CLAY AIKEN - NEIL SEDAKA - SOLITAIRE

[KINGofWORLDmj]

I am so in love with Clay Aiken.... he is wonderful and just gorgeous as can be!!! Marry me Clay!!!!

[lanaty27]

it´s easy to see that Sedaka is proud of Clay Aiken, and what he did with his song.

[VvvVmeadowVvvV]

What a DIVA !!!!!

[billymaharisinungan]

AWESOME VOICE CLAY :)

[almack142]

awesome ,imo he,s right up there behind elvis sinatra and michael jackon and freddie mercury.he has the 1 thing they all did thats huge stage presence ,he owns the stage.incredible control of his undoubted huge voice.no one on this planet at the moment including buble, can come close to his breathtaking performances.he comes across as a very down to earth guy aswell and gsoh,he,s a credit to the music industry.and a great role model for any future contestant for ai or x factor.

[GWHIZist]

Thank You for this.Awesome ! Yes Thank You Neil.and Thank You Clay You brighten my world.

[sweetchinita143]

The most brilliant rendition of Solitaire by Clay Aiken so far...Love it!

[MrEdwige01]

This guy have a great voice...but no need to yell. We're not deaf!!!!

[dhavineable]

THUMBS UP BROOOOOO....

[ClaysSTO]

No one can sing that song any better than Clay Aiken. Sedaka was so right! Clay has an amazing voice -- and has recorded some excellent CDs. Check out On My Way Here and Tried and True. He toured last summer with Ruben in rocking good time concerts and recently toured on his new CD. Everyone should see Clay live in concert -- he's an all around entertainer -- with that great voice!

[andylanders1]

I still can't believe he came in as runner up to.......... um what's his name? I hear more of Clay then that other guy.

[cuzcatlan36]

this show is gay magnet

[JusticeForTheDead]

@cuzcatlan36 it has you interested (if what you said was meant as a put down), so what's the prob? :) There are a ton of GLBT singers that I know of in popular bands or solo acts (from Black Sabbath & Queen's leads to Ricky to Elton to George to KD Lang to Melissa Etheridge, to Adam Lambert, to on and on and on), I think it's because GLBT people have a lot of emotion, and are blessed quite often with strong vocals.

[cuzcatlan36]

@JusticeForTheDead I sure hope it is taken as a put down. there is an epidemic of homosexual tendencies around the world now more than ever. This world is becoming a Sodom and Gomorra. Perversion everywhere! God save us few from the Sodomites!!!!

[JusticeForTheDead]

@cuzcatlan36 "God save us few from the Sodomites" - LOL. Dude...sorry. I find your fascination against Gay people as being just "homosexual tendencies" (are you trying to admit something since you focus so much on it, sir?) oddly inappropriate. This world is becoming a Sodom city? really? I think "sin" itself has always been around, sir. Where have you been? There are Cruel believers, and Good hearted atheists & vice versa, but JESUS is the judge of them all! He knows who loves Him.

[cuzcatlan36]

@JusticeForTheDead What I find fascinating is the predictable language of acusing those that oppose homosexuality as "secretly wishing to express their love for that abomination". I find that in that accusation lies the admittance that homosexuality is wrong for a human being to practice it. Sin didn't always exist. God created men good in all forms. Adam and Eve's "CHOICE" to sin against God brought about this mess. Doing "good" is not enough for God, His Lordship over us is.

[daleo717]

It almost like, when Neil wrote that song, it was for Clay many years in the future on Idol--it truly is a clay aikin song now--wow incredible!!!

[SuperDevilLucifer]

look everybody three people are tone deaf !!!!!

[piglitlover]

I am still and always will be totally discusted that he did not win American Idol. His performance of this song alone should have won him the title. OMG!!!

[B52sguy]

Why in the world Clay Aiken did not win that season is still a mystery. If you would have had to log on to AI instead of all these other people calling on the phone, the outcome would have been Clay #1, not that fat guy; What was his name, Studdered or something?

Beautifu intro by Neil, and such Grace as a composer, lyricist, and performer.

Joseph F

Portland, OR USA

[planetrockford]

Neil Sedaka's humility was the true winner.

[pakantotmiss]

Why is he shouting?

[coomason5]

@pakantotmiss Who knows, but Neil Sedaka didn't lose this song to Clay as he had said. Neil Sedaka didn't scream like a lunatic the way Clay Aiken does.

