Measure of a Man is the debut album by American singer Clay Aiken. It was released on October 14, 2003 through RCA Records, five months after the conclusion of the second season of American Idol.
| Measure of a Man | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | October 14, 2003 | |||
| Recorded | 2003 | |||
| Studio | The Gentlemen's Club, Icon Sound Studios and The Gallery Recording Studios (Miami, Florida); Red Door Recording Studios (St. David, Pennsylvania); Master Mix Studios (Minneapolis, Minnesota); Sound Decision (New York City, New York); Blue Iron Gate Studios (Santa Monica, California); Westlake Studios, The Chill Building and Mix This! (Los Angeles, California); NRG Studios (Hollywood, California); Larrabee Sound Studios (North Hollywood, California); Storm Studios and Khabang Studio (Stockholm, Sweden); Stereo Studio 1 (Olso, Norway); Rokstone Studios and Metropolis Studios (London, UK) | |||
| Genre | Pop | |||
| Length | 46:30 | |||
| Label | RCA | |||
| Producer |
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| Clay Aiken chronology | ||||
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Measure of a Man was supported by three singles: "Invisible", ""The Way"/"Solitaire", and "I Will Carry You". The album received generally mixed reviews from critics. The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 613,000 copies in its first week.[1] The album also held the number one spot for two consecutive weeks.[2] It was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in November 2003.[3]
Promotion
editSingles
edit"Invisible" is the first single from the album. It was initially released as a promo-only single in September 2003,[4] and only became available as digital downloads much later. It peaked at number eight on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary and at number 37 on the US Billboard Hot 100 charts on January 6, 2004. The single was certified gold for digital downloads by the RIAA on March 31, 2006.[5]
"The Way"/"Solitaire" was released as the album second single on March 16, 2004. "The Way" peaked at number one on the Canadian Singles Chart.
"I Will Carry You" is the third single and peaked at number 25 on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.
Music videos
editThe music video for "Invisible", directed by Diane Martel, was shot in Hollywood at Hollywood & Highland, a major outdoor shopping center and tourist attraction. Aiken invited 800 fans to be part of the crowd scene in the video.[6]
"The Way" music video was also directed by Diane Martel. Instead of the traditional Hollywood types Aiken hired everyday people to play the couples shown in this video.[7]
Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [8] |
| Entertainment Weekly | C[9] |
| Rolling Stone | [10] |
| Slant Magazine | [11] |
| The Village Voice | D[12] |
Wade Paulsen of Reality TV World wrote that despite huge sales "Critics have ranged from strongly positive (Billboard) to mixed (Washington Post, which calls the CD a "likable album even without being a particularly good one", and Knight-Ridder), to negative (Associated Press, which refers to the song selections as "insipid"), to scathingly negative (the New York Daily News). " [13]
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Ceremony | Category | Title | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Billboard Music Awards[14] | Best Selling Single | "This Is The Night" | Won |
Commercial performance
editMeasure of a Man debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 613,000 copies in its first week.[1] This became Aiken's first US number one debut.[1] This was also the highest-selling debut for a solo artist since Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle in December 1993.[15] In its second week, the album remained at number one on the chart, selling an additional 225,000 copies.[2] In its third week, the album fell to number three on the chart, selling 141,000 more copies.[16] In its fourth week, the album fell to number eight on the chart, selling 113,000 copies, bringing its four-week total to 1.1 million copies.[17] On November 17, 2003, the album was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments of over two million copies.[3] As of February 2011, the album has sold 2.8 million copies in the United States.[18]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Invisible" | Chris Braide, Andreas Carlsson, Desmond Child | 4:03 |
| 2. | "I Will Carry You" | Lindy Robbins, Dennis Matkosky, Jess Cates | 3:44 |
| 3. | "The Way" | Steve Morales, Enrique Iglesias, Kara DioGuardi, David Siegel | 4:06 |
| 4. | "When You Say You Love Me" | Darren Hayes, Rick Nowels | 4:07 |
| 5. | "No More Sad Songs" | Jimmy Harry, Wayne Hector, Sheppard Solomon | 4:01 |
| 6. | "Run to Me" | Chris Braide, Desmond Child, Gary Burr | 3:33 |
| 7. | "Shine" | Robbins, Pete Gordeno, Reed Vertelney | 4:09 |
| 8. | "I Survived You" | Cates, Ty Lacy, Jeff Franzel | 3:34 |
| 9. | "This Is the Night" (bonus cut) | Chris Braide, Burr, Aldo Nova | 3:32 |
| 10. | "Perfect Day" | Harry, Solomon, Danielle Brisebois | 3:52 |
| 11. | "Measure of a Man" | Steve Morales, Cathy Dennis, David Siegel | 3:58 |
| 12. | "Touch" | Dennis, David Eriksen | 3:51 |
In the summer of 2004, a second version of the album was released in which "Solitaire" (Neil Sedaka / Phil Cody) replaced "This is the Night" as a bonus cut.
