I was five when he lost. That moment was one of the saddest I can remember of that age. I convinced my mom to take me to the American Idol concert that year just to see him. Still adore him.
He didn't lose by a long shot. They say he lost by like 130,000 votes and considering tens of millions of votes were sent in, that's a small gap. The way I see it, the winner could've been either him or Ruben. They were pretty evenly matched. It all came down to the wire.
I had to come back to re-live this phenomenon. OMG! Such a great voice, such great performances. He still gives me chills. I don't care if I wouldn't do the same for him. It's the voice, and his sweet countenance.
This AI2 moment never gets old! Thank you for sharing. I agree with streakofmusic - there will never be another talent like Clay. To this day AI has tried to duplicate the magic of a Clay and Ruben finale without sucess. And none of their people have go on to give as much of themselves for music variety, charity support, or social change as Clay. Truely Unique - One of a kind.
I'm going back down memory lane tonight! I've loved his voice since his audition for the show. Such a sweet, humble, beautiful soul! Thank You for uploading these videos. XO UPDATE for Clay Aiken: He's age 44 as of 2022. He's a singer, actor, songwriter, TV personality, Social activist, and author. In 2008 he became a daddy ❤️. In 2014, he ran for the United States House of Representatives in North Carolina's 2nd congressional district! He's a very busy young man.
this song is so good, give it Clay to sing, and it's more than just a song! His voice turns this heartfelt song into a gift of the heart! Thank you Clay... you're so powerful and yet humble.
If I had watched Idol the season Clay made his debut, I would've been upset too that he didn't win (became a fan during Rewind). I can see why the ppl who voted for him aren't over it yet. Clay is phenomenal!!! He has THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VOICE I've ever heard!!! Good looking, too. I like his hands, very slender fingers (I hope that's not too weird). He can sing anything!!!
I care that he's gay, but only because I am still insanely in love with him. His voice is beautiful and it touches you. You know when he is singing that he is touching you with his words and his feelings and that he doesn't just think of you as one other person in the crowd. He makes every member in his audience feel like he's singing to them.
The only reason women care that he's gay is because they're all in love with him, and the men care because they hate the fact that even as a gay man, he's still competition for them with the ladies. His voice is wonderful, and he'll make some man very lucky one day!
he's so cute! His voice always makes me melt. omg! he may have gotten runner up but in the end i think he went farther than ruben studdard did. Love him, Love him, Love him, Love him!!!
Am not dissing Kelly or Carrie since each is a great recognized artist in her own right. But I can think of several local singers who sound similar to either of them. For whatever reason Aiken has not been given as much recognition as other Idols (unusual to expect since he never won the title), I can't think of any other male performer who can match his voice which is just quite unique. My point: I like the atypical. Just my 2 cents.
Exactly! I was 11 years old and I remember it so vividly. The phone lines were insane that night. If it wasn't for the phone lines jamming Clay would have won.
In Re:Gladys Knight's comment.Everything about Clay is so "magical". His look, his voice, the things he cares about. He so relaxes me any day of the week.Clay's it for me for a while, I imagine.I'm looking forward to a concert tour in the future so I can be in the same arena where the magic takes place. Glad to find someone out there who feels the way I do. Sign me-Claymate 4life.
What an amazing performance so early in the competition & Clay continues to top himself. I'm so glad he made it thru to the finale, it's a shame he didn't win. He certainly deserves to be the American Idol. He's the best male artist of any AI season.
i've played that high note like 5 times and each time i get chills. he really is amazing. i hate how he kinda faded out of the scene ever since he came out of the closet.
I think Clay is one of the best entertainers of this time and his name will go down history books for decades to come. Love you Clay. And he's cute as hell too!!
This was the first song I ever heard Clay sing- during the AI Halfway Home pisode. Pretty much one of my first AI songs too. I still think he should've won that year
For people who dont understand the "mice" comment. The song is from a movie called "An American Tale", which is about a mouse called Fifel. The comment had nothing to do with Clay... Sheesh.
Still watching this in 2019. My favourite idol ever.
this was the REAL winner of AI2!! what a voice,what a voice,what a voice!! still makes the hair on my arms stand at attention! LOVE IT!!
I haven't watched this performance in a long time. God, what a voice. Still gets to me after all this time.
He knew how to make a song his own! The guy is brilliant!