[MegaMusicman34]

a good voice but not in the same league as neil who don't forget WROTE THIS SONG, which means that clay has not got the emotion or story telling capabilities in his voice as neil

[elfgirl3]

Clays version is very good.. but nothing can compare to the original Neil Sedaka

[nasateen13]

He has a good voice, I personally wouldn't say great.... but he's 100 times better than Adam Lambert. Reuben was awesome, you just can't take that away from him, he is good. Clay might have made it had he got a hairdresser. There is nothing remotely handsome about unkept hair!

All of our tastes run different. Personally my favorite male contestants were Hicks, Archuletta and Chikeze. And women. Jourdan, Lakisha and Melinda all in the same year, how unfair, all three deserved it.

[musicluvr0711]

the 2004 version is so amazing !!! one of my favorite songs !!! he has such an amazing vibrato !!!

[earthboy69]

neil sedaka, was just being nice... clay is a joke... come on people...explore music .. go back to when people could really interpet songs and play some could even play and write their own songs ....

[katzparov]

@earthboy6.........I don't remember ever hearing that ELVIS wrote his own songs. Nor Frank Sinatra for that matter.

Many big artists out there don't write their own songs.

[alaitain]

man ilove this song.. he can really hold a note a long time. he should have won america idol..

[newstart18]

Just amazing - the 2004 AI performance is lights out - unreal how good it is.

[monsonize]

..........who says that clay aiken is not great??? even neil sedaka aprobe clay aiken is agreat singer, he just own the song solitaire.......good job clay hope you will visit the Philippines for a concert

[britmanuk]

Sorry Neil, It will never be a Clay Aitkin song.....

[goombari]

just got the chills

[she0105blue]

great, effortless.wow! beautiful

[tipofmytongue1024]

Listen to the audience at the key change....wow...3:25

[r1111s]

Well, listen to Sissel with Neil and you will be blown away

[katzparov]

@r1111s Sissel is incredible !!!

[sweatyhot]

@tyme4mike I agree that Clay is a great singer. I think the reason he lost had nothing to do with him being white, maybe a little to do with rumors that he was gay, but I think Clay is a throwback. He doesn't really fit in any category of current singers. Hes unique and I think Simon and Randy particularly were looking for commercial pop singers. Clay can do Vegas or have a very commercial look or sound. Now though he is Clay Aiken and can do what the heck he wants.

[tyme4mike]

Aiken SMOKED Studdard in EVERY category you could dream up. Then again, dare I say, which upset fans would you want to deal with, an overweight black man who has friends in gangs and in a music genre that couldn't sing worth a shit, or a white gay man's? That's the ONLY reason Fat Reuben won and has spent the rest of his career fighting in the courts for the few lousy bucks he did make because all of the "friends" that milked him dry. That was complete bullshit. Clay destroyed Reuben..period.

[wolfeatworld]

I love this guy!!!!!!!!!!

[happynuts]

clay's dressed like he's ready to rob a bank.

[walkinghills]

Wow! He's a natural. Sings effortlessly.

[blacky825]

Clay is good but no one can sing Solitaire like Neil Sadaka!!

[Chadsdad12]

This song will never be perform any better then what it is now with Clay, i have heard Elvis and few more try this one out and i think Clay has made this song into a masterpiece

[brandykody11]

omg......I agree with all of you...no one has ever come close to his voice range on all the American Idol years....EVER!!!! 5 thumbs up

[goofys10]

Karen Carpenter has him beat hands down much better.

GoodTimeTraveler

Agreed!.

[modelkid19]

@goofys10 wrong solitaire

[pastacooker]

Glad to hear he used his time after American Idol well. He finally learned how to sustain a note on pitch.

This is a beautiful song, and he sings it very well. I wish he did it with Neil's lyrics though.

[GoodTimeTraveler]

Anyone with two ears knows Karen Carpenter owns Solitaire. Even Neil knew it.

Clays ok but he only sings it; Karen's version drips from her very viens.

[spottiehottie05]

@GoodTimeTraveler

Clay Aiken sings Solitare the best , how can u say that he rocks w his version. Sorry I loved her too but his is the best♥

[nocber]

Just heard this version of Clay (yes, I know .. been in the wilderness) and I'm blown away by it. Not a fan of him but this one is great. I think I'll go grab a Clay Aiken cd. Thanks for posting.

