Currently many people are debating John McCain's choice of running mate, Sarah Palin. The general consensus is that it will be boom or bust. The same boom or bust decisions are made all over the world in karaoke bars every night, only with smaller consequences. There are a number of factors that determine what is a good karaoke song. Of course, you have to be able to pull it off on the technical level. If I stood up to sing a Mariah Carey song, that's a bad choice. I'd never pull it off. This is amongst the most basic and elementary decision making steps in song selection. I suppose knowing your audience should also be mentioned, as busting out some N.W.A. at a country bar would probably be met with some resistance. But my biggest disappointment is when your local American Idol goes straight for the Top 40. In my mind, this minstrel is so pretentious that he or she thinks they can perform this song, which is already pounding the airwaves, that the audience will appreciate hearing this even newer and improved version. On the other hand, maybe they are only uninspired. Harmless creatures that just don't know any better and are just trying to participate. The real glory of karaoke comes from the forgotten songs, the hidden gems. And before you get any great ideas about singing Don't Worry Be Happy by Bobby McFerrin, Top 40 from 20 years ago can still be dangerous. Helping the Baja Men let the dogs out ten years later is also a bad idea. Going back 30 years, you can sing almost anything you want without the same danger, but go back 40 years, and you have to be reverent of the songs that nobody deserves to sing. Yes, you are allowed to sing Dock Of The Bay, but nobody is allowed to cover Sinatra singing My Way - show some respect. (Props to karaoke bars in the Philippines for removing it from their play lists)
So sing your Tom Jones and your Neil Diamond. Bring Elvis back in the building. Rock some Queen if you can. Explore some Bobby Bare for some real fun. But above all, remember this quote from the Karaoke King, "It's not about the voice, it's about the choice."
Southern France 2009
15 years ago
4 comments:
kudos on the research you did to find out that karaoke bars in the philippines removed sinatra from the line up. you inspire me....haha. remind me never to do karaoke in manila...b/c there won't be anything for me to sing now that "my way" is gone!
Zak, do you sing? I had no idea... ;)
It has been confirmed that I sound better from the table than I do holding the mic. But responding to an actual recording artist like yourself, I would have to say that I don't really sing...
I think zak is fine from the mic. I have to say that if you go to a Karaoke bar it is not for the excellent singing. Yeah song choice will get the crowd going but sometimes I want to pick something new thats out not because I think I am better but because I like to sing that song. You just cant care about what other people think if you're bold enough to step up to the mic
Post a Comment