On My Way Here
Encyclopedia
On My Way Here is the fourth full length studio album released by Clay Aiken
on May 6, 2008. This album of both ballads and pop-rock is an eclectic mix of styles and tempos. Aiken wanted to get away from using multiple producers and chose Grammy Award-winning British producer Mark 'Kipper
' Eldridge (Sting, Chris Botti
) to produce the album. Jaymes Foster was the executive producer. This was his final studio album for RCA
.
The title track, "On My Way Here", written by OneRepublic
frontman Ryan Tedder
along with Hunter Davis and Chris Faulk, was the only single released. The song was originally for Tedder's debut album back in 2002, under Freelance Entertainment, which became defunct before the album could release. The song is about how the lessons we learn growing up shape us into the adults we become. This struck a chord with Aiken and the song became the inspiration for the album's theme.
The last track "Lover All Alone", written by Aiken and David Foster
and originally available as an iTunes
bonus with Aiken's A Thousand Different Ways
album, was produced by Emanuel Kiriakou
.
at #4 on the Billboard 200
and #1 on Billboard Top Internet Albums. The album debuted on Billboard's Top Canadian Albums at #25 for the week ending May 24, 2008.
" Written by: Ryan Tedder
, Hunter Davis, Chris Faulk – 4:28"Ashes" Written by: Nichole Nordeman
, Mark Hammond – 3:42"Everything I Don't Need" Written by: Kipper
, Judie Tzuke
, James Morrison – 4:30"Something About Us" Written by: Michael O'Brien, Scotty Wilbanks, Regie Hamm
– 3:39"Falling" Written by: Martin Hansen, Magnus Kaxe, Fred Alexander – 3:24"Where I Draw the Line" Written by: Jeremy Bose, Clint Lagerberg, Jason Walker – 4:24"The Real Me" Written by: Natalie Grant
– 4:37"Weight of the World" Written by: Franne Golde, Kasia Livingston, Henrik Korpi
, Mathias Wollo – 3:44"As Long as We're Here" Written by: Jan Buckingham, Rebecca Lynn-Howard – 4:42"Sacrificial Love" Written by: Carl Falk, Sharon Vaughn, Didrik Thott – 4:12"Grace of God" Written by: Mads Hauge, Don Mescall – 3:36"Lover All Alone" Written by: Clay Aiken
, David Foster
, Emanuel Kiriakou
/ Produced by: Emanuel Kiriakou – 4:57"Forget I Ever Knew You" Written by: Greg Critchley"It's In Everyone Of Us" Written by: David Pomeranz
prior to the album's release, Aiken said that a couple of the songs on this album, while previously recorded, had not been widely heard.
"The Real Me" was originally recorded by Natalie Grant
for her album Awaken
(2005). Aiken stated in an interview that Grant rewrote some of the lyrics for him. "The Real Me" was covered by Jessie Clark Funk on the 2009 Be Thou An Example CD from Songs for the Youth produced by the EFY cd's. "Something About Us" was written and recorded by Michael O'Brien for his album Something About Us (2007). "As Long as We're Here" was recorded by Kristy Starling
for her self titled debut album (2003)
s, are all on his official YouTube
page along with a video that was filmed for the first single from this album.
before its release. As a bonus with pre-orders, a second Enhanced CD was included containing 3 live Sessions@AOL recordings, 1 unreleased recording and an unreleased video that had been filmed for his 2003 Measure of a Man album.
. The MusicPass is a gift card that gives access to a digital version of the album for iPod
s and MP3 players. Included as a bonus are 3 music videos and a digital booklet
.
Clay Aiken
Clayton Holmes "Clay" Aiken is an American singer, songwriter, actor, producer and author who began his rise to fame on the second season of the television program American Idol in 2003. RCA Records offered him a recording contract, and his multi-platinum debut album Measure of a Man was released...
on May 6, 2008. This album of both ballads and pop-rock is an eclectic mix of styles and tempos. Aiken wanted to get away from using multiple producers and chose Grammy Award-winning British producer Mark 'Kipper
Kipper (musician)
Kipper is a Grammy winning Guitarist, keyboardist and music producer, known mostly from his cooperation with Gary Numan and Sting....
' Eldridge (Sting, Chris Botti
Chris Botti
Christopher Stephen "Chris" Botti , is an American trumpeter and composer. In 2007, Botti was nominated for two Grammy Awards including Best Pop Instrumental Album. On December 4, 2009, he was nominated for three more Grammy Awards including Best Pop Instrumental Album and Best Long Form Music Video...
