We Love Clay's CD A Thousand Different Ways

Clay Aiken's new release, A Thousand Different Ways, showcases some of the highest charting love songs from the 70s, 80s and 90s. Included in the mix are four new original songs in addition to the ten classic covers. There are also two bonus tracks available - a free download with a CD purchase from KMart (the Motown gem If You Dont Know Me By Now,) and an original song, written by Clay, called Lover All Alone, free with a download of the CD from iTunes. The staff of Claymaniacs.com is a diverse group, so we thought we would each share our favorite two songs. Why two? Well, you know we couldn’t pick just one!

One of the new songs, Lonely No More, earns Clay his first official co-writing credit. Right now, it’s a personal favorite. A slight melancholy tone graces the lone piano at the beginning, but not for long. The lyrics, graceful with yearning yet rich with possibility as well, carry us to the bridge, which swells to an almost passion filled challenge, and finally evolves to a sweet conclusion. One that makes me wonder if the singer may be ...lonely no more.

Take me in, take me home, I cant stand to be alone
Help me paint the picture of my life, dont you disappear and leave me here tonight…

Now, let’s hear from woodstock854 about her favorites!

"Choosing a favorite is ALWAYS hard, because Clay is SO good, but my favorite song on this CD is Without You. Clay has an AMAZING voice. We all know that. And some songs showcase it better than others. I truly believe this song showcases the VOX that we all love. There are soft, tender notes, vibrato, and GLORY notes that EVERY Clay fan loves. When I hear this song, I FEEL Clay around me. This song showcases his incredible range, and beautiful style. When he open ups and belts the notes out, I could just and never get up!!! And to do that with this amount of confidence, gives me a new respect for Clay and his wonderful singing ability.

I listen to this song EVERY day multiple times. I cant get enough of this beautiful voice. And I hope I never will. Please keep it up, Clay!!! We love you!!!"

Oh, I cant forget this evening, or your face as you were leaving
But I guess thats just the way the story goes…..

"My second favorite song on the CD is A Thousand Days. This song has grown on me since it was previewed. I have listened to it over and over. Not only does Clay sound GREAT (of course) but I think it is one of the "catchiest" songs on the CD. It is one of those that you find yourself humming over and over again. It is upbeat, but the lyrics are so meaningful. "Come with me, and I will never let you down." (I am on my way, Clay.) I BELIEVE him when I hear the lyrics. WOW!!! That makes a song great for me. And it contains a Glory note!!! I am a goner. It shows how strong Clays voice is. And this song translates well to a live performance, as we saw on GMA. I thought that performance was SUPERB!!! He was able to change up the song enough to make it sound very fresh. And everyone was singing along!!! It is easy to remember the words. I think this song is a real winner, and will be one of the most popular ones when he tours again. I LOVE IT!!!"

Read the rest of the Claymaniacs' staff member reviews at Claymaniacs.com!

Top Hits of the 80s: A Musical Flashback

According to About.com, these were the top hits of the 1980s.

1) The Police-"Every Breath You Take"
2) Survivor-"Eye of the Tiger"
3) Foreigner-"I Want to Know What Love Is"
4) Van Halen-"Jump"
5) U2-"With or Without You"
6) Guns N' Roses-"Sweet Child o' Mine"
7) Whitney Houston-"So Emotional"
8) Bonnie Tyler-"Total Eclipse of the Heart"
9) Lionel Richie & Diana Ross-"Endless Love"
10) J. Geils Band-"Centerfold"

Hey, where's the punk rock, new wave, glam rock selections? It matters not, as they would not be appropropriate for this exercise anyway. Unless you have a vivid imagination.

Of these selections, Clay will be dueting with Suzie O'Neil (Rock Star: INXS)on I Want to Know What Love Is on his upcoming release A Thousand Different Ways. Should be nice vox combo. But hey, wouldn't it be fun to imagine how Clay would cover some of these other tunes?

I love Sting, and the Police. Saw them in concert back in the real 80s. Every Breath You Take is, believe it or not, a love song; a classic, well constructed tune about obsessive love, laid down over a sweetly hypnotic melody that belies the dark overtones of the lyrics. If Clay sang this song, he would drive the Claymate masses mad with longing. Wouldn't it be ironic if his first two radio hits were songs having to do with obsessive attraction (see Invisible)? Considering the obsessive nature of some of his own fans, it would be a delicious irony.

Eye of the Tiger, forget about it. Clay would never sing a song about... a cat!

Jump would not be a good choice for Clay, as the song is mostly about the instrumentation and not the lyrical interpretation. But, I do admit I wouldn't mind seeing him do the David Lee Roth *jump!* In fact, I might buy a ticket for that.

Now we get down to business. U2 is a long time favorite; one I've yet to score tickets to see live. Came close when they were in Charlotte last year, but there was a matter of a little "joyful" holiday tour I was attending, in Camden NJ and Washington DC, that fell on the day before and the day after U2 was in Charlotte. Nothing like a kick in the butt by Karma.

Clay opened his solo tour with a rousing version of U2's Where the Streets Have No Name. However, With or Without You is a song made for Clay. According to Wikipedia, not only is it U2's most covered song, but also one of their most overtly emotional ones. A song of love, and loss, pain, and pleasure, the lyrics are simple but the melody builds until it rips your heart out, flings it around a couple of times, then slams it on the ground.

My hands are tied
My body bruised, she's got me with
Nothing to win and
Nothing left to lose

And you give yourself away
And you give yourself away
And you give
And you give
And you give yourself away

With or without you
With or without you
I can't live
With or without you

Insecurity, anxiety, angst - all the requirements for a song of passion. Should Clay ever decide to sing this song, he would have a bunch of wrung out fangirls on his hands.

It wouldn't be the first time.

Next up, the bottom five!