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Clay Aiken's Solitaire
by James Shepherd (2003/12/17)
I wonder if Clay Aiken fans feel a bit teased by RCA when it announced the release of the new single Invisible/Solitaire, and then to have it delayed twice, with the second delay giving no specific date? I am sure that RCA was not intending to tease people, but were the delays the result of increased sales of the album through more radio play as Invisible has finally crept up the singles charts? If such is the case, this begs the question as to the function of singles in today's music marketplace. Are singles merely a costly marketing tool used by the recording industry? How many singles need to be sold in order to break even and bring in a profit? Is there even a break even point on singles, and are they merely expensive marketing tools for an album?
Apparently, RCA has now decided to cancel the proposed single Invisible/Solitaire. Well that was a really big tease was it not? Never fear, at least the record label has shown itself to be quite astute indeed by suggesting Solitaire as the "B" side, and actually knows what Clay fans want and are looking for. Whether it will actually deliver another single of substance in the near future is another question, but at least it leaves room for a bit of fun in speculating what kind of single mixes RCA could cook up. Let us see what could be.
The Way/Solitaire
If Clay and RCA have been not getting along lately, the area of contention may be in what should be combined with Solitaire. Solitaire is for the fans, and whatever else goes with Solitaire from "Measure of a Man" is to promote the album. Since Solitaire is already out there as a single, but to only the radio stations, if a new single is to be released for the public to buy, the album would be better promoted by releasing another cut from the album. This is not brain surgery. The Way was one of the few album cuts that even negative reviewers actually liked. But why stop here? Why no consideration for other combinations?
I Will Carry You/Unchained Melody
If RCA thinks that Clay fans would pick up The Way/Solitaire single simply to get their hands on Solitaire, the fans would do the same for Unchained Melody. Also, I truly believe that I Will Carry You is the best cut on "Measure of a Man." It would appeal to a broad market in radio. But what do I know, eh? As for Unchained Melody, I think that radio stations would give this one a go on their play-lists too.
Measure of a Man/Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me
Surely releasing a single with the cover song of the album is an appropriate marketing step, not to mention that the song, Measure of a Man, is a one of the best ballads on Clay's album. As for the Elton John's classic, Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me, it was Clay's performance of this number in the wild-card competition of AI2 that made many people perk up and take notice of him. Even Simon Cowell gave one of his very few public compliments to Clay after Randy and Paula both gave Clay a standing ovation. There is a personal significance of this song for the fans, and they would make this single another platinum - you can bet on it!
Touch/On the Wings of Love
Touch stands out on Clay's album because it seems so different from the rest of the recordings. It is not my favourite, but I am aware that many people do like this number. It has a slightly sassy feel to its beat that I usually do not enjoy in a song, but Clay's melodic voice takes it through to a realm wherein I can find comfort. On the Wings of Love was already recorded by Clay on the "American Idol 2, All-Time Classic American Love Songs" album. Clay's rendition of this song is quite memorable, and this would be the quickest single to make since both sides have been previously recorded, not to mention inexpensive to produce.
Singles Promoting Separate Albums
Suppose the following scenario ensued:
- RCA released all four singles described above at intervals of two months apart starting early in 2004. All four singles would be available for purchase by the public, of course.
- Three or four months after the release of the last single, RCA released Clay Aiken's second album entitled: "Classic Pop: Clay Aiken." On this album would be those four cuts from the "B" side of the four singles, plus 8-10 other classic pop songs.
In essence, RCA would be able to use these singles to promote "Measure of a Man," and the upcoming new album - "Classic Pop." Given the past history of the buying power of Clay fans I believe that one can be fairly certain that all four of these singles would be soon certified gold, and a couple of them would probably shoot up into the platinum range.
What the radio stations would see is that RCA is really serious about this new artist, Clay Aiken. This kind of "hint" from RCA might force reconsideration of prejudices that radio management could be holding. Let us face it, no one releases four singles from one artist in a period of eight months this day and age. Surely people will take notice of this event. But if they don't, at least Clay can go off to receive even more awards next year for having four hit singles.
The real beauty of such a scheme though rests in the fact that with the release of each one of these singles, Clay's first album, "Measure of a Man" would be promoted, and, Clay's upcoming album would be promoted too - please note, I'm just using "Classic Pop" as a working title for this phantom album. Who knows what RCA and Clay have up their sleeves for the next album.
Christmastime is a Time for Dreaming
Now comes the real fun. I have already told Clive Davis at RCA how to promote Clay Aiken in this article. I doubt such arrogance on my part will be well received, but I'd rather look at it as merely a suggestion to RCA to "think outside of the box." As long as thinking outside of the box is not being done in a padded cell, then everything should be ok.
As for the phantom upcoming album of Clay Aiken's that I have titled "Classic Pop," what would be the numbers on it? Well, I have already identified four of them from above:
Solitaire
Unchained Melody
Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me
On the Wings of Love
What about the rest? Below is my suggested list:
Dream Lover
Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me
My Girl
Open Arms
Bridge Over Troubled Water*
Here, There, Everywhere
What Becomes of the Broken Hearted
Crying**
To Love Somebody***
When a Man Loves a Woman***
______
*Not the cut from Clay's single, but rather, the live performance of Bridge Over Troubled Water from the final program of AI2 competition - it's just much better.
**I am very reluctant to listen to anyone sing that old Roy Orbison classic, Crying, because I believe Orbison had the best male singing voice in the last half of the 20th century. But I think if anyone can do the song justice, it would be Clay.
***These seem to be very special favourites of Clay fans.
I am certain that Clay fans would have many other suggestions for the contents of the next album. Please send them to RCA. As for all those anti-Clay people, please refrain from sending me more emails asking how much the Claymaniacs paid me to write this article. I received not a penny from them.
| SHeesh!! Sounds good to me [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] |