) to produce the album. Jaymes Foster was the executive producer. This was his final studio album for RCA
RCA Records
RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
.
The title track, "On My Way Here", written by OneRepublic
OneRepublic
OneRepublic is an American pop rock band from Colorado Springs, Colorado. Formed in 2002 by Ryan Tedder and Zach Filkins, the band achieved massive success on MySpace, becoming the most prominent unsigned act on the website then...
frontman Ryan Tedder
Ryan Tedder
Ryan Benjamin Tedder is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. He is best known as the frontman of the pop rock band, OneRepublic, though he has an independent career as songwriter and producer for various artists such as Beyoncé, Kelly Clarkson, Far East Movement, Jordin Sparks, Leona...
along with Hunter Davis and Chris Faulk, was the only single released. The song was originally for Tedder's debut album back in 2002, under Freelance Entertainment, which became defunct before the album could release. The song is about how the lessons we learn growing up shape us into the adults we become. This struck a chord with Aiken and the song became the inspiration for the album's theme.
The last track "Lover All Alone", written by Aiken and David Foster
David Foster
David Walter Foster, OC, OBC , is a Canadian musician, record producer, composer, singer, songwriter, and arranger, noted for discovering singers such as Michael Bublé, Josh Groban, and Charice Pempengco; and for producing some of the most successful artists in the world, such as Céline Dion, Toni...
and originally available as an iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
bonus with Aiken's A Thousand Different Ways
A Thousand Different Ways
A Thousand Different Ways is the third studio album by Clay Aiken. The album, which was executive produced by Jaymes Foster, consists of ten covers and four new songs. It was released by RCA on September 19, 2006...
album, was produced by Emanuel Kiriakou
Emanuel Kiriakou
- Early life :Emanuel "Eman" Kiriakou started playing music at the age of thirteen in his father’s Greek band.-Producer:...
.
Sales and chart performance
The album, selling 94,000 units in its first week, made its debut on the Billboard chartsBillboard charts
The Billboard charts tabulate the relative weekly popularity of songs or albums in the United States. The results are published in Billboard magazine...
at #4 on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
and #1 on Billboard Top Internet Albums. The album debuted on Billboard's Top Canadian Albums at #25 for the week ending May 24, 2008.
Track list
- "On My Way HereOn My Way Here (song)"On My Way Here" is a song written by Ryan Tedder, Hunter Davis and Chris Faulk and is the title track for Clay Aiken's fourth album On My Way Here....
" - "Ashes"
- "Everything I Don't Need"
- "Something About Us"
- "Falling"
- "Where I Draw the Line"
- "The Real Me"
- "Weight of the World"
- "As Long as We're Here"
- "Sacrificial Love"
- "Grace of God"
- "Lover All Alone"
Bonus tracks
- "Forget I Ever Knew You" (Wal-Mart exclusive)
- "It's In Everyone Of Us" (iTunesITunesiTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
exclusive when pre-ordered)
Song notes
"On My Way HereOn My Way Here (song)
"On My Way Here" is a song written by Ryan Tedder, Hunter Davis and Chris Faulk and is the title track for Clay Aiken's fourth album On My Way Here....
" Written by: Ryan Tedder
Ryan Tedder
Ryan Benjamin Tedder is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. He is best known as the frontman of the pop rock band, OneRepublic, though he has an independent career as songwriter and producer for various artists such as Beyoncé, Kelly Clarkson, Far East Movement, Jordin Sparks, Leona...
, Hunter Davis, Chris Faulk – 4:28"Ashes" Written by: Nichole Nordeman
Nichole Nordeman
Nichole Ellyse Nordeman is an eight-time Dove Award-winning contemporary Christian American singer–songwriter.-Biography:Nordeman was raised in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where she played the piano in church...
, Mark Hammond – 3:42"Everything I Don't Need" Written by: Kipper
Kipper (musician)
Kipper is a Grammy winning Guitarist, keyboardist and music producer, known mostly from his cooperation with Gary Numan and Sting....
, Judie Tzuke
Judie Tzuke
Judie Tzuke is an English singer/songwriter. She is most well known for her 1979 hit "Stay With Me Till Dawn", which reached no.16 on the UK Singles Chart.-Early life:...
