UNCHAINED then ... now ... forever -- Graphic by cindilu2.
America Pays Tribute to Veterans
Foster a Clay Aiken-UM 'Junkie'
David Foster might as well be president of the Clay Nation when it comes to his unabashed appreciation for Clay Aiken's interpretation of "Unchained Melody." Like me, he is a true Clay Aiken-UM "junkie."
In the past few years, the successful Canadian music producer has specifically requested that Singer Man perform UM at his foundation's gala and in two David Foster & Friends concerts, the most recent being an unscheduled appearance in San Jose, CA, Friday night.
The surround video of Unchained Melody was posted at YouTube by EcirahcVirus on Veterans Day. Here is a Sendspace audio download of the performance.
Clay performs UM at David Foster & Friends
Video by rob91902, audio by kjmmom
Fans first heard Clay sing UM on American Idol, eventually discovering an earlier treasure in the singer's Hometown Connection recording. The lead graphic by cindilu2 highlights Clay's association with the song from American Idol to the Jukebox Tour and David Foster performances.
"Unchained then ... now ... forever" was originally a banner at the Finding Clay Aiken message board. From the clickable banner below emerged cindilu2's handsome opening graphic.
Double click to enlarge banner by cindilu2.
With over 500 versions in hundreds of different languages, "Unchained Melody" is one of the most recorded songs of the 20th Century. In 1955, Alex North was contracted to compose music for the theme song of "Unchained," an obscure prison film.
Hy Zaret wrote the lyrics, and Todd Duncan sang the vocals for the soundtrack. Nowhere in the lyrics is the word "unchained," but the song became known as "Unchained Melody."
An instrumental version by Les Baxter (Capitol) was followed by Al Hibbler (Decca), Jimmy Young (UK), and Roy Hamilton (Epic), ranking at or near the top of the Billboard pop and R&B charts in 1955. "Unchained Melody" was the first and only song to have four different versions in the Top 40 in the same week.
The July 1965 recording by The Righteous Brothers became a jukebox standard for the late 20th century. It regained massive popularity when featured in the 1990 blockbuster film Ghost.
Always a favorite with Clay Aiken fans, "Unchained Melody" was a hit on the 2005 Jukebox Tour. Below is jojoct's recording of the Toledo Jukebox UM, which also can be viewed at YouTube.
UM at Toledo Jukebox Tour Concert
Video by jojoct
UM at 2006 David Foster Foundation Gala
Clay has often stated that UM is his mother's favorite song. It was also at the top of the charts with my mother.
Countless afternoons, at Mama Mac's request, I carried along a tape of Clay Aiken songs to play during visits in the nursing home. The two most requested songs were "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and "Unchained Melody" with my mother singing harmony throughout.
Oh, my love, my darling,
I've hungered for your touch a long, lonely time,
Time goes by so slowly and time can do so much.
Are you still mine?
I need your love, I need your love,
God speed your love to me.
It's amazing the memories spurred by Singer Man's surprise appearance on Friday. Thnx for taking this "Unchained Melody" stroll with me and especially to cindilu2, who provided the artwork.
Champions Gala Raises $465,000
Supporters of the National Inclusion Project helped raise over $465,000 at the Oct. 17 gala honoring 2009 Champions, the foundation announced today.
The funds will be used to give children with disabilities the opportunity to experience life along side their typical peers. Read the complete release in Triangle Business News or at the above website link.
America Honors All Who Served
A Veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve - is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a check made payable to "The United States of America," for an amount of "up to and including my life."- Author Unknown
Thank you to veterans past and present. God bless America!
Happy Veterans/Remembrance Day! Have a wonderful week, Clay Nation!
Caro
TECHNORATI TAGS: Clay Aiken, Unchained Melody, David Foster, Alex North, Hy Zaret, The Righteous Brothers, favorite song, National Inclusion Project, 2009 Champions Gala, Veterans Day, Clayonline, Clay Nation
Clay Aiken blogs honoring Veterans/Remembrance Day:
Clay-the Man
Clay Aiken News Network
Posts
26 comments:
Hi Caro. I am a proud to be a "junkie" of Clay version of Unchained Melody. The Toledo JBT was my first Clay concert. Love seeing the video from there and all the other videos too.
Love Cindilu2's graphic too. She is really talented.
Also enjoyed reading the history of how UM was written. It is one of those icon songs that will be around forever. :)
((HUGS))
Kathy/Aspiegirl
Hi Caro.