[geenee59]

No doubt Clay is very talented and has a fantastic voice, but... Neil Sedaka is still the king of Solitaire for me!

[joselineodile]

wow

[wjdwhddn123]

3:23 !!!!!!! WOW! He sings 16 minutes without breathe! Unbelievible

[shahrin245]

16minutes?.. lawl 16secs u mean?

[chaksheba]

What a great rendition he did...awesome vocals!

[iabaly]

Take care of your voice darling...

take care deeply of it....

I don't want to lose my soul again!

[MsBonnieBlue]

i got to say ! he is a true preformer...!!!!!!

[velvetalice]

I just love the way that smile lights up his face when he realizes that he was going to hit those high notes! (just after that fabulous low note around 3:18!:) Love you Clay..Come back to us, please!

[OKclaymate56]

I'm not gonna come and post Clay's biography cause that's lame, BUT, I wanted to say I love him, haha. He's forever my favorite. I wish he had more younger fans though. Booo.

Clay's the man! haha. <3

[omitchell04]

He reminds me of Barry Manilow which is a very good thing!

[baker358]

Obviously Neil and the judges disagree with you!!

I thought the performance as a contestant was brilliant!!

[omitchell04]

Don't listen if u don't like it. Y r u here?

[pywacket7]

What a range, I love his voice, I will never hear this song without getting a lump in my throat.

[anivlem30]

Adam and Clay are two very, very different artist.

Although, both have beautiful voices.

[1arielone]

Clay has a great gift of singing, which also allows him to use that gift to help children with learning disabilities. He was appointed to the White House Commitee for intellictual disabilities, co-founded Bubel/Aiken foundation for children with learning disabilities and Unicef Ambassador. That is very impressive!! Bravo Clay!!!

[daniic]

I took my dog for a 10 mile walk on the beach today, having Clay's version of Solitaire on repeat on my iPod the whole time. It's just so beautiful, it makes you think and it makes you admire his voice, the song and the lyrics. Superb!

[curviegurlie]

Adam's nowhere near the performer/singer that Clay is. have you seen clips of his concerts? u think Adam could sit there and have banters adn conversations and everyone in the audience just soaks it up? Clay's voice is superb. he doesn't need original songs. he makes every cover seem new and thats good enough.

[inatrampolina]

i have great admiration and respect for clay's voice... but this is pretty delusional of you, what you just said. its unfortunate as ppl who've put clay on this pedestal end up hurting his growth as an artist. overall, it's pretty lame comparing the two just becuz they were both gay white guys who made it to #2 on idol. in reality, they have nothing in common besides having been on the show. enough already.

[hotboy633]

amazing voice

[thepianomaniac]

SO SO GOOD!

[Joyfulness57]

Amazing. He truly does own this song. Too bad his albums couldn't have reached the levels of his covers.

[tripleBfordoubleG]

I miss the singer in this video - his face, his voice. He doesn't look like this guy anymore. He's still super though.

[joant1221]

I love Clay, Solitaire will always be a Clay Aiken song.

[terrorzilla]

I miss this Clay Aiken.

So much wasted potential and lousy albums. Such a shame.

[StereoTypeA]

I find a few songs I really like on each album. I don't think it's wasted potential. He's a successful recording artist, what would have been wasted potential is if he had never gone on American Idol and never got his voice to the public at all.

[WakingUpisHardtoDo]

I was a fan then and still am today, wow..what a talent

[pywacket7]

Amazing is the only word to describe this man's talent. Adam is coming right there too, only 5 years later and he has more edge.

[erginakif]

It will forever be Karen Carpenter's song.

[indigomorocco]

I feel Clay is a gifted performer but I wasn't feeling this...it was fine but no goosebumps - no spantaneous smile...just waiting. Oh well...Bridge over Troubled Waters - much better for me.

[clayeyes]

He still gives me goosebumps. He makes it looks so effortless....he set the standard, and so far no one can touch him.

[davey102001]

LOL - Clayney Aikenouston. To translate - a man Whitney Houston !!! LOL !!!

[WarCraftPwns]

Jim I agree about clay but not david A though.

[jimthewriter]

I love Clay's voice. And I love David A's voice. They both should have won. They were robbed!

[hotboy633]

really impressed..

[Shrinksjp]

Ou tof all the performers that night, Clay and Connie Francis were th eonly two to receive standing ovaions!

[AikenFerClay]

first time I've seen this rendition. Just like the single but live wow!

