Entertainment For Lively Minds
Songs that are impossible to sing
A friend of mine is a keen karaoke singer. She regularly goes to a local bar that has karaoke nights and, by all accounts, does a pretty passable Cher. The key is, of course, to pick songs that are easy to sing and there are a number of well-known songs that people often take on before realising they’re a damn sight harder to sing than they’d first imagined. I don’t mean sing well; there are songs that are impossible for someone who isn’t a trained singer with a good range to even carry the tune. I was listening to this old Patti Austin record just now and it occured to me that it must be the ultimate karaoke elephant trap: starts off pretty simple, mostly on one note, but then demands a terrifying feat of vocal gymnastics.
Like most people, I occasionally hum along to music when I’m listening to it. But if this comes on I keep my trap firmly shut.
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"You sang me a song as pure as the breeze"
You've got to consider the lyrics as well as the tune. You'd think that a bit of drink-induced squiffiness ought to enhance a Shane McGowan impression, but when it's too late you realise just how many words there are crammed into the average Pogues song, even if they are slurred.
Mark Radcliffe was presumably on apple juice:
I seem to recall that someone on "Celebrity Fame Academy" was given "Lovin' You" to sing, which seemed a bit harsh.
Anything by Prince
In my mind I can play the guitar, dance on stage and hit the falsetto like the Purple Plaything....in reality I am more like Dylan without the talent.....
Sparks
Surely any attempt at Mael-ism is utter suicide for all but the most gifted of yodelists.
My favourite? Or do I hate it?
Do you know, I've never been quite able to work it out.
The Scylla and Charybdis of Karoake
For her: "Loving You" (Minnie Riperton)
For him: "Without You" (Harry Nilsson)
I think it all depends on
I think it all depends on what kind of singer you are, and how well you know the song. I've played the PlayStation game 'Singstar' with friends ( essentially karaoke but you get scored on how well you keep time and in tune ), and some of those are incredibly difficult. It's usually the speed which defeats me - either because it's hard to keep up with the lyrics, or because there's precious little room to breathe in between lines!
One Week
I can carry a tune, but I once did "One Week" by Barenaked Ladies on karaoke and it didn't go well. Too many words, not enough pauses.