Your karaoke songs...

[Johnny Vodka]

So what do you like to sing when you hit the karaoke?

Last night, I did this...



and this



and this



... in front of colleagues, mostly older females.

 

[danny la rouge]

He'll Have To Go, Release Me, and Cold Cold Heart.

 

[Kuso]

we'd a lab night out to a restaurant with karaoke rooms upstairs, they had a rubbish selection of music though but did have this:



which everyone else hated, or at least my version of it!

When I did this one, everyone joined in



someone always requests it if we have a lab night out now

 

[Casually Red]

my party piece

 

[stavros]

It's well over ten years ago, but I did this in a pub once, complete with fake gurgling for the vocoder bits;

 

[killer b]

i once did grandmaster flash's 'the message', forgetting it was 7 minutes with no instrumental breaks.

i do a killer version of 'cheek to cheek'

 

[ATOMIC SUPLEX]

I always forget any song that I know off by heart as soon as I am confronted by a Karaoke Machine.
These are the two I did at a Karaoke bar in Tokyo this April.

 

[Sweet FA]

I would love to say the Monkees' version but really it's this one and I should probably be actually smashed in the actual mouth.



Or this. I do this and properly air guitar to the solo. Seriously, it's liderally excellent.



(True story: I did 'Come Together' on a Saturday morning TV programme in Panama and 'I'm A Believer' on a Korean TV advert).

 

[Casually Red]

i can bate out a reasonably passable version of this

 

[Casually Red]

(True story: I did 'Come Together' on a Saturday morning TV programme in Panama and 'I'm A Believer' on a Korean TV advert).

Ill only be impressed if it was North Korea

 

[story]

I’ve only done Karaoke once before, an ill-considered and badly-done version of Move On Up (Curtis Mayfield).

With the recent rise in popularity of karaoke in gig halls, I decided I needed to work up a couple of songs in case I ever feel the urge.

First choice was Ace of Spades, cos I have always loved it unto very death, cos it’s short, and because it is distilled essence of RnR.

I spent some time studying Lemmy’s vocals (thank you, YouTube) including his isolated vocals, and the reaction of a professional singer and vocal coach.

Main concern was to sing it rather than shout it. How does he do that shredded pitch perfect delivery all night long? How?

Anyway, I managed it and got not only a good round of applause (which is only to be expected, it’s etiquette innit) but also a couple of we-are-not-worthy salutes, a congratulatory hug from the MC, and two other people coming over later to give me props.

So I’m gonna take that win, and keep going.

Thinking of other songs I can do….



Eta
Also, while thinking and studying this, I was reminded once again of how top dollar this diamond geezer was, and how I felt when he went home.

 

[Idaho]

Impressive 12 year bump.

I love a bit of karaoke. I've gone as far as building myself a karaoke room in the back garden.

Never done any British/American style "try and sing one song really well in front of a load of strangers". I would rather sing more and care less.

 

[story]

I guess it’s been that long since anyone was bothered about karaoke.



I get what you’re saying Idaho and this was actually a conversation that happened last night. A friend said “sounds like you’ve practiced that” and I admitted that I had.

He said what you said, and I disagreed. Not on principle, but purely for myself.

- RnR and live performance is extra- important to me, like, sacred almost, so personally I wouldn’t want to do it slapdash

- Mostly, I find karaoke really boring and annoying. I usually dip when the karaoke starts and it was this that made me decide to work up a couple of songs for myself

Imo people choose badly : songs that don’t lend themselves to karaoke. And I really don’t enjoy standing around watching drunk people sing songs ( some of which I actively dislike) badly. The only time I enjoy karaoke is when someone is actually performing. It doesn’t need to be good, but it needs to be heartfelt, I want to see some commitment and verve, some effort and intent. Otherwise, for me, it’s like being obliged to watch someone wanking about in front of the mirror, wibbling on in a self indulgent manner. Boring and annoying. No hate, no judgement, it’s only an opinion and carries no weight. It’s purely subjective and I’d never assume to argue anyone to agree with me.

I know it’s fun, and I think it’s a very very good thing for people to sing, and to sing aloud in public. And as soon as I finished I wanted to do it again, immediately. So I do get it. It’s the standing around feeling squashed and marauded by bad bad boring delivery that I don’t enjoy. So I’d leave. Not forced out, I choose to absent myself from the annoying thing. But going home before I was ready was also annoying me, so instead I decided to join in. And because of everything I said, I wanted to do the best I can. I’m certainly no singer, but I am a show pony, so putting on a performance for 2 minutes seemed possible.

 

[farmerbarleymow]

It'd be a crime against humanity if I was to sing karaoke.

 

[Idaho]

It'd be a crime against humanity if I was to sing karaoke.

I'm sure I've heard worse.

If I want to really try and sing a song well, then I'd prefer to sing alone. I don't really like singing in front of people. I love a sociable karaoke evening - like in Japan - where some people are singing, some chatting, some adding a song, some having a drink. A few people can sing well, some are ok when they find the key, and some are not so good singers in various different ways. An evening with friends, singing a load of good and bad songs, well and badly is wholesome fun. Better than the usual boring conversations.

 

[story]

I'm sure I've heard worse.

If I want to really try and sing a song well, then I'd prefer to sing alone. I don't really like singing in front of people. I love a sociable karaoke evening - like in Japan - where some people are singing, some chatting, some adding a song, some having a drink. A few people can sing well, some are ok when they find the key, and some are not so good singers in various different ways. An evening with friends, singing a load of good and bad songs, well and badly is wholesome fun. Better than the usual boring conversations.