, James Morrison – 4:30"Something About Us" Written by: Michael O'Brien, Scotty Wilbanks, Regie Hamm
Regie Hamm
Regie Hamm is an American singer-songwriter. He has multiple credits as a songwriter, producer, musician , and artist.-Early and personal life:...
– 3:39"Falling" Written by: Martin Hansen, Magnus Kaxe, Fred Alexander – 3:24"Where I Draw the Line" Written by: Jeremy Bose, Clint Lagerberg, Jason Walker – 4:24"The Real Me" Written by: Natalie Grant
Natalie Grant
Natalie Grant is a singer-songwriter of contemporary Christian music. Her work has gained prominence, including four consecutive Dove Awards for best female artist, and with her signature song, Held...
– 4:37"Weight of the World" Written by: Franne Golde, Kasia Livingston, Henrik Korpi
Henrik Korpi
Henrik Korpi is a Swedish songwriter, record producer with Murlyn Music Group. He also is known for collaborating with Mathias Johansson under the name Korpi & Blackcell and releasing many recording productions as "Korpi and Blackcell".In the early 1990s, Henrik Korpi moved to London, United...
, Mathias Wollo – 3:44"As Long as We're Here" Written by: Jan Buckingham, Rebecca Lynn-Howard – 4:42"Sacrificial Love" Written by: Carl Falk, Sharon Vaughn, Didrik Thott – 4:12"Grace of God" Written by: Mads Hauge, Don Mescall – 3:36"Lover All Alone" Written by: Clay Aiken
Clay Aiken
Clayton Holmes "Clay" Aiken is an American singer, songwriter, actor, producer and author who began his rise to fame on the second season of the television program American Idol in 2003. RCA Records offered him a recording contract, and his multi-platinum debut album Measure of a Man was released...
, David Foster
David Foster
David Walter Foster, OC, OBC , is a Canadian musician, record producer, composer, singer, songwriter, and arranger, noted for discovering singers such as Michael Bublé, Josh Groban, and Charice Pempengco; and for producing some of the most successful artists in the world, such as Céline Dion, Toni...
, Emanuel Kiriakou
Emanuel Kiriakou
- Early life :Emanuel "Eman" Kiriakou started playing music at the age of thirteen in his father’s Greek band.-Producer:...
/ Produced by: Emanuel Kiriakou – 4:57"Forget I Ever Knew You" Written by: Greg Critchley"It's In Everyone Of Us" Written by: David Pomeranz
David Pomeranz
David Pomeranz is an American singer, composer, lyricist, and writer for musical theatre. He is also ambassador for Operation SmileBorn in Reno and raised on Long Island, Pomeranz expressed interest in music from an early age, singing in the synagogue choir, learning to play the piano, guitar, and...
Additional personnel
- Nathaniel Kunkel – Recorded and Mixed
- Cameron Craig – String Engineer
- Joe Harding – Engineer
- Chris Jennings – Engineer
- Wesley Seidman – Engineer
- Jorge Vivo – Engineer
- Bernard Levin – Asst. Engineer
- Dale Parsons – Asst. Engineer
- Nick Banns – Asst. Engineer
- Tyler Van Dalen – Asst. Engineer
- David Jones – Asst. Engineer
- Keith CarlockKeith CarlockKeith Carlock is an American drummer originally from Clinton, Mississippi. He currently resides in New York City, NY. He has recorded and/or toured with musicians that include Sting, John Mayer, Steely Dan, James Taylor, Donald Fagen, Walter Becker, Diana Ross, Faith Hill, The Blues Brothers Band,...
– drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person .... - Freddie WashingtonFreddie Washington (bassist)"Ready" Freddie Washington is an American session bassist who has played with artists such as Herbie Hancock, Michael Jackson, Al Jarreau, Aaron Neville, Lionel Richie, Anita Baker, B.B...
– BassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - Jon HeringtonJon HeringtonJon Herington is an American guitarist, singer-songwriter and record producer, most known for being a session musician. Currently, he is known for being Steely Dan's lead guitarist...
– guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s - Jeff Young – PianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, B3 HammondHammond organThe Hammond organ is an electric organ invented by Laurens Hammond in 1934 and manufactured by the Hammond Organ Company. While the Hammond organ was originally sold to churches as a lower-cost alternative to the wind-driven pipe organ, in the 1960s and 1970s it became a standard keyboard...
