Karaoke favourites

[Tooting Gull]

Yes, of course it's a bit naff - but after a few beers...

What's the crowd-pleasing big number that you would belt out on the stage? Must admit I'm a bit of a karaoke virgin, having only participated en masse with some other ushers at a wedding. Having said that, our rendition of 'Sweet Caroline' brought the house down. And now, in a mid-thirties crisis-type way, I'm ready to move on up to bigger things next time I'm wrecked and the opportunity arises.

So for those more experienced - what are the show-stoppers?

 

[Soton Seagull]

As a student i got thrown out for doing EMF unbeliable whilst drunk, bouncing around, screaming down the mic and generally causing musical offence.

Now I am a grown up (sic) I hate everything it stands for, particuarly drunk women singing 'I will survive'

 

[Seagull over NZ]

An American mate got me doing this a few times and a particular favourite of mine was surprisingly Elton John - Crocodile Rock, don't know why I did it first time but went pretty well. The key being that its easy to sing, you can get the crowd going and jig around a bit.

Mate of mine always murders Tom Jones Delilah. Once sang it in an American bar and not one person had heard the song before so they died big time. Very amusing to watch.

 

[chips and gravy]

I Will Survive should be banned!

 

[Faldo]

I HATE Karaoke!

 

[pasty]

I Will Survive should be banned!

I used to live opposite The Beaufort in Queens Park Road and was regularly subjected to renditions of that in varying degrees of crapness.

 

[Barnet Seagull]

Twist & Shout or Delilah

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

Big trouble with karoke is the often poor choice of songs I find.

That said though, I once sang Frank Sinatra's " My Way" in a bar in Chinatown in Kuala Lumpa in Malaysia and got a marvellous reception from the locals who take their karoke very seriously. Unfortunately, a few hours and many, many cold drinks later, I ruined it by singing a Madonna song ( sung as a duet with a girl ).

Still, I did it my way.

 

[The Large One]

Where is Sheebo in this? I think he wants to organise a 40 Notes Karaoke Night. All Albion fans welcome etc.

Anyway, I Will Survive makes me puke. In fact, there are a whole load of Karaoke Classics which make me puke - too numerous to mention, especially by people puking while singing. Yep, I've seen that. Very brave, she was to, and I am sure it improved the vocal chords.

For me, the old North Stand was the best singalong venue. I don't think we need a TV screen and a microphone once 1,000 Albion fans get pissed up...

 

[Life After Bobby]

Wonderwall. Easy to sing, just add a bit of attitude

 

[Dave the OAP]

being a bit of a "singer" ( mostly the choral stuff) its nice to sing a few kareoki stuff.

Elton John songs are all around my range, and Candle in the Wind is nice and easy to sing.

I have had a go at most songs from Lionel Richie to Black Sabbath but my all time favourite is Losing my Religion by REM although I did start in the wrong key once and the bloke running it had to come in and correct me

I also massacred "Sign your Name" by Terrence Trent Derby ( a tad high in the canticles)

 

[Lush]

I love Karaoke.

I will do "Hey Big Spender" and waggle my fingers about.

 

[JJ McClure]

Have only done Karaoke once. It was whilst drunk and as a bet for more beer. It was a slurred rendition of Mustang Sally. Never again.

 

[Dave the OAP]

"moondance " is also a favourite

Sing along now................................

Well, it's a marvelous night for a moondance
With the stars up above in your eyes
A fantabulous night to make romance
'Neath the cover of October skies
And all the leaves on the trees are falling
To the sound of the breezes that blow
And I'm trying to please to the calling
Of your heart-strings that play soft and low
And all the night's magic seems to whisper and hush
And all the soft moonlight seems to shine in your blush

Can I just have one a' more moondance with you, my love
Can I just make some more romance with a-you, my love

Well I wanna make love to you tonight
I can't wait till the morning has come
And I know now the time is just right
And straight into my arms you will run
And when you come my heart will be waiting
To make sure you're never alone
There and then all my dreams will come true, dear
There and then I will make you my own
And everytime I touch you, you just tremble inside
And I know how much you want me that you can't hide

Can I just have one a' more moondance with you, my love
Can I just make some more romance with a-you, my love

Well, it's a marvelous night for a moondance
With the stars up above in your eyes
A fantabulous night to make romance
'Neath the cover of October skies
And all the leaves on the trees are falling
To the sound of the breezes that blow
And I'm trying to please to the calling
Of your heart-strings that play soft and low
And all the night's magic seems to whisper and hush
And all the soft moonlight seems to shine in your blush

One more moondance with you in the moonlight
Can't I just have one more dance with you my love

 

[Lush]

But can you sing the word "fantabulous" without smirking and raising one eyebrow?

 

[Man of Harveys]

At last, something I know a wee bit about. You've got to be realistic about your limits. Find your level.

Anything too high and/or soulful and sadly I'm in trouble - I didn't just murder Zoom by Fat Larry's Band the other week, I mutilated the body in a way that would make a native Fallujan proud.

My rendition of I Heard Through The Grapevine in the original key was shockingly bad - apparently the original was recorded a tone or two above Marvin Gaye's normal range in order to make him sound "anguished" and the punters at Berties Wine Bar in Wimbledon certainly were by the time I'd scraped through to the end.

However...for some reason, both Delilah and Gold seem always to come out a treat. Neither are songs exactly to undersell, of course. Duets with girls are also always good: bit of It Takes Two, Paradise By The Dashboard Light maybe. Good for pulling, bit of eye contact etc.

Being familiar with Tooting's speaking voice, I'd maybe suggest something a bit on the baritone side. You can't go too far wrong with Sinatra, Neil Diamond, maybe even Barry White. New York New York, Sweet Caroline, finished off with Your The First, My Last, My Everything. That's a great night right there, as the Americans say.

 

[Dave the OAP]

Barry White stuff is always a bit too low for me ( I sing first tenor - knackers cut off etc) , I find Stevie Wonder stuff is about my level although he has a very high voice as does most black motown singers of that genre.

"fantabulous" has to be sung with a slight " come and get me girls" look in the eyes but just normally looks like I have something in my eye

My all time favourite is Mack the Knife - modestly I can make a bloody good attempt at that

 

[Norman Baker suck my lozenge]

Hi HO silver lining,

 

[Braders]

only done it once , 'how you remind me' by nickleback was the tune

 

[Long Saulty Seagull]

At last. A subject matter dear to my own heart.

Where shall I start.?

Alice Cooper - House Of Fire.
Bon Jovi - Living on a Prayer.
Chumbawumba - TubThumping.
Helloween - Mr Torture.
The Oha Song - Smap (Japanese Lyrics Only).
Anarchy in the UK - Sex Pistols.
Guns N Roses - Paradise City.
America - West Side Story.

The list is endless.............