[baker358]

Amazing!! BEST contestant ever on Idol!!!

[sTyLnK]

Easily. No contestant comes close and still hasn't to this day. Make no mistake about it, there have been some great singers, but vocal and range wise Clay is the King. Anyone who thinks other wise is just lying to themselves. And if you truly think a contestant has a better range please tell me.

[Keiura]

Right now I think Adam Lambert has an even greater range, but he's a bit more manic than Clay.

[happynuts]

@sTyLnK but how about ADAM LAMBERT???! have you HEARD him on the zodiac show singin 'Crawl thru Fire'?

[katzparov]

@sTyLnK Range?...............Adam Lambert

[MJJMatrix]

@katzparov I love Adam Lambert, BUT he screams when he sings, Clay never does. He could sing a freaking phone book

[JusticeForTheDead]

@MJJMatrix hi dude! I love Adam too, and Clay. Just remember, there are people (a couple right around our comments even) who think Clay screams when he sings too. It's all personal opinions. I think Adam has a higher pitch even than Clay which is unworldly, so that often gets labeled screaming. Clay is a more natural classic singer, imho. Adam is a rocker, and I love them both! And I see your youtube name is MJ, crazy he's been gone two years already. :(

[ImsweetonClay]

This compilation is lovely! One of Clay's best performances in '03! Then '04--from the way Clay approaches the mic, clothes, hair, those luxurious lashes,gorgeous green eyes & that smile at the end. And his voice!! I think vocal training has made him sound even better. He seems to have refined his breathing technique. He can really hold a note! Absolutely beautiful!

[flavioffr]

Mais que perfeito, o cara é muito bom mesmo, sem comparação, ele guarda muitos outros cantores no bolso!

PERFECT, EXCELENT, VERY VERY VERY GOOD!

[blondiesister1]

An amazing song done to perfection by an amazing talent!

[debhaytx]

WOW! This is excellent. I loved hearing him sing this both years on American Idol. Easily the best talent from that show - all seven years.

[BkNy06]

3:24 wow?

[bocher222]

hes the beans

[borinquenbella]

BRAAVOOOOOOOO!!!!!

[marcelocanadea]

En el minuto 2,26" de la segunda parte de este video, hace la interpretación como la hacía Elvis, y al principio mas hacia el estilo de Neil Sedaka..fijense ne ese detalle vocal.

Marcelo.

[medrecs]

Great song, great singer. Neil Sedaka has written some of the greatest songs around and Clay could sing the phonebook! This man was born to sing,he has one of the best voices I have ever heard, FANTASTIC

[zlion71]

kind of has an elvis touch to him.he's got an amazing voice.not too many people can compare to him.he should have won idol hands down.ruben was good but clay aiken will be remembered.

[Ashes2isme]

AWESOME! Thank you for the double treat.

[LiteraryJet]

great !

[relize0108]

Awesome performance, Clay is the best in american idol history

[KingKeaton]

I just noticed while watching this clip: He looks like Brent Spiner playing Data from Star Trek.

[AnnaProphetess]

Wow! You're right!

[breezy501]

This guy is incredible.....holy cow.

[ImsweetonClay]

Such control! Such maturity! What a beautiful voice! Clay owns this song and commands the stage! Great job!

[NattieBeatlesLover]

perfect, perfect, PERFECT!!!

[baker358]

Clay was on medication that caused him to gain weight. He is no longer taking the medicine.

[asianguydenver]

I am shocked to see Clay looks gained too much weight..what's hes been eating? geez...

[romancecat]

and can you believe he got a sore throat when he sang the second solitaire ? so serious to call the doctor before he sang

it was just after his concert tour

just unbelievable

[romancecat]

yeah I read his autobiography it said he was thinking of his father while singing this

I can feel all of his emotions to his father are put in this one song

[saadwi]

love you, Clay....

[RedSoxFanLovesTaylor]

I'm always coming back to this video. Clay DOES "own" this song. I've never heard anyone do it better. What a tremendous voice this kid has. So very impressive.

Robin

[claymateloudnproud]

i always knew he was hot, but right there in the AI3 2004, he seems astonishingly hot

[wisermaw]

After all the fools made rude comments about his appearance, he's showing them now! I loved his voice from the first and knew that he would star. He's not just a singer, he's a man of substance, charm and I'm a proud American to claim him as one of us!