, Background Vocals - Oz Noy – Guitars (appears courtesy of Magnatude Records)
- Keith Beauvais – Guitars, Production
- David FosterDavid FosterDavid Walter Foster, OC, OBC , is a Canadian musician, record producer, composer, singer, songwriter, and arranger, noted for discovering singers such as Michael Bublé, Josh Groban, and Charice Pempengco; and for producing some of the most successful artists in the world, such as Céline Dion, Toni...
– PianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
("The Real Me") - David HartleyDavid Hartley (musician)David Hartley or Dave Hartley is a musician especially notable for several collaborations with Sting. Their cooperations include writing songs for the Walt Disney Feature Animation the Emperor's New Groove, arranging for the song You Will Be My Ain True Love from Cold Mountain , Hartley performed...
– Piano ("Something About Us" and "Sacrificial Love"), - Dominic MillerDominic MillerDominic Miller is an Argentine-English guitarist who toured and recorded with World Party and King Swamp, worked on Phil Collins' solo album ...But Seriously and played guitar on every Sting album and tour since 1990...
– Nylon Guitar ("Sacrificial Love") - Jon Ossman – Bass ("Falling")
- KipperKipper (musician)Kipper is a Grammy winning Guitarist, keyboardist and music producer, known mostly from his cooperation with Gary Numan and Sting....
– Keyboards, Programming - Mark Neary – Additional Pro Tools
- Quiana Parler – Background vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
- Angela Fisher – Background Vocals
- Jenny Hill – Background Vocals
- Windy Wagner – Background Vocals
- Sumudu Jayatilaka – Background Vocals
Strings
- David Hartley – Arranger
- Dermot Crehan – ViolinViolinThe violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
(solo on "As Long as We're Here") - Perry Montague-Mason – Violin
- Warren Zielinski – Violin
- Emlyn Singleton – Violin
- Patrick Kierman – Violin
- Boguslaw Kostecki – Violin
- Tom Bowes – Violin
- Maciej Rakowski – Violin
- Julian Leaper – Violin
- Chris Tombling – Violin
- Dave Woodcock – Violin
- Mark Berrow – Violin
- Jackie Shave – Violin
- Jonathan Rees – Violin
- Dermot Crehan – Violin
- Peter Lale – ViolaViolaThe viola is a bowed string instrument. It is the middle voice of the violin family, between the violin and the cello.- Form :The viola is similar in material and construction to the violin. A full-size viola's body is between and longer than the body of a full-size violin , with an average...
- Bruce White – Viola
- Katie Wilkinson – Viola
- Rachael Bolt – Viola
- Anthony Pleeth – CelloCelloThe cello is a bowed string instrument with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is a member of the violin family of musical instruments, which also includes the violin, viola, and double bass. Old forms of the instrument in the Baroque era are baryton and viol .A person who plays a cello is...
- Martin Loveday – Cello
- Dave Daniels – Cello
- Jonthan Williams – Cello
- Chris Laurence – BassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
"Lover All Alone"
- Emanuel KiriakouEmanuel Kiriakou- Early life :Emanuel "Eman" Kiriakou started playing music at the age of thirteen in his father’s Greek band.-Producer:...
– PianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, GuitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
(Acoustic & Electric), keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments... - Doug Petty – Hammond B-3Hammond organThe Hammond organ is an electric organ invented by Laurens Hammond in 1934 and manufactured by the Hammond Organ Company. While the Hammond organ was originally sold to churches as a lower-cost alternative to the wind-driven pipe organ, in the 1960s and 1970s it became a standard keyboard...
- Cameron Stone – CelloCelloThe cello is a bowed string instrument with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is a member of the violin family of musical instruments, which also includes the violin, viola, and double bass. Old forms of the instrument in the Baroque era are baryton and viol .A person who plays a cello is...
- Jimi Englund – Shaker
Additional Notes
In an interview with Linda Loveland of WRAL-TVWRAL-TV
WRAL-TV, virtual channel 5 , is a television station in Raleigh, North Carolina. WRAL-TV has been the flagship station of Capitol Broadcasting Company since its inception, and is currently the CBS affiliate for the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill/Fayetteville area, known collectively as the Triangle...
prior to the album's release, Aiken said that a couple of the songs on this album, while previously recorded, had not been widely heard.
