Clay Aiken is protecting his peace.. The American Idol alum — who recently marked his return to music with the new album Christmas Bells Are Ringing — opened up to PEOPLE about his dating life ...

That's the dream," Aiken says, adding that he hopes he'd be happy to "go live in a small town" away from "clubs." "I just don't have the energy to do any of it," he continues. Clay Aiken.