I was five when he lost. That moment was one of the saddest I can remember of that age. I convinced my mom to take me to the American Idol concert that year just to see him. Still adore him.
He didn't lose by a long shot. They say he lost by like 130,000 votes and considering tens of millions of votes were sent in, that's a small gap. The way I see it, the winner could've been either him or Ruben. They were pretty evenly matched. It all came down to the wire.
I wish I could also buy a cd with him singing this song completely cos its a fave of mine and he's absolutely awesome.
Massive respect to Clay!
I still get goosebumps when he hits the big note in this song. His voice is just so pure. I love it!
I think the fact that he hit that last note bad just made him even more adorable.
I had to come back to re-live this phenomenon. OMG! Such a great voice, such great performances. He still gives me chills. I don't care if I wouldn't do the same for him. It's the voice, and his sweet countenance.
This AI2 moment never gets old! Thank you for sharing. I agree with streakofmusic - there will never be another talent like Clay. To this day AI has tried to duplicate the magic of a Clay and Ruben finale without sucess. And none of their people have go on to give as much of themselves for music variety, charity support, or social change as Clay. Truely Unique - One of a kind.
The best singer ever. I miss him💕
after all this time, this particular performance still gives me goosebumps :)
he is incredible
I love his poise and composure as he sings. Brilliant voice!
This was the first song I ever heard Clay Aiken sing. I was hooked.
Indeed!
Me2
Great performance, great song and Clay nailed it!
Clay has such a BEAUTIFUL smile!!! :)
just seems yesterday that I remember watching this on my couch on my 20 inch CRT TV (now I feel Old) :(
He Still gives me the chills!!! Best of the best!!!!!
This guy has a fantastic tone and phrasing. Great vocalist
He's so cute. I really love his hair and his innocent boyish smile.
I'm going back down memory lane tonight!
I've loved his voice since his audition for the show.
Such a sweet, humble, beautiful soul!
Thank You for uploading these videos. XO
UPDATE for Clay Aiken:
He's age 44 as of 2022.
He's a singer, actor, songwriter, TV personality, Social activist, and author.
In 2008 he became a daddy ❤️.
In 2014, he ran for the United States House of Representatives in North Carolina's 2nd congressional district!
He's a very busy young man.
American Idol GOAT
Clay "himself" is SO Pure,
His talent is truely amazing :D
I love his voice and the way He can make the songs sound special and unique even if its a cover :)
What a voice! I just love his deep register, his phrasing is fabulous!
Makes me want to vote for him! Loved this performance!!
Another song that brings me to tears, wow Clay you are amazing
this song is so good, give it Clay to sing, and it's more than just a song!
His voice turns this heartfelt song into a gift of the heart!
Thank you Clay... you're so powerful and yet humble.
sigh. he is just amazing. this was one of my favorite performances...but hell, all of his performances were AMAZING.
honesty this is the best performance ever..
pure voice, and a heart-calming song..
Absolutely love this man. Perfection
All I can say is wow! he's one of the best contestant ever graced in american idol
Me too. I've refused to watch American Idol ever since he lost.
He's so talented. I love him!
If I had watched Idol the season Clay made his debut, I would've been upset too that he didn't win (became a fan during Rewind). I can see why the ppl who voted for him aren't over it yet. Clay is phenomenal!!! He has THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VOICE I've ever heard!!! Good looking, too. I like his hands, very slender fingers (I hope that's not too weird). He can sing anything!!!
that song is so freakin' hard to sing. the fact that he pulled that off is AMAZING!
If this contest was based solely on voice alone, then Clay Aiken would be the greatest American Idol ever...
never saw this episode and im soooo srry i missed it...as soon as he started i got major goose-bumps
Bravo! love this performance. And what a smile.
Such a GREAT voice!! We need a tour... NOW !
i get goosebumps when ever he sings he soooo good hes my hero
i think he is the most talented person who was ever on american idol. he should have won
he is such a cutie and boy can he sing!
...................great singer and great talent
I care that he's gay, but only because I am still insanely in love with him. His voice is beautiful and it touches you. You know when he is singing that he is touching you with his words and his feelings and that he doesn't just think of you as one other person in the crowd.
He makes every member in his audience feel like he's singing to them.
This performance made me horny!
His voice just melts me
I always loved his voice you still got it clay¹
amazing. everything clay sang is beautiful.
A beautiful, manly voice that kept on getting better!
