written by David Foster, Richard Marx & Samantha Cole

Kimberley Locke is an American singer/model who became pretty well-known after her participation in the second edition of the extremely popular 2003 TV show American Idol. Locke gained a tremendously satisfying third place behind the two heavyweights of the competition – Ruben Studdard who won and Clay Aiken who came in a close second. Soon after the finale, Ms. Locke signed a recording contract with Curb Records and went on to released her first cd, “One Love,” in May 2004.

“One Love” was channeled into Kelly Clarkson’s musical territory with the help of young music-makers like Shannon Sanders and Shaun Shankel, but also veteran Guy Roche of Christina Aguilera and Celine Dion fame. This cd included “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” and “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” a couple of classic songs originally performed by Locke on American Idol. However, the bulk of the cd was made of new songs tailor-made for the singer’s impressive voice and aimed mostly to teenager audiences. The debut single was a catchy, pop/dance tune titled “8th World Wonder” that became a good Adult Contemporary hit at #6 and was a best seller of 2004. “One Love” reached #16 on Billboard 200 and sold more than two hundred thousand copies.

One of the highlights of “One Love” was a rendition of “Without You.” This powerful ballad was co-written by David Foster, Richard Marx and singer/songwriter Samantha Cole who sang it back in 1997 under Foster’s production. Locke performed “Without You” as a duet with her former American Idol colleague Clay Aiken. Their song result is absolutely noteworthy. Both singers shine vocally and Roche’s expert production gives the song a perfect Adult Contemporary atmosphere.

Although Locke went on to release a couple more albums, she eventually started a good career as a model and TV personality.

If you wish to read a review of Samantha Cole’s original take of “Without You,” just click here.

Listen

Lead Vocals: Kimberley Locke & Clay Aiken
Organ: Herman JacksonGuitar: Kamil Rustam
Programming: Guy Roche
Backing Vocals: Carmen Carter, Dorian Holley & Wendy Wagner

Produced by Guy Roche

Lyrics

Never even thought to cry
When I heard you say goodbye
Never said where you were going

There’s no laughter in the air
Only silence everywhere
And so much left unspoken

Since you’ve been gone
I haven’t been the same
I wish that i could see
Who’s to blame

Without you, where do I belong?
Without you, how can I go on?
And No love but yours will ever do
Tell me how am i supposed to live my life?
Without you

Was I lost in you and me
To the point i couldn’t see
That what we had was dying

Now it’s all that I can do
To see photographs of you
And stop myself from crying

I should learn to live without your love
Got so many memories
But it’s not enough

Without you, where do i belong?
Without you, how can i go on?
And No love but yours will ever do
Tell me how am I supposed to live my life
Without you?

I feel helpless and, oh, so all alone
Like I’ve never felt before
You made me feel alive
But I don’t remember what it’s like anymore

Without you, where do I belong?
Without you, how can I go on?
And No love but yours will ever do
Tell me how am I supposed to live my life
Without you?

Without you, where do I belong?
Without you, how can I go on?
Tell me how am I supposed to live my life
Without you?

Oh baby where do I belong?
Please tell how can I go on?
Without you…

Written by David Foster, Clay Aiken & Emanuel Kiriakou

Clay Aiken is one of the most talented singers discovered by American Idol. Aiken, in terms of vocal style and musical sensibility, can be seen as a modern version of Barry Manilow. In 2006, the singer released his third album, “A Thousand Different Ways.” Overseen by David Foster’s sister Jaymes, “A Thousand Different Ways” presents ten well chosen covers of adult contemporary classics plus a few new songs.

Among the covers are Richard Marx’s “Right Here Waiting,” Céliné Dion’s “Because You Loved Me” and “Bryan Adams’ “(Everything I Do) I Do It For You.” All these songs were respectfully performed by Aiken who put his own stamp on each. One of the new songs, “Lover All Alone,” co-written by the young singer with David Foster and Emanuel Kiriakou, was included as a bonus track on the Itunes version of the album. It’s an intense, heartfelt ballad beautifully sung by Aiken and produced by Kiriakou. The strength and value of “Lover All Alone” made great buzz among the singer’s fan base and afforded the song to be included on Aiken’s subsequent record, “On My Way Here.” Released in May of 2008, this album is an eclectic collection of original material mostly produced by Kipper of Sting and Chris Botti fame. It mainly showcases great ballads that are Aiken’s forte, but also interesting up-tempo tunes like “Everything I Don’t Need” and the title track. In addition to co-writing “Lover All Alone,” David Foster played the piano on the ballad “The Real Me,” originally written by Natalie Grant for her 2005 album “Awaken.” “On My Way Here” was also executive produced by Jaymes Foster.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/lover_all_alone.mp3|titles=Lover all alone|artists=Clay Aiken]

Lead Vocals: Clay Aiken
Piano, Electric and Acoustic Guitar & Keyboards: Emanuel Kiriakou
Hammond B3: Doug Petty
Cello: Cameron Stone
Shaker: Jimi Englund

Produced by Emanuel Kiriakou

Lyrics

maybe i’ve convinced myself i’ve really been in love
and i’ve been wrong all along
for all i know the feeling and the picture that i’ve tried
so hard to find isn’t mine

could be its all just a waiting game
wanna share my everything c

and on my own
its hard to tell my heart it will be alright
this love it holds will one day find a home
as hard as love can be
its harder still it seems
to be a lover all alone without love

picking up the pieces makes me wonder if
i only build it all to watch it fall
the faster it can go away it means the less of me
is gone to stay and i’m ok

but lonesome(?) tomorrow comes anyway
i’m alone for another day, another day

and on my own
its hard to tell my heart it will be alright
that this love it holds will one day find a home
as hard as love can be
its harder still it seems
to be a lover all alone without love

and on my own
its hard to tell my heart it will be alright
that this love it holds will one day find a home
as hard as love can be
its harder still it seems
to be a lover all alone without love
a lover all alone… without love

maybe i’ve convinced myself i’ve really been in love
but i’ve been wrong all along