I've been thinking about this poll with Clay and Elliott and thinking about how I like Clay and how I love Elliott and I wonder about what's up with that. Anyway, it came to me that (and I apologize for this and I want you to know that I also like Jimi Hendrix, Kanye West, Pink, etc.) one of my favorite entertainers is Barry Manilow. I've been to a few of his concerts and he might not be the straightest knife in the drawer (who knows), but when he sings he knows women's plights, longings and needs. I think Clay knows the same things. He knows what women want and he tries to provide it vocally. Elliott, that sweet boy, doesn't necessarily know what women want (he's learning), but he HAS WHAT WOMEN WANT!! He doesn't need to talk me into it, he just has it - the swoons happens involuntarily - I have no control over myself when I hear Elliott sing. What the heck?!

And by the way, Elliott works for the guys too, because in addition to the swoon factor, he is just that great. Elliott is the singer for the century, for all the centuries. I love him.

It's funny that you should mention Barry Manilow and Clay in the same post. Just about an hour ago I was talking to someone about Clay and said he reminds me of Barry Manilow in that they both remind me of 'lounge' singers. I would pick Barry over Clay if I had to choose only because I find Clay too 'smarmy' (please, not a put down, just my opinion.) But luckily we have Elliott who has everything that the other two don't have for me....I never, never think of smarmy when I think of Elliott.

What women want= EY!! (But how can he possibly cope with all of us??)
I personally think he was born with it--not sure if it is a learnable or achievable gift--some kind of IT factor, that I have virtually NEVER seen in any other man...they may have parts of it but not the total essence of it.
Seems like a God-given gift, like his voice...

Well I am not a Barry fan, I like his music but he has no swoon factor for me...neither does Clay. I do see the comparison between these too...

BUT
Elliott is very different from the boys above...he is much more Macho..male... R&B...cool....

I know his love songs would be in the same genre and appeal to women...but I really don't like the comparison.

I'm trying to explain the differences, not the similarities in Clay and Elliott (some similarities in the passion of the fans). I'm trying to be sensitive to the Clay fans and try to understand their loyal passion to him. I have a major loyal passion to Elliott and mine seems justified, but I see that some Clay fans feel that their fandom is justified too. I used a term "on purpose" when referring to the way Clay sings (let's make this part of the song, pretty, let's make this part of the song, sincere, lets make this part of the song, powerful, etc.) over at the site where we vote for Open Arms. Clay's performance seems on purpose, by that I mean he musically manipulates the listener. I don't know how to say this without insulting Clay fans, but manipulation and showmanship might be considered the same thing.

Elliott is soooo much more - he is a miracle - he opens his beautiful mouth and out comes the sounds of a blessed eternity, the life shimmering radiance of pure rapture (and he's darn good too). He has the most beautiful voice in the history of the world - he never manipulates us because as we listen he is surprising even himself with the magnificence of his talent. I love him and I don't understand how anyone else cannot hear what I hear in Elliott. I just seem to see some of the same passion for Clay in the posts over at the voting site so I'm trying to understand.

A simple way for me to explain it is that Clay and Barry know what women want (they are not providing it but they understand), and Elliott is what women want - when I hear songs from Barry for instance, if they are love songs I think about my DH, but if I hear a love song from Elliott, I think about Elliott!!

Whoa, that just hit me like a ton of bricks! You are so "right on", :rocker:

I too wanted to understand why some feel about Clay the way we do about Elliott. I scratch my head because it baffles me too--I mean, what??? I think you are right, Clay does know how to sing beautifully. He IS an awesome singer, but he just doesn't make me feel what Elliott does. His voice (to me) is one dimentional, while Elliott's is in some way "thick" almost like he's singing a chord instead of just one note. (Forgive me if that doesn't make sense, but I can't explain it in any other way.)

Elliott's voice oozes pure masculinity, rawness, and something I can't put my finger on...what it is it??? I've been trying to figure this out for a long time. I still don't know. Maybe it has something to do with who he is, the love inside his heart just shining out? It's more than just his voice...

Sometimes when it's been a few days since I've heard his voice, I turn on "Home" and then, I'm shocked...I begin looking at the adjustments on the stereo...he sounds so amazing, I'm thinking what's changed on the adjustments...it's got to be different somehow from the last time. Is there more bass? Tenor?? But it's just that amazing voice...He is a miracle.

I agree Elliott is growing...I listened to his ASFY from Birmingham AL posted on the idolstalker website, and it was just so passionate...with him singing like that he's going to have a great many swooning...

Another singer who I think had what the ladies want too is Elvis.

LOUD & CLEARLY!!!
:1word: Elliott is just OMNIDIMENSIONAL!!!