sleigh bells jingling, ring-ting-tingling, too.
Listen to the sound of the cheerful and delightful sleigh bells ringing.
Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you.
Let's take advantage of the pleasant winter weather and go on a sleigh ride together.
Outside the snow is falling and friends are calling, "Yoo-hoo!"
The snow is falling down while our friends are calling out with excitement.
Giddy-yap, giddy-yap, giddy-yap, let's go,
Encouragement to the horses to get moving with enthusiasm.
Let's look at the show
Let's enjoy the sights and sounds of the winter wonderland around us.
We're riding in a wonderland of snow.
We are enjoying a peaceful and wonderful ride in an area filled with snow.
Giddy-yap, giddy-yap, giddy-yap, it's grand,
Nothing can be more exciting and thrilling than horseback-riding in the snow.
Just holding your hand.
Being near and holding hands with a loved one is a very calming, and fulfilling experience.
We're gliding along with a song of a wintery fairyland.
Going with the motion while peacefully and cheerfully singing the wintery fairytale songs.
Our cheeks are nice and rosy and comfy-cozy are we.
We are both bundled up warmly in our winter clothing, and feeling very comfortable together.
We're snuggled up together like two birds of a feather would be.
We are snuggled up close to each other like two lovebirds, accompanying each other to overcome the cold weather together.
Let's take that road before us and sing a chorus or two.
Let's enjoy the journey and sing joyous tunes together.
Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you.
It's perfect weather, so let's continue our joyful ride on this sleigh journey together.
There's a birthday party at the home of Farmer Gray.
There's a birthday celebration at Farmer Gray's house.
It'll be the perfect ending of a perfect day.
It'll be a great way to end an already perfect day.
We'll be singing the songs we love to sing without a single stop,
We'll be filled with jubilation and sing our favorite songs without any breaks.
At the fireplace while we watch the chestnuts pop. Pop! Pop! Pop!
While sitting by the fireplace, we'll enjoy the warm fireside, and hear the chestnuts popping delightfully.
There's a happy feeling nothing in the world can buy,
There's a sense of absolute contentment which can't be bought or acquired in this world.
When they pass around the turkey and the pumpkin pie.
When the turkey and pumpkin pie are being shared among everyone, the happiness is at its peak level.
It'll nearly be like a picture print by Currier and Ives.
It'll nearly be like a Currier and Ives picture; the perfection of the scene will be almost too much to believe.
These wonderful things are the things we remember all through our lives!
These spectacular moments in time will be cherished and forever remembered.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Leroy Anderson, Mitchell Parish
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind