As much as I liken karaoke to a religion, at the end of the day, it's still a business. A bar pays me X amount of money to stay X amount of time. A bar's purpose in hiring me is to sell alcohol by offering patrons a fun diversion. In other words, my job is to sell alcohol. If I want to keep my job, then I do my best to attract people to the bar who are ready to pony up their hard-earned money for drinks and food.
That being said, I frequently stay later without pay just because I love you guys and I love karaoke. I love when you have a good time and I enjoy entertaining. And that being said, I still have to sell alcohol - so thanks for drinking.
As for those of you who are not designated drivers and just order water, well, shame on you. I should have written about this as one of my pet peeves, but I didn't think about it until now. I am not saying that you have to drink alcohol or that you have to get drunk. I understand the concept of "bar hopping," having done it many times myself. I'll understand if you already had too much to drink somewhere else and stopped by to sing a song. Rather, I am addressing the person who comes in for a few hours, drinks nothing but water, and still thinks they have a constitutional right to maintain their spot in the rotation. At least order a soda or some food. The bar is a business, not a charitable organization. And if you think spending two dollars on a soda warrants keeping you in the rotation for three hours or more, then think again. I probably won't say anything to you, but really? If you are one of these non-spenders, then rest assured that the people spending money are going to sing before you. Still, I'll always give you the benefit of the doubt. Just don't become a repeat offender.
As someone who is trying to promote a business, certain factors come into play, some over which I have no control, but still have to deal with on any given night. Weather is big one. Can't control that. Other times, I am competing with a concert or a comedy show. There might have been some special event the night before which many of my regulars may have attended but are now too old to rock and roll two nights in a row. Yes, kids, as we age, it takes longer to recover. Sometimes it seems as everyone has the same cold. Gesundheit! In Albany, we can suffer from the "every other week" syndrome. Many people get paid every two weeks, so by the second week after payday, some are a little short on disposable income.
Over the course of a karaoke year, the factors outside my control balance out with especially beautiful weather or nights like the Wednesday before Thanksgiving when the non-cookers are ready to jam all night long. Other factors are under my purview.
At this point in my karaoke career, I've found that it's fairly easy to dj when I have a crowd. Get people up as quickly as possible and keep the bumper music in between singers upbeat. Throw in some one-liners and you have a show. It might turn out to be somewhat frustrating for people who want to sing more often, but as I have said before, I can't warp time. On the other hand, when it's slow, dj'ing is more of a challenge. First of all, many nights start slowly. People don't come out as soon as I start my show. That's the normal order of things. Although I don't always know if a particular night is going to be busy, absent factors which might suppress a crowd, like snow or rain, I don't worry about it if I know it's usually a decent night. In those cases, until it picks up, I play more music in between singers, saving the big hits for later when the crowd gets bigger. It's all about maintaining a good "flow."
As a DJ, there is something you don't want to do. You don't want a nascent crowd to leave because there isn't a critical mass of people essential for a good time. My job is to keep you there until the reinforcements arrive. Not too many people like an empty bar. Whether a person is looking to just have a good time or even looking for love, an empty bar holds little promise. People like people. It's not uncommon for someone to walk into a bar, take a look around, and upon discovering there are only a few people and no one you know, to turn around and try somewhere else. That's true of any bar, whether or not there is entertainment. So I do what I can to get things rolling. I'll tailor my song selection to the people there. Maybe I'll tell a funny story. Hopefully, all goes well and the crowd arrives.
Another big factor in maintaining a crowd, at a straight bar anyway, is a good gender mix. People do come out hoping to find love and/or sex. There have been nights when a bunch of guys came in looking for women and left after one beer because they couldn't find any. It kills me when 20 minutes after they leave, a group of women come in hoping to find some guys, only to be disappointed. Timing really is everything. Like it or not, in business, sex sells. It's a fact of life and I can't ignore it. So, if a group of guys come into a fairly empty bar, I always hope that a group of women will soon follow. Or vice versa.
