Aiken-Kimmel a 2/14 Tradition

VALENTINE GREETING -- Cindilu2 designed this elegant card for Clay Aiken's traditional Valentine appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live. The songs from Clay's CD, "A Thousand Different Ways," are the quintessential musical match for St. Valentine's Day.

St. Valentine's Fan Favorite

Aiken-Kimmel in Classic Rewind

February 14 traditions centuries old continue throughout the world this weekend, but none closer to the hearts of Clay Aiken fans than the Valentine Nights the singer appeared on the Jimmy Kimmel Live Show.

In the host's words, "Valentine's Day is Clay Aiken Day." Clay and Jimmy celebrated Valentine's 2005 together, and the CA fandom literally took charge of the stage decor, sending flowers, stuffed animals, balloons in the shape of hearts, and enough pizza for the crew and half the audience.

At the heart of the "Climmel" happenings is a special friendship, complimented by a unique chemistry that has developed through the years. Last Valentine's Day, Clay was perfoming on Broadway in Spamalot; and, with Singerman on vacation, a 2009 event isn't looking very promising.

The Aiken-Kimmel reunion on Feb. 14, 2007, however, was a classic and worthy of a rewind, which will have to fill the Valentine vacuum of 2009. Grab your popcorn; it's almost time for Clay's introduction ...

In addition to being a multi-platinum recording artist, the author of a New York Times bestseller, and tireless UNICEF ambassador, our first guest has been my Valentine for two out of the last three years running. Please welcome Clay Aiken!

Clay Arrives Bearing Gifts

As in past appearances, pandemonium greeted Clay as he entered bearing gifts -- a giant heart of red balloons, the Clay face shirt for his host, and special "Aiken 4 Kimmel" M&Ms. Jimmy immediately whipped off his jacket and put on his new shirt.

The two friends chatted about Clay's break, his upcoming UNICEF trip, his "enthusiastic" fans" ("Do you realize you command a larger army than Fidel Castro?"), some recent dental work ("I heard that you got a visit from the tooth fairy yesterday and had some work done on your teeth"), and what not.

Jimmy's hint that Clay had promised to compose a special Valentine's Day song was met with comical and toally convincing bafflement. As a pianist quietly started playing an intro offstage, Clay relented, "Well, I can make one up."

Valentine Song Lyrics

Mischievously eying the bowl of candy beside him, Clay began picking up pastel-colored hearts, improvising a song with the Valentines and tossing them over his shoulder after their usefulness. Miraculously, a microphone appeared; and the improvisational flavor of the song and skit progressed:

Love me ... true love,
Fax me ... got love,
You're so sweet ... yours forever,
You're so sweet ...
(speaking) I've got Stage 2 diabetes; that's not going to work!
(singing again) Angel ... dear one. (chuckles)
You're a tiger ... you're mine, Jimmy!!!

Back on the message boards came reports that, during commercial breaks, Clay picked up the bowl of candy and passed out sweets to audience members. Definitly a Valentine's Night to remember ... again and again!

Yollie950 has incorporated these events into her new montage: Valentine's Day with Aiken & Bacon.

Valentine's Day with Aiken & Bacon - Montage by Yollie950

Love Song Weekend

What better time to vote for Clay and his music on the Love Songs site than Valentine's Weekend!

Scroll down to Favorite Song Not on the Radio and vote for "Where I Draw the Line." The On My Way Here track is currently No. 1 by the slimmest of margins.

Clickable graphic by Sally

Also, check Clay's circle for Current Favorite Artist. Right now he is #2 behind a whole bunch of singers grouped as "Other."

Bookmark this site, and cast daily votes for the romantic vocals of Clay Aiken!

VALENTINE REWIND: Featured in this collection of graphics are the designs and photos of four visual artists, including ABeautifulMind, 1 and 3; Amazing_CA, photos by Scrpkym, 2, and KarenEh, 5; and MNmeesh, 4.

Vintage Cards Make Unique Valentines

Valentine greetings were popular as far back as the Middle Ages, but written Valentine's didn't appear until after 1400. The oldest known Valentine card is on display at the British Museum.

The first commercial Valentine's Day greeting cards in the U.S. were created by Esther A. Howland in the 1840s. Known as the Mother of the Valentine, Howland made elaborate creations with lace, ribbons, and colorful pictures known as "scrap."

During the Golden Age of postcards (1907-1915), some of the world's most beautiful Valentine's Day postcards were created. You can see in these vintage Valentine's Day postcards the influence of Victorian design and sentiments, which have stood the test of time.

Many antique Valentine's Day cards feature travel as a theme, but flowers, hearts, and cupids are also plentiful. For an interesting step back in time, see Vintage Valentine Cards. Below are the clickable examples.