[19blueeyes53]

Clay Aiken will always be one of the greatest voices of all time. I am a huge Elvis fan but Clay's version of Solitaire blows the doors off of Elvis's. A forever fan.

[steviethecat]

I read in his autobiography that this song meant so much to him because it described his father. His father never loved him & he wanted so much to have that relationship. He said the line "while life goes on around him everywhere, he's playing solitaire" described his father. I think that has to be why he does such a magnificent job with this song. He really really FEELS it.

[blakecooper2000]

Neil was right. It will always be a Clay Aikens song. INCREDIBLE VOICE.

[reinharv]

Anything he does live is so much better. He plays up to the audience. What a voice!!!!

[ambermcgregor]

You know, I'm amazed by his voice to this day. I only wish that the studio productions had the clarity of his live performances. They tend to over-produce and compress his voice in the studio. Such a shame. But thanks for putting this up here. This song is my favorite of his.

[reinharv]

I discovered Clay a couple of months ago and I can't get enough of him. I hear he is planning to release another CD in May 2008. He's working on one right now while doing SPAMALOT. I can hardly wait. This one isn't going to be covers either. LOVE HIS VOICE!!!!!

[sunflowermother]

Clay sings great! Love this song! Have you ever heard this sung by Karen Carpender?

[mb7668]

Yes, Karen had a hit with it. It's a great song.

[vnet93]

im loooooving CLAY AIKEN!!

and he looks like Barry Manilow!!! ahahhaha

[1478ceo]

I wish I had more than two thumbs. Bravo!!! Excellent!!! Fantastic!!! Speechless! Love Clay, & thank God that I can hear his voice. He's the One in the whole universe. God bless Clay.

[vstreamer]

Nice job putting both performances together

[TIDALWINGS]

I LOVE,LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, THAT VOICE.

[Barrysun]

There's nobody like him on the planet!

WOW!

[emerson032]

thanks...I am going to play this all the way to NYC...to see Neil and Clay.....and David and more.

[Jo4Clay]

I never get tired of hearing him sing this beautiful song. He gives me chills and it almost brings me to tears. AWESOME!!!!

[emerson032]

WOW. This video contains all of the very best Solitaire "moments". Thank you for putting it together. It is getting me excited to see Clay and Neil at Neil's 50th in NYC.

[lurkerchic]

Simply brilliant! He has the most remarkable vocals I have heard in a very long time....if ever. Adorable and remarkable man!!

[PoopyPantsPaulus]

WOW!! I wish I were Clay.

[laurasviolin]

This was great!! Thanks for putting it together :)

[ClaysSTO]

He takes my breath away with that song! thank you for posting this on youtube ---

[claying4keeps]

Hey Good Buddy - You got that right! I could listen to this a million times, and NEVER grow weary of hearing it!!'' claying4keeps

[lil1kahuna]

I have not listened to that in a long time...and what is amazing is that Clay sings even better now than he did back then.

[MusikLuvrToo]

Oh, man! Awesome!

[pinklace044]

OMG I think this is the most beautiful song that Clay recorded;

It gave me chills

Thanks my friend. you know who am'I

[rsging]

how exciting! gave me chills!!

[rsging]

Wow! How exciting. I have chills!!

[wellsowhat]

Wow wow wow wow wow.....

[clayfan123]

Beautiful, stunning, absolutely breathtaking. Clay is a singer for the ages and I'm so glad I've been with him from the start.

[clayfan123]

Unfreakingbelieveable!! What a song, what a voice, what a man!!

[shejean]

How can ANYONE ever believe Clay did NOT win AI2 after hearing this and BOTW (And Mack The Knife!!)??????? I can't wait until Oct. 26 in NYC!! Clay you're going to knock them dead in the aisles!!!

[Bailey1208]

THANKS..CAN'T WAIT UNTIL NYC!

[simplyluvhim]

Gave me chills. Just beautiful, the man and the song!

[Shycon]

Fantastic montage. Fabulous song and awesome performances by Clay. I so cannot wait till Neil's tribute in NYC.

[flasher31clayam]

so wonderful!

[lvnc25]

Oh my...Double thudding for that song. I'm all ready for the Neil Sedaka Tribute. Awesome Montage.

[Clayfulthing]

Wonderful montage! It's great to reminisce. I am all revved up for the tribute!! I will be there with bells on!!

[lsdollylovesclay]

That was great!! Now Im ready!!