It’s no secret that pop radio has never been particularly welcoming to American Idol‘s season 2 runner-up Clay Aiken, and so it makes sense that "On My Way Here," the lead single from his upcoming CD (due May 6), is aimed directly at an adult contemporary audience. Yet while Clay’s vocal is more restrained than usual on "On My Way Here" (huzzah!), the melody is surprisingly bland for an artist who’s already facing an uphill battle for airplay. (It would be like the new restaurant on the block choosing "toast with butter" as the house specialty.)
As for the lyrics, while things start somewhat promisingly — with flashbacks to Clay taking his first steps on a "black-and-white kitchen floor" and the dissolution of his parents’ marriage — it doesn’t take long for "On My Way Here" to devolve into a litany of clichés. I challenge your mind not to drift to other subjects (will Old Christine get a fourth season? Which is the stronger acting dynasty: The Baldwins or the Arquettes? Also: What’s for lunch?) as Clay touches the sky and hits the wall and learns to fly and does what he has to do (and so on and so forth).
No, I’ve never been a Claymate, but even so, this one’s disappointing. Listen for yourselves (after the jump) and then tell me what you think, PopWatchers!
LOVE it!!!
I like it.
I like it.
Eh, it gets a big “meh” from me. I have a feeling he knows his audience and this song is more for their tastes than any sort of crossover appeal. The new hair is kind of freaking me out though.
By the way, can somebody do something about this spambot that’s hitting all the threads? It’s particularly inappropriate on the Charlton Heston one.
Can’t bring myself to listen–those blond eyebrown and that hairdo are freaking me out…
LIKE ALOT OF FOREPLAY WITH NO SEX, IT HURT’S
I totally agree with you Slezak. I turned it on as I work and I totally forgot the song was even playing. It wasn’t horrible enough for me to want to turn it off, but it wasn’t memorable at all. (And the lyrics are a little too cliché)
Huh. This doesn’t suck. In fact, by the end, it was kind of growing on me. Good for Clay. I’ve always rooted for that guy.
LIKE ALOT OF FOREPLAY WITH NO SEX, IT HURT’S
It’s ok, nothing great, I think Clay needs to do an album of standards, I mean the 40′s & 50′s, I think his audience would eat it up, just like when he was on Idol and did such a great job with Mack The Knife.
I was a Clay fan when he was on Idol and immediately afterwards, but the new look (and sour attitude) are a total turn-off!
Gee, who would have ever guessed that you were not a Clay fan, Michael?
As for Pop radio not “embracing” Clay, give me a break! Pop radio plays whom they are PAID to play. Clive/RCA has no desire to pay for Clay to be on radio; ergo, no radio play. Do you really think people are that stupid?
Love it! Beautiful song. Not surprised in the least by your review though.
I guess my life must be a litany of cliches too cuz the lyrics hit me hard. I like it very much.
Beautiful song. Beautifully sung.
I think Ryan Tedder did a great job on the lyrics and Clay sings it with great feeling and style.