Memories of AI2: Top 5 -- "Build Me Up Buttercup", but don't break my heart or I'll be going "Solitaire"

April 29, 2003 -- This was the first night where the remaining contestants sing two songs--one from the 60's and one composed by Neil Sedaka. Clay started with a very sexy rendition of "Build Me Up Buttercup" and finished by singing an amazing "Solitaire" which brought Neil Sedaka to tears. All three judges praised the performances and Neil Sedaka said, "you sing like Andre Agassi plays tennis - PERFECTION, PERFECTION - and I would kill to write and produce your first CD." After "Solitaire", he declared, "I have lost my song forever to you. It will always be a Clay Aiken song". This was also the night that I knew that no matter what happened Clay Aiken would have a music career if he wanted it. Thank you Obi Wan.

~~Build Me Up Buttercup~~


Judges' Comments:
Randy: Yo, yo, Clay, yo, man, you know what, you know what? What I'm impressed by tonight, you tried to change the thing up a little bit like we been sayin', it sounds the same every week, dude you did a great job, man, I was entertained!
Neil Sedaka: Clay, you sing like Andre Agassi plays tennis, perfection, perfection. And I would KILL to write and produce your first CD.
Paula: OK, Clay, I feel like I wanta get up a give you a hug.
Clay: And dance?
Paula: I really do, you know why? Cause when I critiqued you before it wasn't about dance steps, it was about your spirit dancing... and you did... good for you!
Simon: Why do you think that's a good thing for you to give somebody a hug? I'm horrified. Umm... actually, I agree with most of what everyone's said, I think you've made the effort you came out to entertain... I've just never known what that song is about... Build Me Up Buttercup, what does it mean?
Clay: Ha ha, it's a British song......
Randy: Good answer Clay!


~~Solitaire~~


Judges' Comments:
Randy: Clay, you know what dawg? I'm lovin' this part of this competition 'cause with you and Ruben and Kimberley Locke coming up, and Trenyce, and everybody trying to win this... Dude, you did your thing, man, I'm so impressed, dawg.
Neil Sedaka: Bravo, Clay, I've lost my song forever to you, it will always be a Clay Aiken song.
Paula: One of the most brilliant songs written. Absolutely, Clay, it's one of your most vulnerable performances ever, and you didn't give any like staged look... you just were. And I think that you've broken out of what other judges have critiqued you as better suited for Broadway, and you are now the pop singer, and you just ARE.
Simon: Ummm... I have to congratulate you, Neil, on that song, that is a 10, that song, it's just superb, and Clay I want to say something to you... I think you're one of the few people I've met throughout all of these competitions 'cause you can take criticism like a grownup. Learn... you definitely got better you've lost some of these facial things which I think was distracting, and you just did a really grownup, fantastic, performance. Congratulations.

Other Performances:

1st song:
1. Ruben Studdard- "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" (The Temptations)
2. Trenyce- "Proud Mary" (Tina Turner, Credence Clearwater Revival)
3. Josh Gracin- "Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye" (Eddy Arnold)
4. Kimberley Locke- "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" (Gladys Knight &the Pips, Marvin Gaye)
5. Clay Aiken- "Build Me Up Buttercup" (The Foundations)

2nd song:
1. Ruben Studdard- "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" (Neil Sedaka)
2. Trenyce- "Love Will Keep Us Together" (Captain and Tenille)
3. Josh Gracin- "Bad Blood" (Neil Sedaka, Elton John)
4. Kimberley Locke- "Where the Boys Are" (Connie Francis)
5. Clay Aiken- "Solitaire" (Neil Sedaka, The Carpenters, Elvis)





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Related Tags: Clay Aiken, Neil Sedaka, American Idol, Solitaire, Build Me Up Buttercup, Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell