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An MTV News producer who wishes to remain anonymous for fear of incurring the wrath of the always-intense Claymates just sent this in:
So I watched Clay on QVC last night (it was worth it for the studio audience alone), and he debuted a bunch of new tracks from his super-anticipated-by-very-particular-people upcoming album.
Anyway, during his final song, I’m pretty sure he came out of the closet.
I give you the lyrics to the song “THE REAL ME.” [Ed: This is Clay’s cover of a Natalie Grant song.] Note the second verse especially…
Foolish heart looks like we’re here again
Same old game of plastic smile
Don’t let anybody in
Hiding my heartache, will this glass house break
How much will they take before I’m empty
Do I let it show, does anybody know?[Chorus:]
But you see the real me
Hiding in my skin, broken from within
Unveil me completely
I’m loosening my grasp
There’s no need to mask my frailty
Cause you see the real mePainted on, life is behind a mask
Self-inflicted circus clown
I’m tired of the song and dance
Living a charade, always on parade…
Hmmm…what could he be talking about???
Tragically, the broadcast ended about 90 seconds into this performance, so I have no idea how the song ends. But my jaw hit the ground when I heard those lyrics.
A clip of Clay singing the (cough) provocative tune after the jump.
Filed Under: Television, music
i've seen that queen, and gurl, if thats not turning it, than i'm stunned.
though, yall can keep him, i hate closeted ladies.
she can take her roots, dolls, and homophobia and plow it.
thats not "like a mask" painted on, trick actually you are wearing a mask, its called caked foundation. work.
if you want to listen to a real gay artist, myspace corey tut, or chris garneau.
b
but realy who was the mary waching clay on qvc anyway.
and thats enough of the queens english. how gay was that haters?
geez grow up!! Who is running this place a 12 year old?
Anyway, the gist of my post was that Clay has said this song, to him, is about God, but to someone else, it may be about something else.
It seems to me that Clay has one-upped the media, because that says to me, "Hey, it's wherever your mind is."
Clearly, the media's mind is not on any higher things, but in the gutter.
Guess I should feel sorry for them, but I don't.
It makes perfect sense that he may want to express himself with his singing voice in a way he cannot with his speaking voice. Why should this be a problem to those who really care about him? All I have to say to those blinded Claymates is shut up and listen to his heartfelt cry. If the song is about the fact that only God is listening to him and that only God sees the real man beneath the fan attempts to paint him the heterosexual man they want to see, all the more tragic.
Oh, right - this is M(oron)TV. 'Nuff said.
What makes this particular song an exception to the rule is Clay's own insistence that he picked these songs to reflect his own journey over the past five years. He has been quoted in many interviews of late as saying that this is his most personal CD to date.
One can only assume that "The Real Me" is Clay's own personal comment on what it has been like being a gay man, but having to hide the real Clay behind the manufactured American Idol version that so many take as being really him. No it isn't, and this song is a powerful statement supporting that.
Clay has also, for the first time, not been afraid of how each listener interprets the messages he has placed in these heartfelt songs. For once, the faction of Clay fans who hold out hope against hope that Clay is really a straight man are forced to concede that those of us who believe otherwise are entitled to that view. In fact, it is almost impossible for anyone with half a clue to hear this song and think anything other than that it is the plaintive cry of someone in the closet wanting to be accepted for being who he is.
I applaud Clay for his bravery. This song may very well become as much a statement on the gay condition as "We are Family". I am frankly stunned, but oh so proud.
This song is the sort of statement that so many of his fans have been hoping for. A heartfelt and truthful account of the struggles Clay has been through "on his way here". Obviously, his sexuality had to have played a large role for someone pushing 30, and it is the sign of a true artist to use the medium of music to bare his soul so.
It takes a tremendous amount of courage for anyone to come out. What makes Clay stand out from the crowd is that he used this self-described personal CD to tell the world that he is gay, and this is one fan who thinks more of him, and not less.
Obviously Clay is coming out through this song, but he hasn't lost this fan. In fact, this fan thinks more of him than ever before, if you believe that is even possible.
Such courage!
You are right, it does take courage on Clay's part considering the most vocal of his fans don't seem to want to really listen to what he is saying in this song.
There are few people, though, I think, Denise, who really want to see the end of Clay Aiken. I think that most people want him to succeed, but want him to do it authentically and fearlessly. Let's hope that as fans we can put aside all of the wars over sexuality and join to support him and his future which I'm sure is only beginning.
What a load of crap! You people don't seem to want to really listen to what Clay has said in his normal speaking voice. He has stated many times that he is NOT gay! Why do you think that's a lie, but the song is the "real truth?" Oh, yeah. It's because that's what you WANT the truth to be. Clay has also stated that if he were gay, he'd just say so. Clay has never been afraid to speak his mind - just like when he called out the "rotting souls." MTV is definitely a part of that group.
MTV for me is lumped right in with MSNBC, CBS, NBC, their news is ALWAYS inaccurate and bias. Sad that in this day in age of wars, poverty, and foreign affairs, that all this JERK of a reporter can write about is Clay Aiken, and a song written by a Christian songwriter. Maybe the reporter is talking about himself and how he relates to the song. As he mentioned in another interview, even bringing up Brittney, is that being a celebrity is very difficult. He states that only God and ones own family know the real person inside, trying to get away from CRAP reporters like this. BUT MTV, come on who even watches them anymore, maybe the 12 year olds.
It is sad to read the posts denying Clay his right to self-identify. He has said he is not gay. But because of their own stereotyping, some say he is gay and question him. Do you call others out in real life because of your expectations/perceptions/stereotypes? Do you harass them constantly because they don't measure up to you? Do you have a list of stereotypes that you are using to call out others? I guess the anonymous cowardly producer must have such a list. How do the people around you react when you tell them they are wrong about themselves? You all must think a lot of yourselves and your power over others to deny them their rights.
However, if you look at the song from another perspective, it could be Clay is saying through the song that he is straight - and that the media and everyone else who likes to paint a picture that he is gay are the ones who need to come to the realization that he's straight. That it doesn't matter to him, God knows the true person inside of him.
I personally could care less if he is gay or straight - the fact of the matter is, he has an amazing voice and more character and integrity than these so called news reporters, and than most of the celebrities these days. And that's why I'm a fan of Clay Aiken.
Way lame and juvenile - wait! This is MTV. Duh.
Snippets of each song are also available.
Nothing else is worth commenting on...same ole, same ole...