Your help is sorely needed... after exams I'm going to make a mix for some friends who typically end up at a karaoke bar when we drink together.
First of all, I'm not sure how to approach it - include all the old favorites, or include all those songs people seem to want to sing but can never remember the words? For instance, with a song like "American Pie," part of the beauty of it is that you never hear it but still know all the words. I don't want to ruin the magic here. At the same time, someone inevitably sings it at our karaoke night, and it might be a little piece of memory for folks. If left to my own devices I will fill the entire thing with Townes Van Zandt or something.
Second (and probably more importantly) I especially need your help thinking of songs to include in addition to any old standbys. Do you have a signature song? What are your favorites?
[Also, do you see any social significance to the fact that the late 70s and early-to-mid-80s produced soooooo many ballads, especially duets? Because there are a whooole lot of them, many involving Barbra Streisand.]
Posted by jess at May 9, 2004 10:07 PMGiven that karaoke is by default a horribly embarassing experience I don't thing i'll embarass myself any further by admitting my favourites.
I used to do a lovely duet with my friend mykl to Neighbours' stars Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan singing "Especially For You". It was truly a beautiful experience everytime.
(Yeah, Kylie before she became really cool)
Salt n Pepa's Push It is a good song for singing with a bunch of ladies, as is anything by the Spice Girls.
Ultimately though, Elvis Costello is probably my favourite choice as his songs are so damn singable.
The sailors say BRANDY! What a FINE GIRL! What a GOOD WIFE! You would be....but my life, my love and my lady....IS THE SEA!!!
DO DO a DO DO....DOO Dut a DOO DOO!!!
My bro and I always sing 'You can't always get what you want' by the Rolling Stones-I get to sing the Boys' choir thing at the beginning and harmony on the refrain, as well as the verse about "I went down to the chelsea drug store...." Then he does beatbox during the long instrumental. It's a thing of beauty, it really is.
Ladies always like 'Son of a Preacher Man'
but I myself am more likely to sing 'The Weight' by the Band if it's offered, as it fits my range much better and you get everyone to harmonize on the 'and-And-AND-ANDDDDD!!!" part.
I'm incredibly Karoke-spoiled, because I got some friends hooked on it at the bowling alley and they went out and actually BOUGHT a sweet karoke system-they have like 1000 disks or something insane like that and they always have parties-also we just go and sing on weeknights if we feel like it.....
Posted by: becca jo at May 10, 2004 10:23 AMIslands in the Stream by Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers! EXCELLENT karaoke!
Posted by: Giao at May 11, 2004 2:44 AMtotal eclipse of the heart. totally. :)
Posted by: athena at May 11, 2004 12:52 PMOh, I would go with "Eternal Flame" -- and channel my best 1988 Susanna Hoffs.
Posted by: joy olivia at May 11, 2004 3:46 PMAl Green - anything by Al Green
My stand-by's are Like a Prayer by Madonna, When I grow up by Garbage, Son of preacher man and Bette Davis Eyes (though that movie Duets kind of ruined it).
For the boys, Round + Round by Ratt and anything Weezer usually has good results. Cheap Trick is often overlooked in favor of anthems from Grease, but Surrender is usually a goodie.
Posted by: Qdog at May 20, 2004 8:39 AManimotion's "obsession" song is great to umm sing ya sing after a few. Like a butterfly...
I also sang "I Got You Babe" with five male friends for my 30th birthday a few years back.
Posted by: snowflake at May 20, 2004 1:39 PM