....wow best idol hope clay will come to the philippines and make a concert here...
That SKYYY...was a high Bflat, equals with the last high note in Puccini's opera Tosca's Recondita Armonia.
The only reason women care that he's gay is because they're all in love with him, and the men care because they hate the fact that even as a gay man, he's still competition for them with the ladies. His voice is wonderful, and he'll make some man very lucky one day!
he's so cute! His voice always makes me melt. omg! he may have gotten runner up but in the end i think he went farther than ruben studdard did. Love him, Love him, Love him, Love him!!!
Am not dissing Kelly or Carrie since each is a great recognized artist in her own right. But I can think of several local singers who sound similar to either of them. For whatever reason Aiken has not been given as much recognition as other Idols (unusual to expect since he never won the title), I can't think of any other male performer who can match his voice which is just quite unique. My point: I like the atypical. Just my 2 cents.
I had loved him since his audition, but this performance made me a claymate! :D
....wow best idol hope clay will come to the philippines and make a concert here
They didn't have enough phonelines. The phonelines jammed. Clayfans could not get through to vote!!!!
Exactly! I was 11 years old and I remember it so vividly. The phone lines were insane that night. If it wasn't for the phone lines jamming Clay would have won.
When the girl says "sexy" I was like yep
beautiful. What a voice. :)
Thank you God for giving the world another amazing voice.
ahh that was such an amazing concert!!!
Love you, Clay....
Yes, it's true, his voice is so so pure. Unbelievable.
In Re:Gladys Knight's comment.Everything about Clay is so "magical". His look, his voice, the things he cares about. He so relaxes me any day of the week.Clay's it for me for a while, I imagine.I'm looking forward to a concert tour in the future so I can be in the same arena where the magic takes place. Glad to find someone out there who feels the way I do. Sign me-Claymate 4life.
one of the best voices
No doubt the guy's a great singer.
What an amazing performance so early in the competition & Clay continues to top himself. I'm so glad he made it thru to the finale, it's a shame he didn't win. He certainly deserves to be the American Idol. He's the best male artist of any AI season.
I still think Ruben Studdard winning this season was a cooked! Clay Aiken should have won!💕💕💕
WOW. he sounds SOOOOOOO good.
What a voice!
Fantastic vocals. Clay if you see this PLEASE record this song.
i've played that high note like 5 times and each time i get chills. he really is amazing. i hate how he kinda faded out of the scene ever since he came out of the closet.
Absolutely Beautiful!!!
You nailed it *****
Think I"ll have to cover this song next....
Such control! Wow!
I think Clay is one of the best entertainers of this time and his name will go down history books for decades to come. Love you Clay.
And he's cute as hell too!!
Clay is the best of the best...and always will be...
To be honest, there's not many male singer with powerful vocal like Clay nowadays.
nowhere near Kelly? oh well yes he goddamn is!
This was the first song I ever heard Clay sing- during the AI Halfway Home pisode. Pretty much one of my first AI songs too. I still think he should've won that year
Clay is good
another amazing singer with a very pure and poverful voice is Fady Maalouf
yes he has power, still
He looked so cute on 3:01!!! I love u so much Clay!!!
I agree with you jenhsc...
I thought he SHOULD of been the AMERICAN IDOL for that year PERIOD.....
You go Clay....-)
Bah!!! look at Ryan!!! What was he thinking? That hair.. that outfit! Hahahahahaha.!!!
totally made my night.
incredible!
great comments all around. I have to sgree with Gladys Knight - magical. And Simon said he was the one to beat.
My god, it cant be legal for someone to be so cute. When he sticks his tongue out for a moment during the comments part!! eep!
AMAZING.
God, I love Clay.
Clay still remains my #1 Idol of all time. Along with Carrie,Daughtry,David Cook,Fantasia,Jennifer,Elliot..........
For people who dont understand the "mice" comment. The song is from a movie called "An American Tale", which is about a mouse called Fifel. The comment had nothing to do with Clay... Sheesh.
I love Clay......
I really really do
Gradys Knight! Finally a real judge. She is a legend!
Amazing!❤️
Amen to that Timsubs! Hands down...no one else really campares to Clay!
This was the ONLY season that America choose the wrong winner!
1:43 Oh the smile ^^
powerful vocals...
I love Gladys Knight. She's so kind!
amazing.........................
I KNOW I LOVED IT!!