In some of the international releases, the bonus track, "This is the Night" was replaced by "Bridge Over Troubled Water". The album released in Japan also included "On the Wings of Love" as a second bonus track.[19]
Personnel
edit- Clay Aiken – vocals, backing vocals (12)
- Doug Emery – acoustic piano (1, 6), keyboards (6), programming (6), string arrangements (6)
- Marcus Engölf – keyboards (1), programming (1), acoustic guitars (1)
- Samuel Waermö – keyboards (1), programming (1), percussion (1)
- Clif Magness – acoustic piano (2, 5, 7, 8, 10), keyboards (2, 5, 7, 8, 10), programming (2, 5, 7, 8, 10), acoustic guitars (2, 5, 7, 8, 10), electric guitars (2, 5, 7, 8, 10), bass (2, 5, 7, 8, 10), backing vocals (2, 7, 10), arrangements (2, 5, 7, 8, 10)
- David Siegel – keyboards (3, 11)
- Charles Judge – keyboards (4)
- Greg Kurstin – keyboards (4)
- Rick Nowels – keyboards (4), acoustic guitars (4), bouzouki (4), arrangements (4)
- David Arch – keyboards (9)
- Steve Mac – keyboards (9)
- David Eriksen – keyboard programming (12), drum programming (12), arrangements (12)
- Martin Sjølie – additional keyboards (12)
- Esbjörn Öhrwall – acoustic guitars (1)
- Eric Bazilian – guitars (1)
- Andreas Carlsson – guitars (1), backing vocals (1)
- Dan Warner – guitars (1, 6), acoustic guitars (3), electric guitars (3, 11), bass (6)
- Tim Pierce – guitars (4)
- Fridrik Karlsson – guitars (9)
- Eivind Aarset – guitars (12)
- Børge Petersen-Øverleir – guitars (12)
- Thomas Blindberg – bass (1)
- Chris Garcia – bass (4)
- John Pierce – bass (4)
- Steve Pearce – bass (9)
- Lee Levin – drums (1, 6)
- Tim Klassen – drums (2, 5)
- Wayne Rodrigues – drums (4), programming (4)
- Josh Freese – drums (7, 8, 10)
- Vinnie Colaiuta – drums (9)
- Frank Ricotti – percussion (9)
- Rune Arnesen – percussion (12)
- Christopher Glansdorp – cello (6)
- Steve Morales – arrangements (3, 11)
- Chris Braide – backing vocals (1)
- Chris Willis – backing vocals (1, 6)
- Heath Burgett – backing vocals (3)
- Mark Nelson – backing vocals (3)
- Maria Vidal – backing vocals (4)
- Danielle Brisebois – backing vocals (5, 8)
- Håkon Iverson – backing vocals (12)
- Marian Lisland – backing vocals (12)
Production
edit- Clive Davis – album producer
- Stephen Ferrera – A&R
- Desmond Child – producer (1, 6)
- Clif Magness – producer (2, 5, 7, 8, 10)
- Steve Morales – producer (3, 11)
- Rick Nowels – producer (4)
- David Eriksen – producer (12)
- Brian Coleman – production manager (1, 6)
- Kristin Johnson – production coordinator (4)
- Tara Saremi – production manager (4)
- Frank Harkins – art direction
- Kevin Hess – photography
- Simon Fuller – management
Technical
- Joe Yannace – mastering at Hit Factory Mastering (New York, NY)
- Carlos Alvarez – recording (1, 6)
- Eric Bazilian – recording (1)
- Marcus Engölf – recording (1)
- Jules Gondar – recording (1, 6)
- Craig Lozowick – recording (1, 6)
- Samuel Waermö – recording (1)
- Clif Magness – engineer (2, 5, 7, 8, 10)
- Shane Stoner – recording (3, 11)
- Chris Garcia – recording (4)
- Kieran Menzies – recording (4)
- Alan Veucasovic – recording (4)
- Chris Laws – recording (9)
- Robin Sellars – recording (9)
- David Eriksen – recording (12)
- Richard Wilkinson – recording (12)
- Bob Clearmountain – mixing (1, 2, 5–10)
- Serban Ghenea – mixing (3)
- Manny Marroquin – mixing (4)
- Andy Zulla – mixing (11)
- Niklas Flyckt – mixing (12)
- Conrad Golding – assistant engineer (1)
- Orlando Hall – assistant engineer (1, 6)
