CLAY AIKEN: Fox
No. 8: Clay Aiken
Song ''Solitaire''
Date April 29, 2003 (season 2)
Why We Remember Quite possibly the most polarizing contestant in Idol history, Clay (pictured during the Idol finals) represents either the pinnacle of modern balladeering or the ultimate low in lite-pop affectation, depending on whom you ask. That said, his take on Neil Sedaka's angsty ballad — moodily backlit for maximum impact — was as heartfelt as it was riveting, with not a single wonky note to be heard. As Sedaka himself sighed, ''I have lost my song forever to you; it will always be a Clay Aiken song.''
