Loading ...Last night I happened upon a karaoke night at my local bar, and while the people running the show had one of the most pockmarked books ever–No Skid Row, yet four Pulp songs? One Guns N’ Roses track, but twelve offerings by the Sugababes?–they did have what I think is becoming my new favorite song to sing in these sorts of venues, Irene Cara’s “Fame.” It has everything a good karaoke song needs–”Hello, please get acquainted with my awesomeness” lyrics, a song-ending key change, a line where one can mime the pointing of a gun–and this (possibly Solid Gold-sourced) video of the song, in which Ms. Cara lip-syncs while a) wearing an outstanding, head-surrounding gold lame costume and b) standing in front of a backdrop of her name*, has become my new benchmark of theatricality for future performances. She even does the side-to-side hop that I did during the guitar solo!
Irene Cara – Fame [YouTube]
* In an amazing font, I might add.
Wait, four Pulp songs is a bad thing?
@Poubelle: No! It’s just weird, given that the context is Queens and not, say, Sheffield.
Snoop did 1980 better than 1980 did.
I’m so sorry I missed seeing you do the side-to-side hop. Srsly.
I’m a “Purple Rain” karaoke man, myself. If I’ve done my job right, by the end I’ve got everyone in the place waving their hands for the final breakdown.
@dennisobell: Sounds like you and I are karaoke soul-mates. If a place is good, I can do a “Raspberry Beret”, “I Would Die 4 You”, “Kiss”, AND “Purple Rain” extravaganza.
@Rilo-Andy: Holla! My wife isn’t even a Prince fan, and even she likes “Raspberry Beret.” It also has his most story-like and interesting lyrics on a hit single, arguably — great karaoke fare, since you’re focusing on the words more than usual.
@dennisobell: Awww damn now you got me missing Minneapolis… But now I know you and I should Prince-out sometime!
Not so weird considering to influx of “hip” kj’s to come out of the gate, trying to cater to a younger (i.e., Britpop infused) crowd. The Pulp and Sugababes songs are certainly from the UK, and they don’t seem to want to expand their “Rawk” songs. And considering that KJ’s can now be more selective about what kind of book they want, they can leave out stuff that they are not interested in hearing done terribly night after night. But I would have to say shame on them, because you should try to cater to everyone, especially Rawkers. They usually make the evening much more Metal-ic and hopefuly entertaining.
@dennisobell: “The Beautiful Ones” has always been my favorite, especially when gyrating on the chez lounge that the bar I used to host at had. Always could get the crowd going with that one. Always. Every time.