American Idol Loses To The Loser of American Idol...

#1 Postby **wx247** » Thu Jun 19, 2003 8:12 pm

Did the title make you shake your head? This should straighten things out for you...

NEW YORK (AP) -- Ruben's the "American Idol," but Clay has the bigger hit.

Clay Aiken's first single debuted on the singles charts at No. 1 Wednesday, selling nearly 393,000 copies.

Aiken, the runner-up on the Fox network's talent contest "American Idol," and Ruben Studdard, the winner, released their songs last week. Aiken's "This Is The Night"/"Bridge Over Troubled Water" sold more, but Studdard wasn't too far behind: His "Flying Without Wings"/"Superstar" sold about 286,000 copies.

In comparison, most No. 1 singles don't sell more than 20,000 copies in their first week, since record companies in recent years have put out fewer and fewer singles, emphasizing the sales of albums.

Aiken's song had the biggest debut since Elton John's "Candle in the Wind" tribute to the late Princess Diana. That sold about 3.5 million in its first week in 1997.

"To have two singles selling over 250,000 copies in one week, it's quite a refreshing thing to see," said Geoff Mayfield, charts director of Billboard magazine.

But unlike last year's inaugural "American Idol" winner, Kelly Clarkson, Studdard's and Aiken's songs haven't been a big success on radio so far.

"It seemed like Kelly Clarkson got more widespread airplay in the wake of her win than either of these guys did," Mayfield said of Clarkson's chart-topping song, "A Moment Like This," which sold 236,000 copies in its first full week in stores.

"(But) maybe these numbers are big enough that it will get some programmers' attention," he added.

Studdard narrowly won over Aiken in the "American Idol" competition last month. But Aiken is far from a loser; he signed a record contract with RCA Records (Studdard is on J Records) and is featured on the cover of the Rolling Stone magazine that hits newsstands Friday.

Aiken told the magazine that he doesn't believe in premarital sex and never curses. He also discusses his father, from whom he is estranged.

"If I have anything good to say about him, it's that I think I learned to be who I am by being everything he wasn't," he said. "Part of the reason I don't smoke is that he did. He drank, and I don't. He's a racist, and I'm not. I don't want anything to do with any of that."

Both Studdard's and Aiken's albums are scheduled for release in August.

#2 Postby **pojo** » Thu Jun 19, 2003 8:16 pm

they should have released "Imagine" with Ruben. I enjoyed that one better than some of the others!

mf_dolphin · #3 Postby **mf_dolphin** » Thu Jun 19, 2003 8:17 pm

The race isn't over! I think Reuben has a greater chance of having a longer career. While the R&B audience is smaller the artists tend to have longevity over a primarily Pop singer. I think Clay has a big opportunuty on Broadway if he wants to go that way. :-)

#4 Postby **Stephanie** » Thu Jun 19, 2003 8:25 pm

I LOVE CLAY!!!

AHEM... well, you know... :roll:

I've been following both of their singles (and purchased both) since their debut. There are ALOT of Clay fans out there that beleive as I do that his voice is a nice "refreshing" change to what is out there right now. He's also a role model that I think alot of people would want their children to look up to.

Ruben is a wonderful gentleman in his own right. I wanted Clay to win, but I always had the feeling from the beginning of the contest that Ruben would win and I was just as happy for him too.

Colin · #5 Postby **Colin** » Fri Jun 20, 2003 9:11 am

I think Ruben is just better than Clay period... both are great singers and they will have tight races throughout their career... (together????) Ruben will probably eventually beat Clay in some of the "races..." I have to say that Clay's "Bridge under Troubled Water" was very cool...

#6 Postby **Pburgh** » Fri Jun 20, 2003 9:29 am

Stephanie, I agree with you 100%. Gotta love that twinkle in those beautiful blue eyes and those freckles are to die for!!!! Ok, I'm done.

#7 Postby **wx247** » Fri Jun 20, 2003 12:29 pm

I agree with you Marshall, but their is a much bigger audience for pop than R & B so Clay may make his money in a shorter amount of time. The only problem both of them are having is getting much airplay.

#8 Postby **Stephanie** » Sat Jun 21, 2003 9:12 am

wx247 wrote:I agree with you Marshall, but their is a much bigger audience for pop than R & B so Clay may make his money in a shorter amount of time. The only problem both of them are having is getting much airplay.

Right now there's a bit of a resistance by some DJ's to playing Ruben and Clay. They're being looked upon as flashes in the pan plus the AI stigma. It's ashame if you ask me when you consider that both actually have talent.

#9 Postby **wx247** » Sat Jun 21, 2003 9:53 am

Yeah... they didn't seem to have a problem playing Kelly Clarkson after she won. She was everywhere, but maybe that was because she was the first one. :?:

#10 Postby **Stephanie** » Sat Jun 21, 2003 10:07 am

wx247 wrote:Yeah... they didn't seem to have a problem playing Kelly Clarkson after she won. She was everywhere, but maybe that was because she was the first one.

That's what I thought too.

#11 Postby **wx247** » Sat Jun 21, 2003 12:47 pm

Still... both Clay and Ruben are making quality music. I don't think the fact that they were on American Idol should be a reason not to play them, but the way some radio programmers think it doesn't surprise me.

blizzard · #12 Postby **blizzard** » Sun Jun 22, 2003 11:42 am

In my opinion, Ruben needs to liven up a bit. Even with the R&B, it can be more lively. He is an awesome singer, but frankly, he puts me to sleep.

American Idol Loses To The Loser of American Idol...

American Idol Loses To The Loser of American Idol...

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