This guy looks like me, except when I sing I have "that look" in my eye...Last night, I had the pleasure of seeing (not participating) Karaoke in China for the first time. Let me say a couple things...first of all, there were some typical American Karaoke stars who were absolutely horrible. This I am used to. However, later in the evening the Americans cleared out, and the locals came to play. These guys don't mess around. At one point, I thought the actual singer was singing the song, until I realized it was a girl with a wireless mic in the back of the room. This forced me to lock it up and figure out some go-to Karaoke songs in case I need to pull them out while I'm here. After staying up half the night worrying about this and researching all morning, here is what I've got:
Key Aspects of a great song:
Crowd must be compelled (and able b/c they know the words) to sing along
Beat must be fairly fast, singing well to a slow song is outrageous and desperate
Song must be easy to sing, because you don't sound as good as you think you do (I do, but you don't!)
Ideally, during the last chorus the song is so popular that you can actually pass the mic to the crowd and let some drunkards bring it home
So, after careful analysis based on these factors I have come up with a short list of songs that work for me. My goal is to discover a go-to song, memorize it, and come up with a routine to really nail it. But this is chapter 1 of a long tale...
Come on Eileen- Dexy's midnight runners
Classic. Easy to sing. Everything you'd want from a karaoke song.
Friends in Low Places - Garth Brooks
A little slow, but scores high on the crowd participation factor...also, I know every word which helps
Sexual Healing - Marvin Gaye
Saucy
I'm gonna be (500 miles)- The Proclaimers
Great chorus, plus I like to sing with a british accent
Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond
Blizzou.
So, that is a start. I would challenge each and every one of you to think hard and long about this issue of YOUR go-to karaoke song. There will come a day where each one of us will stand upon the stage of life and sing one song that will define you forever...it would be a shame to reach that day and be unprepared.
What's your song?
5 comments:
Stop messing around and go with Right Said Fred - I'm too Sexy. The Chinese will never know what hit them...
BLAM.
Ok so just a few things...
1. You don't really need to sing anything you could go up and sing the Barney Theme Song and everyone will be sitting there wondering who famous you are because to them we all look alike
2. If you really do want to be prepared there is only one song to go with..."Never Gonna Give You Up" The Rick Roll... if you don't know the song you are deprived and need to go to youtube immediately
3. For food options just go buy a tons of the dumplings in old town and eat those all the time... or become friends with a bar tender who takes you out to restaurants...thats what I did
I have to second the RickRoll suggestion. It won me a golden mic karaoke award at a bowling alley bar in Redwood City in 2003. True story
I CAN NOT believe that "Livin' on a Prayer" is not on here- and to think, how many times have we taken that song home?? Wow....
craig-
the rick roll.?? hilarious..but you are absolutely right.
dave-you are a dork and i miss you sooo much..
cant wait to see you all..
love maggie and mahala
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