Entertainment in prospect

[nineveh_uk]

Christmas cometh, and the family programme puts itself together. A lovely review for Scottish National Ballet's Cinderella, and it looks like I can put off being organised and getting myself to see Carol and go with my Dad and sister (2).

But most importantly, a bit of arm twisting has got everyone signed on the dotted line for karaoke! I love karaoke, because inside my reserved exterior lurks the heart of an total exhibitionist. All I need is a microphone, an excuse, and the knowledge that I'm not going to embarrass myself more than anyone else, and I'm off. My sisters were a done deal. My father simply needed introducing a youtube vid of Don't Cry for Me, Argentina with lyrics and the assurance that you can alter the pitch and the concept was sold*. I'm not sure what was said to my brother-in-law, but it worked - possibly that this was the opportunity to see my father singing Don't Cry for Me, Argentina. And so my mother decided that she wasn't going to be left out.

Now you must excuse me, I'm going to be practising Let It Go and I Know Him So Well and pretending the TV remote control is a microphone until Christmas. In the meantime, tell me your karaoke favourites! I need to come up with suggestions for Mum.

*Admittedly I did this on returning from my parents' 70th birthday meal, so the digestif might have helped.

Comments

[caulkhead]

Let it Go, Don't Cry for Me and Let It Go? Are you trying to give everyone ear worms that will last till mid January?

*wanders off humming "Nothing is so good it lasts eternally…"

[nineveh_uk]

"Perfect situations must go wroooong!"

[gramarye1971]

Journey's Don't Stop Believing is my best choice -- it never fails to get applause in a karaoke bar. But anything with a repeated chorus is good, because if you forget the lyrics to a verse you can usually catch up again when the chorus repeats.

[nineveh_uk]

A chorus that everyone knows is indeed very valuable. I remember once attempting "Holding out for a Hero" and realising that I simple had no idea of the tune for the verse...

I should note that this is not a karaoke bar, but a place where you get private rooms (painted black and with cheesy props), so at least the embarrassment factor is limited!

[antisoppist]

I think that is because the verse to Holding out for a Hero is more or less all on one note. (I was in my 20s before I worked out it wasn't guards she was wanting but gods).

I would kind of like to do karaoke but the only time I was anywhere where people did it was Finland c. 1992 and it was always the Finnish version of Those Were The Days or similar sort of mournful/Russian/Tango kinds of things.

[nineveh_uk]

It all being on one note would explain it. I can manage the first line and after that it's all blah blah blah, though I must admit that I'm considering Total Eclipse of the Heart (which will involve trying not to sing the literal video version).

I think mournful songs can work if they are the sort that let one emote with big arm gestures, but not if they are the dirge sort.

Buy Son a mike for Christmas to do it via the computer...

[fallingtowers]

I can't carry a tune to save my live, so I don't do karaoke myself. However, I'm quite fond of watching others embarrass themselves with ABBA's Greatest Hits... :)

Also, slightly belatedly, a happy birthday to you!

[nineveh_uk]

ABBA's Greatest Hits are always a good choice. Perhaps you could try something from "My Fair Lady" in the style of Rex Harrison :-)

And thank you!

[tree_and_leaf]

Born to Run. Unless you grew up in New Jersey, it's practically impossible to understand all the words other than the obvious bits, so if you get stuck you just mumble-growl more.

Also wishing you a belated happy birthday!

[nineveh_uk]

Now Bruce Springsteen could definitely be an option for Mum!