- James Harley – assistant engineer (1, 6)
- Greg Landon – assistant engineer (1, 6)
- Sean Samaroo – assistant engineer (1, 6)
- Kevin Harp – assistant mix engineer (1, 6, 9)
- Fox Phelps – assistant engineer (2, 5, 7, 8, 10)
- Cesar Ramirez – assistant engineer (2, 5, 7, 8, 10)
- Jesse Rogg – assistant engineer (4)
- Daniel Pursey – assistant engineer (9)
- Jason Rankins – assistant engineer (9)
- Martin Sjølie – assistant engineer (12)
- Jonas Östman – assistant mix engineer (12)
- Ed Williams – additional lead vocal engineer (3), recording (11)
- Cameron Webb – additional editing (2, 5, 7, 8, 10)
- Gustavo Celis – Pro Tools editing (3)
Charts
editCertifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (Music Canada)[26] | Platinum | 100,000^ |
| United States (RIAA)[3] | 2× Platinum | 2,000,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
edit- ^ a b c "Aiken 'Measures' Up At No. 1". Billboard. October 22, 2003. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
- ^ a b "Pop Idol Fends Off Rock Vets On Billboard 200". Billboard. October 29, 2003. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
- ^ a b c "American album certifications – Clay Aiken – Measure of a Man". Recording Industry Association of America.
- ^ Wade Paulsen (September 11, 2003). "New Clay Aiken 'Invisible' single to be issued by RCA as promo-only". Reality TV World. Retrieved 2010-08-29.
- ^ RIAA Search - Clay Aiken
- ^ "Clay Aiken Makes A Big Scene For 'Invisible' Video" MTV News, October 10, 2003 Retrieved 2006-08-31
- ^ Casting Number: #3380, Clay Aiken-The Way, 1/28/04 Retrieved 2006-08-31
- ^ AllMusic review
- ^ Entertainment Weekly review
- ^ Rolling Stone review
- ^ Slant Magazine review
- ^ Christgau, Robert (December 2, 2003). "Consumer Guide: Turkey Shoot 2003". The Village Voice. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
- ^ Paulsen, Wade. Clay Aiken's "Measure of a Man" album generates enormous sales but mixed reviews Reality TV World, October 20, 2003 Retrieved 2010-08-29
- ^ "2003 Winners". Billboard. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
- ^ "Stratospheric First Week Sales Send Clay Aikens Debut Album to Number One on The Billboard 200". PR Newswire. September 24, 2003. Archived from the original on December 9, 2007.
- ^ "OutKast Pops Back To No. 1". Billboard. November 5, 2003. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
- ^ "Keith 'Shocks' Billboard 200 With No. 1 Debut". Billboard. November 14, 2003. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
- ^ Josh Grossberg (February 9, 2011). "Clay Aiken Finally Addresses Recording Future...Do You Buy It?". E Entertainment. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
- ^ Measure of a Man (EXTRA TRACKS) (IMPORT) Retrieved 2009-02-27
- ^ "Clay Aiken Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
- ^ "NZ Albums - 16/11/2003". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
- ^ "Clay Aiken Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
- ^ "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2003". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
- ^ "Top 50 Global Best Selling Albums for 2003" (PDF). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 17, 2008. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
- ^ "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2004". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
- ^ "Canadian album certifications – Clay Aiken – Measure of a Man". Music Canada.