Comments on: Taylor Hicks v. Clay Aiken? An American Idol Retrospective

By: John

John — Mon, 24 Jul 2006 02:26:38 +0000

Clay Aiken’s voice is pure heaven. Taylor does have the “soul” in his singing.. but Clay totally blows Taylor’s voice out of the water.. as someone else said. In the season 5 finale he only had 2 minutes and he stole the show with his amazing voice.

By: Rhoda

Rhoda — Wed, 28 Jun 2006 09:52:00 +0000

Clay is the phenomenon of our lifetime. He’s the whole package. It’s been said many times that he has the Voice of an Angel. But he also has charm, charisma, goodness, stage presence, and beauty beyond imagination.
Taylor is indeed engaging, but NO one can compare to Clay. I thoroughly enjoyed Taylor’s performances, but it was nothing like the enchantment created by Clay’s performances on AI2. Clay would win, hands down!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 23 Jun 2006 08:29:44 +0000

CLAY would have totally beat taylor!

By: deb

deb — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 21:32:56 +0000

after the first week sales records are in Taylor is in 4th place. 1st place Clay, 2nd place Ruben 3rd place Kelly, 4th place Taylor.
Taylor is fun and entertaining but Clay is far ahead of him. Like the one dj said that Clay has one of the best voices he has every heard he takes a very hard song to sing like Don’t let the sun go down and sings it like he is talking a walk through his backyard, so effortless. Clay has the humor, the humble way, the caring way. He is very smart and he could host any talk show. He is never at a loss for words. Funny how 2 minutes time he stole the show. That was the best tv moment, everyone I know was talking about Clay.

By: Adelaide

Adelaide — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 06:02:50 +0000

Clay would beat Taylor. Clay’s voice is hypnotic not to mention his face, personality, charm, the banter with the audience during concerts. Just see him once on stage and you are hooked for life. No other idol performer has come close for me.

By: betty

betty — Wed, 21 Jun 2006 03:41:30 +0000

Clay is by far the most talented singer from any season of AI. Nobody even comes close. Just wait and see what that man can do!!

By: charlotte

charlotte — Tue, 20 Jun 2006 15:03:21 +0000

Clay would win! A performer like Clay with a voice like his comes around once in a lifetime. Taylor is a fun, likeable guy who will probably do better than Ruben.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Sun, 18 Jun 2006 20:31:26 +0000

I voted for Taylor because I knew from his first audition that he had the maturity, ego, and experience to take this opportunity and run with it. Just as Clay has done. Rueben never had the ambition, energy, desire or imagination to go out and put it all on the line in a live show. Taylor does have that, I’m just not sure that voice could last 2 hours in a concert like Clay’s does. Clay is still and forever the prime example of talent personified.

By: kim kwinkle

kim kwinkle — Sun, 18 Jun 2006 03:50:16 +0000

Both have a great voice but I think Clay would win anytime! Hope AI starts a “Match of the Idols” soon. That’ll be the day!

By: Claylor Lover Underdogg

Claylor Lover Underdogg — Wed, 14 Jun 2006 23:35:14 +0000

I don’t think anyone is truly giving Taylor his props. He’s a very talented, multi-faceted performer. Among his talents, he not only sings, but plays the harmonica, the guitar, and he also writes songs, not to mention his enthusiasm on stage.
I adore Clay Aiken, but Taylor Hicks rocks my socks too. It really is a tough job comparing the two. On the one hand, Clay has a sweet, rich voice like cheesecake, and on the other, Taylor has a raw, hearty voice like the perfect steak. Both are immensely satisfying and leave ME wanting more. Both are charismatic, both are sexy, but since everyone is saying Clay, the only natural thing for me to do, is choose Taylor.

By: alyssa

alyssa — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 16:27:03 +0000

tayloy sucks and clay is hot. tay would not STAND a chance!!!

By: Steve

Steve — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 13:25:43 +0000

I believe that Clay Aiken would have won AI5. He so dynamic, and charismatic,,,,,,,,and that voice,clear and powerful.

