Measure of a Man (Clay Aiken album)

Measure of a Man
Studio album by
Clay Aiken
ReleasedOctober 14, 2003 (2003-10-14)
StudioThe 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)
GenrePop
Length46:30
LabelRCA
Producer
Clay Aiken chronology
Measure of a Man
(2003) 		Merry Christmas with Love
(2004)

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, in which he finished as the runner-up. Executive produced by Clive Davis, Aiken worked with a variety of producers on the album, including Desmond Child, David Eriksen, Steve Mac, Clif Magness, James McMillan, Steve Morales, and Rick Nowels.

Critical reception towards Measure of a Man ranged from strongly positive to scathingly negative. The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 613,000 copies in its first week.[1] It also held the number one spot for two consecutive weeks.[2] In November 2003, Measure of a Man was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The album was supported by three singles: "Invisible", ""The Way"/"Solitaire", and "I Will Carry You".

Promotion

"Invisible" was released as the first single from Measure of a Man. It was initially released as a promo-only single in September 2003,[3] and only became available as digital downloads much later. The song peaked at number eight on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary and at number 37 on the US Billboard Hot 100 on January 6, 2004. It was later certified gold for digital downloads by the RIAA on March 31, 2006.[4] A music video for "Invisible", directed by Diane Martel, was shot in Hollywood at Hollywood & Highland, a major outdoor shopping center and tourist attraction, where Aiken invited 800 fans to be part of the crowd scene in the video.[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. A music video for the song was again directed by Martel.[6] "I Will Carry You," the third single from Measure of a Man, peaked at number 25 on the US Adult Contemporary chart.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[7]
Blender[8]
Entertainment WeeklyC[9]
Now[10]
Rolling Stone[11]
Slant Magazine[12]
The Village VoiceD[13]

AllMusic editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine felt that "Clay's earnest delivery—somewhat sweet and expertly coached—gives these songs a bit of innocence and believability, but the slickness of the whole enterprise overshadows his voice, particularly because his voice isn't all that remarkable on record [..] Even so, it's perfectly suited for this safe MOR album, and while none of the songs really catch hold, it doesn't matter since the sound of the record is pleasant and perfect for radio."[7] Similarly, Jon Caramanica from Rolling Stone called the album a "school of middle-of-the-road bombast."[11]

Entertainment Weekly's David Browne wrote that "from his earnest, emotive voice to the music that surrounds it, Measure of a Man works at pleasing [Aiken's] legions with relentless, machine-tooled precision." He found that the album was "less oversung and overarranged than Kelly Clarkson's” Thankful; Aiken avoids the melisma overkill common to the other Idol finalists. But he and his handlers also avoid anything remotely audacious or saucy [...] Clearly, Aiken wants to differentiate himself from the Christinas and Justins of the world."[9] Now editor Nick Flanagan concluded: "If you like soft pop that has had every single angle retouched, airbrushed and perfected for maximum K-Mart sales, this is the record of the year, although it'll be runner-up if Ruben Studdard releases something."[10]

Awards and nominations

Year Ceremony Category Title Result
2003 Billboard Music Awards[14] Best Selling Single "This Is The Night" Won

Commercial performance

Measure 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.[18] As of February 2011, the album has sold 2.8 million copies in the United States.[19]

Track listing

Measure of a Man track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Invisible"
Child4:03
2."I Will Carry You"
Clif Magness3:44
3."The Way"
Morales4:06
4."When You Say You Love Me"
Nowels4:07
5."No More Sad Songs"
Magness4:01
6."Run to Me"
Child3:33
7."Shine"
Magness4:09
8."I Survived You"
  • Cates
  • Ty Lacy
  • Jeff Franzel
Magness3:34
9."This Is the Night" (bonus cut)
Steve Mac3:32
10."Perfect Day"
Magness3:52
11."Measure of a Man"
Morales3:58
12."Touch"
  • Dennis
  • David Eriksen
Eriksen3:51
Total length:46:30
Japanese edition – bonus tracks[20]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
13."On the Wings of Love"
James McMillan3:47
14."Bridge Over Troubled Water"Paul SimonNigel Wright4:00

Personnel

Performers and musicians

  • 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)
  • Marc 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

  • 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

Certifications

Certifications for Measure of a Man
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[28] Platinum 100,000^
United States (RIAA)[18] 2× Platinum 2,800,000[29]

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ a b c "Aiken 'Measures' Up At No. 1". Billboard. October 22, 2003. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Pop Idol Fends Off Rock Vets On Billboard 200". Billboard. October 29, 2003. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  3. ^ Wade Paulsen (September 11, 2003). "New Clay Aiken 'Invisible' single to be issued by RCA as promo-only". Reality TV World. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
  4. ^ RIAA Search - Clay Aiken
  5. ^ "Clay Aiken Makes A Big Scene For 'Invisible' Video" MTV News, October 10, 2003 Retrieved 2006-08-31
  6. ^ Casting Number: #3380, Clay Aiken-The Way, 1/28/04 Retrieved 2006-08-31
  7. ^ a b AllMusic review
  8. ^ Marks, Craig (December 2003). "The Guide: New Releases". Blender. p. 132. Retrieved March 16, 2026.
  9. ^ a b Browne, David (October 24, 2003). "Measure of a Man". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 5, 2026.
  10. ^ a b Flanagan, Nick (October 16, 2003). "Disc Reviews". NOW. Retrieved January 5, 2026.
  11. ^ a b Caramanica, Jon (November 4, 2003). "Measure of a Man". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on June 18, 2021. Retrieved January 5, 2026.
  12. ^ Slant Magazine review
  13. ^ Christgau, Robert (December 2, 2003). "Consumer Guide: Turkey Shoot 2003". The Village Voice. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
  14. ^ "2003 Winners". Billboard. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  15. ^ "Stratospheric First Week Sales Send Clay Aiken's Debut Album to Number One on The Billboard 200". PR Newswire. September 24, 2003. Archived from the original on December 9, 2007.
  16. ^ "OutKast Pops Back To No. 1". Billboard. November 5, 2003. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  17. ^ "Keith 'Shocks' Billboard 200 With No. 1 Debut". Billboard. November 14, 2003. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  18. ^ a b "American album certifications – Clay Aiken – Measure of a Man". Recording Industry Association of America.
  19. ^ Josh Grossberg (February 9, 2011). "Clay Aiken Finally Addresses Recording Future...Do You Buy It?". E Entertainment. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  20. ^ Measure of a Man (EXTRA TRACKS) (IMPORT) Retrieved 2009-02-27
  21. ^ "Clay Aiken Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
  22. ^ "NZ Albums - 16/11/2003". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  23. ^ "RIAS CHART FOR WEEK ENDING 21 May 2004". Archived from the original on June 4, 2004. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  24. ^ "Clay Aiken Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
  25. ^ "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2003". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  26. ^ "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.
  27. ^ "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2004". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  28. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Clay Aiken – Measure of a Man". Music Canada.
  29. ^ Mansfield, Brian (July 23, 2009). "Bonus sales numbers – and free downloads, too!". USA Today. Archived from the original on January 19, 2010. Retrieved January 5, 2026.
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