shortyjill

LOL that an artsy online fan got you involved. I've never heard of your rock bands LOL.

A lot haven't, it's a niche audience. LOL

10. Forget I Ever Knew You

I liked the song from the girl's demo we heard ages ago, and I was so happy to see it made at least one version of OMWH's cut.

Another one of my favourites. I don't remember any girl's demo though?

I honestly can't remember where at the time I was reading but someone found a girl's demo recording of it on MySpace and made a download of it..I think I still have it somewhere too.

Broke down and put together my list this morning. Going back to some of these songs brings out the memories I have attached to them which made some harder to leave behind!

1. Invisible

This is the song that started it all for me. I didn't jump on the bandwagon until January of 2004. Back then I was listening to music totally opposite to this, alt rock bands like Trapt, A.F.I. and Story of the Year. An artsy online friend of mine was a huge fan and eventually made me download this song.... it was poppy and catchy...and somehow I loved it. Didn't help that Clay was too cute to ignore. *g*

2. I Survived You

This song also from the first time I heard it. I don't know why I loved it, but I did...and then there was the performance in Clio. Ho. Lee. Crap. Top favorite from that night out.

ETA: Just listened to the Clio version again, GOOSEBUMPS!! Every time!

3. Back For More, GMA version

I mourn this song. I loved it from day one, loved all the Clack of it. Cheesy be damned, I say we lost a treasure.

4. Broken Wings

Haunting, beautiful. The poetry in it made it moreso. And I have a bias towards loving it because he said he tried to mimic Amy Lee's sound. He didn't quite succeed (not enough screaming guitars, unless he was going for "My Immortal") but he was close.

5. Unchained Melody, David Foster Gala version

"I NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED" ; Need I say more?

6. Listen w/ Quiana, Sterling Heights

He was less than 10 feet from me, with one of my best friends next to me. We knew it would be special from the moment they started talking about it. It holds a very special place in my heart, and Clay and Quiana were effing fantastic to boot!

7. Everything I Don't Need

Pure emotion. Clay never sounds better than when he sings with it and this one's chock full!!

8. Where I Draw The Line

Again, seems like he has a lot of emotion in this one. I could listen to it on repeat for a full day and not get sick of it.

9. Sacrificial Love

I don't normally gravitate to slower songs but the pain in the lyrics and the beauty and simplicity of the music latched onto me and I have loved it since.

10. Forget I Ever Knew You

I liked the song from the girl's demo we heard ages ago, and I was so happy to see it made at least one version of OMWH's cut. I saved it for last because I just knew once I listened I wouldn't be going back. LOL I love the progression of the song, I love the way it was arranged, I love Clay's voice on it, I just love EVERYTHING about this song. It's another song I could listen to for a full day and not get sick of it!

And on a career standpoint, this was out of Clay's lane and I think it would have made an awesome radio single to re-introduce him.

11. Celebrate Me Home

I think I ended up loving this song from the Clack more than anything... I really just loved the snow falling on stage and how pretty it was, Clay's singing and occasional super hot growls made it even more worth it. Now I can't go a Christmas season without listening to it and I wish he would sing it again!

12. All Is Well

Again I think it's the song's progression on this one for me that I love, Clay's voice quiet in the beginning to a full on glory note at the end. Another one I can't go a Christmas season without listening to.

13. Hallelujah w/ Quiana, NIP Gala 2011

Okay so I do have this cliché thing where I tend to love the last thing someone puts out but this one is different. I have never liked this song by anyone. I found it boring and confusing and could fall asleep to it (yes, even to K.D. Lang's who's voice is amazing but doesn't capture me, and I watched her performance of this at the Winter Olympics). Last year when everyone raved, I rolled my eyes. I just didn't see how, even with Clay singing it, that I could like it. Then we got the leak. I have changed my mind on this one SOLELY due to Clay. It is RARE for me to change my mind on a song and this is a HUGE exception. I can't put my finger on why I love this version, but I do (the harmonies? the arrangement? just the vocals?). In fact, it was one of the first songs that came to mind when Couchie suggested this challenge and it is a major thing for me to have included this.

First one, in 2004.

Hi GBMIFAN...I love reading this. Thanks for listing the reasons why..that was most interesting to me.

Here goes, it may not be perfect but I will try my best. Not in any particle order but will try my best from early to nearer to the present:

6. Good News - I know this is not on a cd but I love all the live performances of this song. His voice is unreal in it and really looked forward to hearing it live. He did not disappoint me, it was gorgeous.

So I remember the opening of the Joyful Noise tour and so many people said this song was like a dirge and not the way to end the show. But I have to say this song is also on my list. This song gives me a lot of comfort when I'm down. It can really lift me. I wish I had a recorded version (mostly meaning without audience feedback) but I also don'g think it would sound the same on a recording.

I have a version from Wallingford that only has applause at the beginning and end... I wish I knew who's recording it was, but it's really good.

