Are you a member of the Clay Aiken Official Fan Club? If so, you probably got an e-mail from the OFC. There was even a small call for some help.
The OFC has a new campaign. They are asking if there are some fans who might help with transcribing one of Clay’s past webchats. If you help out, you have a chance to win a one year membership in the OFC…FREE. FOr more details, visit the OFC – campaign . While you are there, check out the sale on the Summer Beach Blanket. You can purchase a Clay Aiken Beach Blanket with a matching Tote for only $9.99. That’s a great deal!
If this is all new to you, why not join Clay’s Fan Club. The live webchats with Clay are worth every penny!
Did you check out the fun tweets from Clay on Wednesday? His last one was one of my favorites:
QUOTE
@clayaiken: Girl at the Harris Teeter checkout: “Has anyone ever told you you look like that ‘Adam Seacrest’ from that show?”
The wind blows hard against this mountain side
Across the sea into my soul
It reaches into where I cannot hide
Setting my feet upon the road
My heart is old it holds my memories
My baby burns agem like flame
Somewhere between the soul and soft machine
Is where I find myself again
Kyrie Eleison
Down the road that I must travel
Kyrie Eleison
Through the darkness of the night
Kyrie Eleison
Where I’m going will you follow
Kyrie Eleison
On a highway in the light
When I was young I thought of growing old
Of what my life would mean to me
Would I have followed down my chosen road
Or only wished what I could be
Do you remember this song? “Kyrie” was a huge hit by the group known as Mr. Mister. A product of the L.A. session-musician community, Mr. Mister enjoyed a brief but huge burst of popularity during the mid-’80s, crafting radio-ready pop/rock. While they disappeared almost as quickly as they arrived on the scene, their two number one hits, “Broken Wings” and “Kyrie,” remain enduring classics of ’80s mainstream pop.
“Kyrie Eleison” is Greek for “Lord, have mercy.” It is used as a prayer in both Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox services.
The song “Kyrie” is credited to lead singer Richard Page, keyboardist Steve George and lyricist John Lang. There was a rumor that Page wrote the song after being attacked. But that rumor was found to be false when John Lang told the Chicago Sun-Times in July of 2004:
“Richard Page did write the music and melody, but I am the one who wrote the lyrics. I got the inspiration from singing it as a kid in an Episcopal church in Phoenix. Also, ‘Kyrie’ had nothing to do with Richard being assaulted, mainly because it wasn’t Richard who was assaulted – it was me! But that happened 3 years before writing ‘Kyrie,’ and had nothing to do with that song.”
When Kyrie became a hit, very few people listening to Top 40 radio had any idea that they were singing “Lord Have Mercy, Down the Road that I must travel!” The religious significance was mostly lost.
This was Mr. Mister’s second #1 hit in the US. The first was “Broken Wings.”
February 24th, 2004 was the first concert for Clay Aiken’s Independent Tour. Held at the Charlotte Coliseum, Clay performed the second half of the concert that he shared with Kelly Clarkson.
Clay’s entrance that night to “Kyrie” was electrifying. The entire audience in Charlotte tried to figure out where Clay was and where the singing was coming from.
Hearing Clay sing “Kyrie” on his Independent Tour was something I will never forget.
The following video is wonderful. It is from Aflack and is a part of her Road To Independence series. Besides having great footage of Clay singing, she added some great humor to the video.
Now, how can we convince Clay to perform this great song again?
That is some very interesting info about Kyrie Eleison. I remember the chant from the Catholic liturgy during my youth. The priest would recite Kyrie Eleison and we would respond Christe Eleison. Never saw it written — so was surprised that they were the words that Clay actually performed in a song. Checked it out at Wikipedia — Clay's tour performances of the song are noted under Popular Culture — Music.
What a gold mine of info you gave to us about the song. Thanks musicfan for your great investigative reporting. By the way — Clay looked and sounded terrific singing the song. Loved the video.
Lol about the Adam Seacrest. I wonder how he responded.
I love the song Kyrie anyways and Clay singing it is just amazing. Love that video.
I was very familiar with the Kyrie – "Lord Have Mercy" from the Roman Catholic Mass and the Greek Catholic Church – those were words I grew up singing and still do. I also was electrified by Clay's entrance in the Joe Louis Auditorium in Detroit, Michigan!!! Him singing that was beyond exciting and wondering where he would enter which happened to be very near where I was sitting – I won't ever forget the chills and sheer magic of finally seeing and hearing him singing that song – simply
undeniably electrifying!!! Thank you for the memories!
Great montage. I always loved "Kyrie" and Clay was fantastic singing that. It's amazing that Clay recorded "Broken Wings" as well on his "A Thousand Different Ways" CD. I would love to have an actual studio recording of "Kyrie" from Clay. He killed it on his entrance during the "Independant Tour". This was a great memory!!!!
Oh my!! That was so much fun! I kick myself that I didn't realize I didn't have to GO with anybody to these first concerts of Clay! I knew only one person from work that went to the AI show several hours from us, but she told me AFTER she went!! Grrr! I've heard how electrifing this show was when Clay came out singing!!! Cute video Aflack put together. Surely she has more?
WOW! that was a great video! I got goosebumps listening to it, it must have been so exciting to be there that night but happy to be able to see the video, love that song, wish he could record it, what a voice, just love that Clay, thanks musicfan.
Hey musicfan, the beach towels seem to be sold out….bummer!
Thank you Musicfan! I love it when you teach me something new. The song history was new for me.
It has been only five weeks since I joined the fan club and already I have gotten my money's worth and more! I saw the recordings of three past chats and was there LIVE for the fourth! The build up for the chat was almost as exciting as waiting for one of concerts to start. But on top of all things Clay . . . His fans welcomed me and I have enjoyed many hours of interacting with kindred spirits as close as a half hour from me and as far away as Ireland. I had no idea there were others from my home state until i joined for the cost of a two hour movie ticket! Amazing!
Thank you for the concert trip down memory lane. I saw this concert live in st Paul MN. It was great!
I wonder if Clay had a snarky comment about Adam Seacrest. I'm sure he wouldn't hurt the cashiers feelings, but his combacks are always funny. Saw this concert in Columbus OH and almost fell over the rail of the balcony trying to find where Clay was when we heard his voice. I also like singing Kyrie in church. I was so happy to hear Clay perform it. Just wonder who talked him into wearing that strange jacket with the blue sleeves. It was even mentioned in the newspaper review of the concert.
Wow! Loved Clay singing Kyrie in concert. Wonder if we could get him to sing it again on tour? Wouldn't that be something? I also wonder what Clay had to say back about the Adam Seacrest mention? Something snarky probably. That Beach blanket deal sure sold out fast. It was quite a deal too. Anybody going to transcribe the Video Chat? I would like to read all of them as there was times I didn't hear all of it. You can also win a Free Year of The Fan Club.
Thanks for the meaning behind Kyrie, I didn't know it had a religious history. This was the first time I heard the song sung by Clay and he didn't disappoint. My original interest in Kyrie was because I have always affectionately called my son Kieron," Kyrie" Would love Clay to record it.
Loved this report and video. It was my first Clay concert (in Detroit) and when Clay came out it was electrifying. I think I sat through the whole part of Clay's concert with a dumb smile on my face. After all these years, he still mesmerizes me. Thanks Musicfan.