written by David Foster, Claude Kelly & Emanuel Kiriakou

May 2010 saw the release of Charice’s first international album. Her self-titled record debuted at #8 on Billboard’s 200 and sold about  43.000 copies on its first week.

David Foster and his sister Jaymes were the executive producers of “Charice” and enlisted a team of young music-makers to work on the album. The first single, “Pyramind” was a dance number featuring Iyaz and produced by Twin & Alke that became a top twenty single in the UK and a big hit in Japan but it wasn’t well received in the US. The reason could be that Charice was well-known in North America for her brilliant covers of famous ballads by the likes of Celine Dion and Whitney Houston and those audiences probably didn’t buy the modern dance approach of “Pyramid.” Thankfully, Foster produced two tracks on “Charice” that are perfect for Adult Pop lovers. One song entitled “Note To God” was written by Diane Warren and it’s obviously a fantastic showcase for the young Filipino’s voice. “Note To God” was released in the US several months before the album and it helped consolidate Charice’s reputation among music lovers. The second Foster production was another ballad entitled “In This Song.” Co-written and co-produced with the talented Emanuel Kiriakou, “In This Song” was another perfect tool for Charice with its sweet melody and dramatic crescendo. The singer’s voice soars high on this number with its crystal clear tone and impeccable control. Unfortunately the rest of “Charice” wasn’t as impressive with too many songs a tad generic with their teen pop/dance feel. Charice is an amazing talent but we think she’s at the top of her game singing stuff like “In This Song” and can leave the forgettable material to other not as gifted singers.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/in_this_song.mp3|titles=In This Song|artists=Charice]

Lead Vocals: Charice
Drums: Dorian Crozier
Piano, Acoustic & Electric Guitars: Emanuel Kiriakou
Piano & Keyboards: David Foster
Background Vocals: Claude Kelly

Strings Arrangement by David Foster
Produced by Emanuel Kiriakou & David Foster

Lyrics

I may not know where I’m going now
This broken road is trying to tear me down
But deep inside I’ve found
A secret place that I never knew
Where I feel safe when the world is untrue
Here’s what I’ve learned to do

Just sing this song
And it takes me right back where I belong
And everyday there’s a new bridge to cross
But I’m never far from home
If I put my heart, my soul, my all in this song, oh

I don’t depend on friends ’cause they come and go
My belief in myself is gonna carry me through
That’s why I’m learning, oh
I’m learning, yeah, I’m learning to sing

Just sing this song
And it takes me right back where I belong
If everyday there’s a new bridge to cross
But I’m never far from home
If I put my heart, my soul, my all

I may not have all the words that I need to say
And know I won’t always be strong
But I’m never afraid because I hold my destiny
And it depends on me alone, alone so

Just sing this song
And it takes me right back where I belong
And everyday there’s a new bridge to cross
But I’m never far from home
If I put my heart, my soul, my all

I’ll keep giving my heart, my soul, my all
In this song, in this song, in this song

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