Thank you for this beautiful collection of Clay Aiken and his interpretations of this beautiful song "Unchained Melody".
It has always been one of my favorites.
Rossy
Caro, a most interesting blog to read, and I learned something to! After years of listening to Clay Aiken's Unchained Melody, and even before the R. Bros version, I never realized the word "unchained" isn't in the lyrics!
Cheers for the National Inclusion Project's Gala proceeds!!
I love every performance of Clay singing UM! Every one is beautiful and sung with such emotion.
What a fantastic amount raised at the gala for the National Inclusion Project! Clay should be very proud of his foundation! He is truly making a huge difference in the lives of many children.
David knows talent and sees it in Clay!! (Also loves UM)
Thanks for a very interesting and informative blog. I love the song Unchained Melody, never more so than when Clay Aiken sings it. It's that voice.
I think I have watched that UM performance David Foster and Friends...uhm...I lost count. Let's just say lots, and lots, and lots and lots more. Can't get enough.
Great job to the National Inclusion Project and all involved for raising such an impressive amount to help further the cause of inclusion. I am proud to be a supporter of this organization.
I loved Clay singing UM from the first time I heard it during AI2, a completely different version.
Your junkie title cracked me up. David Foster loves him some Clay Aiken! ME TOO!
Not every singer has the chops to sing this song. Clay Aiken is certainly the exception to the rule. It's almost as if the song had been written just for him to sing.
David Foster has good taste. I'm also a junkie for Clay Aiken's interpretation of "Unchained Melody."
I adore Clay Aiken's version of Unchained Melody. I have heard him sing it on several occasions, and every time is perfection!!
Unchained Melody has been my favorite song ever since I was in the fifth grade. And since hearing Clay Aiken sing it, it has become another Clay Aiken song for me!! No one sings it like he does!!
Hi Caro,
I'm with you, a "junkie" of Clay's version of "Unchained Melody". I think all I have done in the Clay world these past few days is listen to the YouTube from the David Foster and Friends Concert in SanJose.....it is so good to here Clay sing again! Do we ever ALL miss him!
Yeah, for the raising $465,000 for National Inclusion Project. Great job to everyone involved.
Caro, another AWESOME BLOG.....Thank You for all you do.
Hope your having a great week.
Hugs,
Marlyne
Caro, it so great to see UN in the collection. No one sings it better than Clay!!
I think it is wonderful that David Foster supports Clay. David is an important person in the field of music and he is a good friend to have.
Congrats to The National Inclusion Project. If you add the Cookie money, the Giving Challenge to the Gala money, you have 1/2 million!! So cool.
Thanks for this wonderful blog!!
I searched and searched again and again if we would hear Clay sing again...and you gave me the answer...
thank you Caro..
Thank you for taking care of our Angel Clay!.....
I like to call him My little Drummer Boy....'cause I have a big jeté on my wall representing The Little Drummer Boy...and each time I look at it...All my being lights up...My eyes see things invisible to human being...and I could go on..and on...
Just Thank you again Caro
I'm a proud member of the Clay Aiken UM fan club too!! Clay can sing the begeebers out of that song!! No wonder David Foster loves to have him sing it!
Clay singing UM never fails to make my heart beat a little faster. What a treat to hear him sing it again!
Cindy masterfully captures Clay and UM through the years. I continue to be dazzled by her creativity and talent.
Did you hear the "thud" from up my way when I watched the new version of Clay Aiken's UM?
Thank you for posting it!
And thank you for your wonderful comments to my blogs :)
Clay Aiken singing Unchained Melody is unbelievably amazing!!
National Inclusion Project Gala proceed amount is fabulous!
Hi Caro. Thanks so much for posting another breath taking video of Clay singing Unchained Melody. I too am a Unchained Melody junkie. Actually I am a Clay junkie. Love all the wonderful information you have on your blog. I continue to come back to your blog as if I was seeing it for the first time. I get chills!
Thanks
Sharrie
Wonderful Clay Aiken blog. Thanks.
Just add me to the junkie list of Clay's version of UM!!
Thanks for the amazing footage of Clay Aiken singing Unchained Melody!!
Love hearing Clay Aiken sing UM!
I just had to come back and listen to Clay Aiken's Unchaineed Melody (all of them) again! I LOVE listening to him sing that song!
Post a Comment