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What's Your Go-To Kareoke Song? (i.e. the one you most like to sing)

Posted over 3 years ago

Let me preface by saying I hate most kareoke. Like suddenly 10 beers and a microphone gives people one shot in fame? Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad if the result didn't so often mimic the rejects in competition Day 1 of American Idol.

In Japan, Karaoke is a fine art. You can take lessons on how to Karaoke better. In America, we aren't so lucky. (Though according to E-Bay, if you want, you can purchase a nifty box-set with instructions on posture and breathing, etc... to improve your Karaoke skills behind the scenes (guy-who-cracks-bathroom-mirrors-while-singing in-shower, I am talking to you!))

KARAOKE SINGING INSTRUCTION KIT: http://tinyurl.com/5autxq

The issue is I was invited to a Birthday gathering early next week and was dismayed to find the Birth-day man in a Blonde Wig holding a microphone on the e-vite. Yeah, that's right, evidently he's rented a room that fits over 25 people and he's encouraging us to dress up like our favorite singer when we attend.

I like the guy and all, but this all seems like a high-price to pay (not to mention the gun-shot gift I'll buy at Chinatown on the way (I'm thinking Fireworks; he's got a sense of humor)).

So I ask- correction, I plead- to you fellow moggers- do you have any recommendations for good karaoke songs that NO MATTER WHAT will NOT make me look or sound like Helen Keller just got bit by a dog (sorry, low blow Helen), or a a frog that was just burned by hot water (um, you know those traumatic childhood 'incidents' you try to demolish from memory? Well, I had this cute frog once as a kid and, trying to help out, I innocently tried to give the lil guy a steamy hot bath- (the dude was covered in mud!) -and boy can some tree frogs sing. He survived but I've never recovered from the guilt)? Recommendations?

A song that makes anyone sound divine? A song with simple chords that buttress the voice so it could launch a 1000 ships or cause one or two well-wigged attendees to cry?

What's your go-to karaoke song?

P.S. If any of you take suggestions from the following list: (My Heart Will Go On By Celine Dion Is Number One on the list of 40), I have my doubts......

www.ez-tracks.com/top-400-Karaoke-songs.htmlps If I were fluent in spanish, I would TOTALLY perform this song.....it's bad ass. Happy Friday by the way :)
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Comments (42)