By: Ellena

Ellena — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 23:41:34 +0000

Sorry if someone already said this, I didn’t read whateveryone else wrote, but one thing is sure to me. If Catherine, Clay and Taylor had all been in Season 2, there’s NO WAY that Reuben would have made it to the top three. I really think that the fact that you can vote as many times as you want makes the voting unfair, and I think that Clay WOULD have won AI in his season.
I don’t think Taylor’s going to have a career. I agree with what Simon said about him once, that he reminded him of the father who gets drunk at his daughter’s wedding and decides to sing kereoke. The difference is that he’s been doing this for a while profesionally and he really can sing, so his performance has some polish, but I just don’t think “musical sensation” when I think of Taylor Hicks.
Of course, I could be totally wrong.

By: Trish in Canada

Trish in Canada — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 15:06:44 +0000

Clay would win no question about that. I have been watching numerous videos of Clay on youtube and I just can’t get enough of that VOICE! Taylor is a great performer and has a unique style and I knew that he was going to win A15 but I do not plan to buy his CD. No other performer has captured my attention like Clay. Every year since A12 I have been disappointed because the show to me is not the same without Clay to watch every week. Clay has an amazing presence about him, is enjoyable to watch, but most important, no other voice on any of the american idol shows matches his – He makes you want to keep coming back for more. That is the measure of a true performer.

By: CATI

CATI — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 19:25:09 +0000

Yes I did forget that Clay did not win the title, and if there were to be “Match of the Idols” he wouldn’t be in it. That is so sad since collectively most of the people that posted agree that Clay is the best vocalist that came out of AI.
It is very nice though that no one has been dissing Taylor or any of the contestants.

By: judy

judy — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 14:04:10 +0000

To be a great vocalist,
You must have great tone, control, range & clarity and the ability to sing softly as well as powerfully.
Be able to “emote” to the audience when you sing, Great singers somehow feel the song, draw the audience into the song.., Or emote to the audience.
Taylor and Clay are both “performers” in different ways. Taylor is good vocalist. Clay is an exceptional vocalist. Picturing Taylor hitting some of the Notes that Clay sung at AI5 is impossible

By: Irene

Irene — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 09:34:31 +0000

Hmmm. I think Aiken would win. I say this because Taylor is a real entertainer for sure, but I can’t imagine him on a CD or the radio. I think he loses some appeal when you can’t “watch” him. I just don’t think his voice compares to Aiken. I think Aiken has both stage charisma, and well, that freakin’ voice is unbeatable. wow

By: Chrissy

Chrissy — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 08:28:41 +0000

What I think is interesting about this study is:
That Clay has not been a contestant on AI, in 3 seasons, yet Clay shows up on your data. I find that completely interesting.
I personally love both Taylor & Clay but I must say that there is something about Clay that does set my endorphins racing through my body. I get so excited.

By: Phyllis

Phyllis — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 07:39:44 +0000

Ah, Taylor vs. Clay.
I like Taylor very much. I think he will be very successful. He’s different. And I think there’s a lot of depth there as a human being as well.
But….. That being said.
Clay Aiken has the greatest voice I have ever heard. Matchless. Pure. Clear. Expressive. Pierces to the soul.
An earlier poster suggested that Clay doesn’t have soul. Oh, but he does. See a live concert and you’ll be convinced. He’s masterful. He’s charismatic. And he’s enigmatic, too. Someday the entire world will sit up and take notice of this phenomenal and beautiful man. What’s not to love?
Clay should have won AI2. In fact, I think he did. I don’t care how talented he/she is, no one can ever match Clay’s gift.
I am so excited about his upcoming new CD. And I’m waiting very impatiently for a new tour.
Clay has my heart always.

By: Adria

Adria — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 00:43:12 +0000

The best performancethe night of the AI5 finale (including all the big name stars’) was Clay Aiken’s. He looked so handsome and self assured and was so gracious to that kid Sandecki. In all the season of AI, I have only voted for one person: the guy with the “gift from God” voice and the adorable personality, Clay Aiken.
Taylor has a nice sound to his voice and he’s fun, but his range is very limited and his mannerisms put me off. I’d probably buy his CD, but I have all of Clay’s and am anxiously waiting for the next.