"The Real Me" was originally recorded by Natalie Grant
Natalie Grant
Natalie Grant is a singer-songwriter of contemporary Christian music. Her work has gained prominence, including four consecutive Dove Awards for best female artist, and with her signature song, Held...
for her album Awaken
Awaken (Natalie Grant album)
Awaken is an album by Christian singer Natalie Grant, released in 2005.- Track listing :# "Intro"# "Awaken"# "Something Beautiful"# "What Are You Waiting For"# "The Real Me"# "Another Day"# "Home"# "Captured"# "Held"# "You Move Me"...
(2005). Aiken stated in an interview that Grant rewrote some of the lyrics for him. "The Real Me" was covered by Jessie Clark Funk on the 2009 Be Thou An Example CD from Songs for the Youth produced by the EFY cd's. "Something About Us" was written and recorded by Michael O'Brien for his album Something About Us (2007). "As Long as We're Here" was recorded by Kristy Starling
Kristy Starling
Kristy Starling is a Contemporary Christian Music singer, born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. After marrying husband Adam in the fall of 2002, she came second in a national singing competition, Today's Superstar, NBC News' morning show. She signed to Warner Bros. Records, working with successful...
for her self titled debut album (2003)
Recording, Mixing
- Lower Barn, London, UK
- Legacy Studios, New York City, NY
- Grove Studios, London, UK
- Ocean Way Recording, Los Angeles, CA
- Robert Irving Studios, Los Angeles, CA
- Studio Without Walls, Los Angeles, CA – mixing
- Marcussen Mastering, Hollywood, CA – mastering
- Lover All Alone
- Chalice Studios/Studio E, Los Angeles, CA – recording, mixing
- NRG Studios, North Hollywood, CA
Webisodes
Promotion for this album included a series of short filmed interviews of Aiken commenting on the making of the album. These interviews, known as WebisodeWebisode
A webisode is a short episode which airs initially as Internet television, either download or stream as opposed to first airing on broadcast or cable television. The format can be used as a preview, a promotion, as part of a collection of shorts, or a commercial.A webisode can be an episode...
s, are all on his official YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
page along with a video that was filmed for the first single from this album.
QVC Bonus Disc
Aiken debuted the album on QVCQVC
QVC is a multinational corporation specializing in televised home shopping. Founded in 1986 by Joseph Segel in West Goshen Township, Pennsylvania, United States, QVC broadcasts in five countries as QVC US, QVC UK, QVC Germany, QVC Japan and – QVC Italy to 200 million households...
before its release. As a bonus with pre-orders, a second Enhanced CD was included containing 3 live Sessions@AOL recordings, 1 unreleased recording and an unreleased video that had been filmed for his 2003 Measure of a Man album.
- "When I Need You"
- "Invisible" (Live)
- "Measure Of A Man" (Live)
- "I Will Carry You" (Live)
- Enhanced CD Portion: "This Is The Night" (Unreleased Video) Directed by: Matthew RolstonMatthew RolstonMatthew Russell Rolston is an American photographer and music video director. Rolston is known for his signature lighting techniques and detailed approach to art direction and design, and has been repeatedly identified throughout his career with the revival and modern expression of Hollywood glamour...
- tracks 2, 3 and 4 from Sessions@AOL, November 2003 and December 2004
- Enhanced CD Portion: "This Is The Night" (Unreleased Video) Directed by: Matthew Rolston
MusicPass
This album is also available in a new music format called MusicPassMusicPass
MusicPass is a bridge format used for the digital distribution of musical recordings, usually full albums or compilations. Each MusicPass card displays a PIN and serial number which are used to redeem MP3 files and, in some cases, video content from the MusicPass website.-History:MusicPass was...
. The MusicPass is a gift card that gives access to a digital version of the album for iPod
IPod
iPod is a line of portable media players created and marketed by Apple Inc. The product line-up currently consists of the hard drive-based iPod Classic, the touchscreen iPod Touch, the compact iPod Nano, and the ultra-compact iPod Shuffle...
s and MP3 players. Included as a bonus are 3 music videos and a digital booklet
Digital booklet
Digital booklets are the digital equivalent of liner notes that often accompany digital music purchases. They are most commonly distributed in Portable Document Format. One well-known distributor of digital booklets with digital purchases is the iTunes Store; the first instance of this on the...
.
- "Invisible" – music video
- "The Way" – music video
- "A Thousand Days" – music video