  1. PopeyePete
    PopeyePete says Tiny Bubbles in the wiiiiine (thank you, thank you)
    Permalink posted 05/30/2008
  2. joeybenavides
    joeybenavides says "Touch Me" by The Doors is my best song. I've somehow developed a great Jim Morrisn through years of smoking and drinking cheap beer. I'm trying to work up "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" right now.
    Permalink posted 05/30/2008
  3. scotfree
    scotfree says I was most surprised by Men Without Hats' "Safety Dance". Did that once at a 50's rock/ old country karaoke just to be annoying, and the crowd really liked it! Also, had a great time with The Clash's "Rock The Casbah"...a great beat, and not too challenging vocal range Good luck!!
    Permalink posted 05/30/2008
  4. Universalis
    Universalis says ° ° ° Serge Gainsbourg's "Le poinçonneur des lilas" That is my all time karaoke best song. Now about how to self improve skills at karaoke singing has nothing different from any other live or TV performance. Mirror practice is good, but it doesn't give you any opportunity to review it later. Get a camcorder, shoot you funny face singing the K on your fave songs, then review what's not looking good, where you were out of tune and so on... then rehearse it again and again until YOU are satisfied with it, and don't forget you will ALWAYS find 2 things in any Karaoke-bar or K-café : a) There will always be someone in there to say your performed awfully poorly b) There will always be someone in there whose voice sounds worst than yours :)))
    Permalink posted 05/30/2008
  5. NeilNathan
    NeilNathan says when karaoke is really good, it's like surreal performance art with off key singing in all the right places on exactly the right song the idea that you're supposed to actually sing well is a fallacy though my neil diamond impersonation has been known to make the ladies swoon, it's way more entertaining when i duet with a girl on you don't bring my flowers and she can't sing at all find a guy and a duet on video killed the radio star the crappy karaoke mics usually have just the right radio like effect he uses on that vocal and the female part benefits from a weird non singer vox also, people usually sing along, so they're not noticing you much much luck!
    Permalink posted 05/30/2008
  6. Bartleby
    Bartleby says I'm sure that if Universalis was around, he'd say that karaoke comes from kara empty and ōke orchestra. That it was a form of entertainment invented in the 70s in Japan because it appealed to their love of "practising" and "amateurism" as it were (that's why you see so many Japanese on golf practice, and that's why there's a karaoke championship) Now karaoke in the Western World is a way of partaking in Schadenfreude charade-like games. Instead of guessing a word, you try to guess the original song being butchered for your ears only. It's also been used as a corporate team building technique because it allows you to make fun of your boss and fun of yourself. So fear not being ridicule and go up there grab that mike and smooth it like Ewan in his kilt
    Permalink posted 05/30/2008
  7. DaveCromwell
    DaveCromwell says For me - "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" - and I do a hybrid of both The Bob Dylan *and* Guns N' Roses version ;-)
    Permalink posted 05/30/2008
  8. matt cleveland
    matt cleveland says "Why Don't We Do It In The Road" by The Beatles
    Permalink posted 05/30/2008
  9. Universalis
    Universalis says ° ° ° @Mike """their love of "practising" and "amateurism" as it were (that's why you see so many Japanese on golf practice, and that's why there's a karaoke championship)""" Switched two words below : their love of "amateurism" that's why you see so many Japanese on golf practice and "practising" that's why there's a karaoke championship :)))) I'm like in Motörhead's City Kids, "...i'm always around" :))
    Permalink posted 05/30/2008
  10. Cody B
    Cody B says
    Permalink posted 05/30/2008
  11. brendanhalpin
    brendanhalpin says Well, I think you need a song where you can just lay the cheese on in a really thick layer. I like Tom Jones--either "It's Not Unusual" or "What's New Pussycat." Even if you can't sing at all, you kinda can't miss with those. But I'm not sure if that's true for women as well as men. I'm thinking something disco-ish. "I Love the Night Life" would probably be a winner. "Don't Leave Me This Way"--fantastic. Don't see how you could miss with "Bad Girls" or, if you're feeling especially raunchy, "Love to Love You Baby." (The moaning part will go over big even if you can't sing at all.) And, of course, I'm a huge fan of "To Sir With Love", which would probably be fun. And my secret dream is to belt out Wham's "Freedom" at karaoke. And, despite the evidence of the preceding sentence, I am actually a heterosexual man.
    Permalink posted 05/30/2008
  12. EmBone
    EmBone says Oh my god, I can totally empathise. I went to my boss' engagement party only to discover, upon arrival, a karaoke machine and a $5 microphone. It wasn't pretty. Suffice to say I refused the temptation to sing, and only wish that some of the other guests had of done the same. That being said, I'm in Japan at the moment and it seems ok here. I'd pick something like 'I fought the law' or something fun and cheesy like Madness, and as much as you want to, fight the temptation to sing any of the following- Stevie Wonder, Aretha, The Beatles, Bob Dylan or Lauryn Hill. No matter how much we've practiced with the hairbrush we ain't gonna do it better and the sooner everyone realises this the better
    Permalink posted 05/30/2008
  13. indiepixie
    indiepixie says Joey- The Doors....maybe a bit low for my range? Francois- Can't go wrong with Serge. But thanks for the tips. geeez...shoot myself in front of video ? sounds risky but maybe a necessity. Scot- Gonna pass on the kasbah. Neil- That's KILLER. video killed the radio star. number one choice thus far! :) Bart/Michael- I LOVE This clip. had forgotten about it! Agg....under the sea indeed Cody- I am scared. the cowboy hat throws me off but he's actually got a good voice! Brendan- def don't have the skills of Wham's Feedom haha EmBone- sounds horrible! Hmmm " I fought The Law" ain't bad...I am doomed :0
    Permalink posted 05/30/2008
  14. vannatta
    vannatta says IP: for you - "Stand By Your Man..." keep it open and throaty - even an octave lower if you need to... can't go wrong there... and you can belt it out and emote if you feel up to it. For me its always been this - and only because I can do the nasally impression well and no matter how many beers I've had - I'm on pitch... it always helps when a girl or two joins me on stage too... for the other bits...:
    Permalink posted 05/30/2008
  15. Cody B
    Cody B says The socio-political, gender, and humor issues that would arise from a female vox doing Brandy (You're A Fine Girl) could provide cover for any lack of musical abilty. You could also get some male back up singers to do the Do-Do-Doo-Doo's..
    Permalink posted 05/30/2008
  16. PopeyePete
    PopeyePete says Anything by Leonard Cohen will work.
    Permalink posted 05/30/2008
  17. vannatta
    vannatta says ...dude that's the ticket...
    Permalink posted 05/30/2008
  18. PopeyePete
    PopeyePete says Another choice: Midnight at The Oasis
    Permalink posted 05/30/2008
  19. Chuck Guest
    Chuck Guest says The Kareoke song I would excel at? 4' 33" by John Cage.
    Permalink posted 05/30/2008
  20. indiepixie
    indiepixie says can we all just appreciate Van's advice "keep it open and throaty - even an octave lower if you need to... can't go wrong there..." hehe cute.
    Permalink posted 05/30/2008
  21. KoriLinc
    KoriLinc says Foreigner's " I Wanna Know What Love Is" has a great pitch, ( I sang it and I am an alto)... its a slow tempo song. K
    Permalink posted 05/30/2008
  22. Neill
    Neill says I can shout Debaser till the cows come home.....
    Permalink posted 05/30/2008
  23. Dale
    Dale says Two words ... Suffragette City. How can you not have a good time singing that song? Especially if you can freak out the audience during "wham bam thank you ma'am". Yeah, just let the image of *me* singing that roll around your mind. LOL!
    Permalink posted 05/30/2008
  24. o n e - s e
    o n e - s e says I'm thinking about something funny to sing, glam but good. Maybe could be Bon Jovi's "You Give Love A Bad Name" or "Living On A Prayer" or maybe Def Leppard's "Bringin' On The Heartbreak"... When I'm driving in my car (sober) and one of these songs is playing I turn up the volume and sing (shout) those lyrics with an intense feeling. To be in a karaoke I must be a little drunk, so I guess the feeling and the fun would increase if I sang one of those songs with some booze in my head.
    Permalink posted 05/30/2008
  25. david hyman
    david hyman says house of the rising sun - the animals? roadhouse blues - the doors born to be wild - steppenwolf smells like teen spirit - nirvana from 2000-2005, i went to japan and korea once a month. i was revered like a god for my stumbling performances
    Permalink posted 05/30/2008
  26. indiepixie
    indiepixie says dude i feel like "smells like teen spirit" coming from me would insinuate the wrong image :) One - unfortunately i do a really bad "jovi" impersonation :) Thanks for the tips tho. and the sweet note prior
    Permalink posted 05/30/2008
  27. david hyman
    david hyman says indiepixie, i think we need to get a group together in ny. i know a good place in koreatown. byob.
    Permalink posted 05/30/2008
  28. indiepixie
    indiepixie says yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyeah! a full on contest. it's on.
    Permalink posted 05/30/2008
  29. Cody B
    Cody B says I volunteer...to judge.
    Permalink posted 05/30/2008
  30. Joxley
    Joxley says My tip is go for something where you can make you performance can out weigh the crappiness of the singing... Pulp are a good choice if you can pull of a Jarvis impression... failing that, just rock the irony
    Permalink posted 05/30/2008
  31. Cody B
    Cody B says I hear there's a NYC MOG meet in August.
    Permalink posted 05/30/2008
  32. Sam The Artist
    Sam The Artist says guilty...
    Permalink posted 05/30/2008
  33. Charley Rogulewski
    Charley Rogulewski says madonna's like a prayer..its always a winner
    Permalink posted 05/30/2008
  34. fistula spume
    fistula spume says Personally I like Sugar Hill Gang's Rappers Delight. I know all the words to that one and you don't have to know how to sing to sing it. That and you get to say awesome rhymes about peas and kaopectate.
    Permalink posted 05/30/2008
  35. ivylander
    ivylander says Last year, while slightly squiffy, I offered my rendition of "Okie From Muskogee" to a mostly non-white audience of Mrs. Ivylander's family. The fact that I retain all limbs is, I would wager, a testimony to the song's capacity to accommodate any singer....
    Permalink posted 05/30/2008
  36. White and Nerdy
    White and Nerdy says Kick Out the Jams by the MC5. Always a fun for me. If that one isn't in the Karaoke book, then something by the 4 Tops or The Temptations.
    Permalink posted 05/30/2008
  37. dshs70
    dshs70 says As I absolutely refuse to take karaoke even mildly seriously, I typically wind up leading as many people as I can talk or blackmail into it in a stirring rendition of "My Ding-A-Ling" by Chuck Berry. I don't think this really helps you, but any chance to make it occur to a few more people to sing that song in public is one I have to take. On the genuinely attempting to be helpful front, "Train in Vain" is quality and pretty damned easy to sing.
    Permalink posted 05/30/2008
  38. ivylander
    ivylander says "Twist and Shout" is also pretty much foolproof.
    Permalink posted 05/31/2008
  39. indiepixie
    indiepixie says I'm with White and Nerdy on the Temptations...Madonna's Like A Prayer just ain't my style, sorry Charley :)....maybe "Twist And Shout" would get the crowd up and at em tho... :) Thanks guys these are priceless!
    Permalink posted 05/31/2008
  40. robot-james
    robot-james says I had a great karaoke party starter with Power Of Love by Huey Lewis and the News in some place in LA recently - it's crap, but it worked! Other than that it's Billy Ocean I mostly trust for drunk fool making karaoke times, sure I wake up with a strong sense of self loathing but that can be dealt with when the time comes!
    Permalink posted 05/31/2008
  41. incurablyerin
    incurablyerin says Whenever I venture into that Never Never Land, I make damned sure to stick to stuff in my range...which is about 3 notes. Dylan is a safety net. Can't hardly go wrong with Thin Lizzy either. If you happen to be in some stellar karaoke spot that actually has Iggy & the Stooges and Patti Smith stuff--capitalize, my friend, capitalize.
    Permalink posted 06/01/2008
  42. mr molly
    mr molly says whatever you do, do not even think of attempting to sing a 'Roxette' song... i made that mistake once, sure the choruses seem all easy, innocent and all sugary and sweet, but the verses are just jam-packed with strange rhythms and timings filled with ramshackle nonsensical lines of broken-english that will bring you unstuck quick sticks. my stock song is 'Born to Run' by the boss, the easybeats friday on my mind is a chestnut too
    Permalink posted 06/01/2008

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