I'm realizing just how hard this will become to pick songs when I get around to it!

I had a few come to mind immediately, but for a full list of 13, that is a good challenge.

Happy New Year FCA!!

I did NYE with my friends, but made a stop at my aunt and uncle's for a Chinese food dinner first. Party at my friends though was great! She doesn't have have any TV service so we thought we'd just make our own ball to drop (a balloon wrapped in tin foil) but at the last minute her boyfriend was able to get ABC on his laptop so we got to watch it. And we still did our own! We didn't get to bed till around 230 but it was worth it.

Merry Christmas FCA!!

What a treat in "Hallelujah" from the gala.... I've been floored since the first listen!

Dayum! I love coming back and seeing fresh hot photos!

I don't know what kind of snow is sticking but we're getting it anyway.... the only good thing snow does is make the daylight bounce off it and make things brighter.

Well, my feet and lower back are killing me, but gingerbread cookies are done! I actually made Ginger Newts in honor of the Harry Potter party I'm going to tomorrow (they're a type of cookie in that world). Found out yesterday too we don't get to go by what house we think we're in, or Pottermore's official Sorting, but we have to pick out of a hat... I think everyone dreads pulling Hufflepuff (me included!). Oh well... we'll have fun!

What kinds of money do you get back from the OFC? I'm confuzzled.

We'll be getting the money back that we paid them for tickets through the pre-sale. They weren't cheap, so I'd wish they'd figure it out soon...

So sad about what happened in CT. What a horrific tragedy.

I got my Ticketmaster refund today too. I've actually been checking every day since Tuesday since I really needed that money back. But, I need the money from the OFC more... don't they realize Christmas is a little over a week away and I haven't bought anything yet?? lol

I don't think I mentioned, for the past few weeks I have been re-reading the entire Harry Potter series.. a friend of mine is having a party next week and I hadn't touched them in ages, but I finished book 6 last night (in tears of course!). To truly have read them all in 3 weeks I have to finish by Monday but I know that won't happen. But, instead of getting ready to see Clay tonight (as I so wish I were still doing and push HP out of my mind for a while), I will instead be starting the 7th book and baking cookies for another friend's graduation party tomorrow. Not how I envisioned my Friday but there it is...

I'm not blaming him, just wish things had gone better.

Sadly it's official, there's been a note put up at the OFC. We'll get our money back but I do hope they give the explanation as to why it was canceled.

I'm not giving up hope yet. Ticketmaster is the only place showing the cancellation, and the concert the next day is the only one I think they meant to mark, not Clay's.

I love the smell of fresh clack in the morning... thank you Karen Eh!!

luckiest have a safe trip and a good time!

So sorry couchie

Wow so I was just checking out how Clay was selling at Detroit (because it's still looked anemic as of yesterday) and someone must have bought some group tickets OR there has been some sort of promo put out there or something because suddenly there are far fewer seats available on the floor! Like chunks just not available anymore! I hope this is good news!

Balconies and the far sides on the floor are all still pretty much available, but I was getting pretty worried there for a while that if they didn't start selling they'd have to cancel. I personally haven't seen or heard of promo anywhere but I haven't sought out anything either (I rarely listen to radio [and if I do it's not the kind of station to play/promote Clay] and we don't get the paper). There HAVE been a lot of TV spots for other Christmas shows at Fox Theater but none for Clay. I hope that changes in the next week, he could still use the sales boost...

He sang All Is Well back in 2007 too and I also love this set list!!

Clay tweet:

Clay Aiken ‏@clayaiken

Just discovered @NBCGo_On and I'm sort of in love with it!

I love that show!! It's probably my favorite new comedy.

That new shirt/vest look is officially my favorite!!

Some pictures are up at CV! From deemer, mblovesclay and ClayIzzaQT. That's all I got! I'm about to crash, I'm so tired...I want to stay up cause I know there's more coming but right now it's hard!

I'm only catching up myself, had a girls night with some good friends over a few bottles of wine...great catching up but what a night to do it! lol But I just saw this setlist on CV, I'd like to know what the "???" is but overall, I love this setlist! I do wonder though if he'll change it up later.

All is Well

Christmas Waltz

???

O Holy Night

Mary Did You Know

O Come, O Come Emmanuel

Hark The Herald Angels Sing/O Come All Ye Faithful

Welcome To Our World

Sleigh Ride/Jingle Bells/Wonderland

MCWL

"What Are You Doing New Year's Eve"

The First Noel

I'll be Home for Christmas/Chestnuts Roasting (The Christmas Song)

My Grown Up Christmas List

Don't Save it All for Christmas Day

Encore:

All Year Long

I was fortunate enough to talk to a friend who won a M&G tonight too when she called me after. Doesn't seem like Clay was too chatty with his flu but I hope that means he's taking it easy and saving himself for the shows.

here you go, ldyj! http://s14.beta.photobucket.com/user/fallen4clay/library/AI2tour

and we're running out the door have a good day everyone!