I could probably deal with that sort of karaoke thing much better than putting it on after the last band when everyone is pissed and not everyone knows each other.

 

[story]

The pub across the street from my garden does karaoke and it doesn’t bother me. I’m not standing around in the venue. I think it’s a very specific aspect that I dislike.

 

[Derek S-H]

I still haven't had this experience and it is on my bucket list!

I've heard random people as I've walked past pubs and they're usually terrible - either flat or completely in the wrong key for their voice. And I think a large part of that is due to the fact that most of us sing unamplified (though you get a sense of reverb in bathrooms), so don't realise that you can adapt your singing style so it's more controlled and let the microphone do most of the work for you.

I used to be a very confident public singer, then I met someone who was a classically trained musician and I was slightly in awe of her and respected her opinion highly (probably too much, in retrospect). She told me I wasn't good and that completely killed all my self-belief, to the point that I don't even sing "Happy Birthday" (but I do still sing at gigs!).

I do find singing very exposing and it's not something I'm comfortable doing, mainly because I love music so much and am a very critical listener. I listen very closely to the sound of people's voices, as well as their pitch, tone and accent in everyday life. I would highly recommend this book if you'd like a non-technical and very readable examination of what singing is and means:

Amazon.co.uk

As for karaoke songs of choice, I have three clear favourites I'd like to do before I die:


(I want this played at my funeral! Also, I do sing high quite naturally and this has always been my favourite at their gigs)


(Even though I am 60, I want to scream and roll around on the floor to this in front of a horrified audience)


(Because it completely meets the criteria listed above of being heartfelt and I would totally commit to it and worry about it later)

 

[Rebelda]

Ironic - Alanis Morisette

Unwritten and These Words - Natasha Bedingfield

La Isla Bonita and Papa Don't Preach - Madonna

Complicated - Avril Lavigne

I'm considering giving that don't impress me much by Shania Twain soon

 

[May Kasahara]

Bestie and I do a cracking version of Faith No More's Midlife Crisis

Solo faves include I Want To Break Free, Dreams (Fleetwood Mac rather than Gabrielle), I Touch Myself and Solsbury Hill.

Rebelda you and I still need to duet on I Want It That Way

 

[Aaronf]

The one that goes - I got chills.... they're multiplying.... and I'm loooooosing control.... the powerrrr.... you're supplying....

I can't remember the rest of the words, I have to read them off a screen.

 

[story]

Derek S-H
I had singing shamed out of me as a child. I’ve always felt it as a loss and I’m trying to mend that breach.


So… I’m assuming you know that Pet Shop Boys’ Always On My Mind is a cover…? So it makes sense to want that version for your funeral, and to do that version for Karaoke, but being the pedantic know it all, I can’t help pointing out that it’s a cover.

 

[story]

The one that goes - I got chills.... they're multiplying.... and I'm loooooosing control.... the powerrrr.... you're supplying....

I can't remember the rest of the words, I have to read them off a screen.

Fortunately, that’s how karaoke works.





Knock yourself out!

 

[Derek S-H]

The one that goes - I got chills.... they're multiplying.... and I'm loooooosing control.... the powerrrr.... you're supplying....

I can't remember the rest of the words, I have to read them off a screen.

It's "You're The One That I Want."

So… I’m assuming you know that Pet Shop Boys’ Always On My Mind is a cover…? So it makes sense to want that version for your funeral, and to do that version for Karaoke, but being the pedantic know it all, I can’t help pointing out that it’s a cover.

Of course! And it was voted the greatest cover of the 20th century by the listeners of Radio 4, I think!

Aren't cover versions allowed at karaoke, or do they have to be original versions? I don't want to do Elvis! And Paul Young is also a cover too and I would never attempt Marvin Gaye!

 

[Aaronf]

Derek S-H
I had singing shamed out of me as a child. I’ve always felt it as a loss and I’m trying to mend that breach.


So… I’m assuming you know that Pet Shop Boys’ Always On My Mind is a cover…? So it makes sense to want that version for your funeral, and to do that version for Karaoke, but being the pedantic know it all, I can’t help pointing out that it’s a cover.

Great version and karaoke choice. I only found out not so many years ago it was an Elvis song!

 

[story]

My friend and I were considering Islands In A Stream.

And I’m thinking of doing Dr Hook’s Sylvia’s Mother…

 

[Aaronf]

It's "You're The One That I Want."


Of course! And it was voted the greatest cover of the 20th century by the listeners of Radio 4, I think!

Aren't cover versions allowed at karaoke, or do they have to be original versions? I don't want to do Elvis! And Paul Young is also a cover too and I would never attempt Marvin Gaye!

Thanks Derek, good to speak to you again!

 

[story]

Great version and karaoke choice. I only found out not so many years ago it was an Elvis song!

I love Elvis’ rendition.

Not his song though. There are hundreds of covers. Brenda Lee did the first released version of it, which I love, her aching voice and delivery.





I like this live one by Willie Nelson too:

 

[story]

It's "You're The One That I Want."


Of course! And it was voted the greatest cover of the 20th century by the listeners of Radio 4, I think!

Aren't cover versions allowed at karaoke, or do they have to be original versions? I don't want to do Elvis! And Paul Young is also a cover too and I would never attempt Marvin Gaye!

No! Do what you want, whichever version is best for you.

 

[Aaronf]

I love Elvis’ rendition.


I like this one too:

That just got me thinking so looked and the song has quite a varied origin! The person who first recorded it actually never released it until 3 months after someone else released it in 1972. Then Elvis was the first to really have success with it having been the second to record it 1 day after the original recording but not releasing until months after the 1st two!

& to think most know it from the Pet Shop boys version!