Then there are nights when I just don't know what to expect. Such was the case recently. It was the middle of the week, the wind was blowing furiously and some of my early regulars failed to materialize. Slow nights happen - another fact of life. When they do happen, it's my job to keep whoever is there for as long as possible by providing them with a good time. And, you never know. There might be a late rush.
The other night there was just a handful of guys but only one woman. Normally, this lopsided mix is not a good thing for building a crowd, especially when the woman is with her boyfriend. This woman, however, was stunning. She was a tall, beautiful brunette and had a very Marilyn Monroe quality about her, although that may have been attributable to her alcohol consumption - she was celebrating her boyfriend's birthday. Sporting a little black dress with excellent decolletage (google it if you don't know what it means) and "fuck me" pumps (thanks Amy Winehouse), she had the rapt attention of every guy at the bar. If this sounds at all sexist to you, it is. I apologize. I'm just doing what a working dj can do to keep his gig. I have bills to pay.
And she sang! Not well, mind you, but with feeling. It was like Madeline Kahn doing her Marlene Dietrich impression for a bunch of cowboys in "Blazing Saddles." She sang and giggled at the same time. The guys loved it.
Before you totally get on my case about this blatant sexism, my interest in this woman was purely business. Quite simply, she was entertaining. Entertaining is my job. I was hoping she would stay long enough until the cavalry arrived.
There was just one problem. Her boyfriend. It's not that he was jealous or upset by the attention she was receiving. He was a good sport about the whole thing. Rather, he stunk. I mean badly. A few of us speculated that he had shit his pants. Whatever the cause of the stink was, it was nearly unbearable. Was it some kind of maniacal social experiment? Did he shit his pants on purpose with the evil intention of learning how long men could tolerate his smell while enjoying the spectacle of his girlfriend? Did she know? Was he into some kind of shit fetish? Does he have his own blog?
Whatever it was, the guys enjoying his entertaining girlfriend were not complaining. I guess that it comes down to this - if you want the girl, sometimes you have to tolerate her shit.
Friday, November 8, 2013
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Who Cares What The Fox Says? I Know Where The Socks Go!
This isn't a story about karaoke, but rather, about an important mystery we have all shared. Since it happened at a gig one night, I thought I should report it in my blog, especially because socks rhymes with fox and it seems everyone wants to know what the fox says.
Where DO the socks go? We have all speculated on the phenomenon of lost socks. We put them in the washer, then the dryer, but then where do they go? The chain of evidence is never in doubt, yet somehow, socks can disappear. One theory holds that socks can somehow be "eaten" by the washer or the dryer. This scenario, however, makes little sense if you really about it. If it was true, then wouldn't the sock clog the machine causing it to break down at some point? One person I asked postulated that the sock can break down into lint and you'll find it in your lint screen, but we all know how implausible this theory is. What kind of devil dryer could do this to a sock?
Have you ever considered this problem from the viewpoint of a sock? Of all our clothing, socks get the least amount of respect. They absorb the sweat from our feet, we stand on them all day and as close as they are to our shoes, which are frequently the subject of compliment, socks get no such recognition. One might argue that a man's boxers, etc, or a woman's panties see more dirt, but they are at least in charge of protecting sensitive, vital areas. We have all heard of sexy lingerie, but lingerie doesn't include socks. T-shirts, once just underwear, are now regularly worn on the outside, often decorated with funny slogans or trumpeting the places you have visited. Marlon Brando, no less, immortalized the "wife-beater" in "Streetcar Named Desire." The only time socks are ever considered sexy is when they are knee socks as part of a sexy Catholic school girl Halloween costume; and if we really think about it, it's not the socks which are actually sexy. Socks are also the only regularly worn article of clothing which comes in pairs. Even when we don't lose socks in the laundry, we still have to match them which can be a pain in the ass. We'll even make fun of someone who isn't wearing matching socks.
So, if you had to be an article of clothing, why would you want to be a sock? You wouldn't. Maybe socks feel the same way.
I had just finished setting up my equipment and was chatting with a friend at the bar before my show started. As I was standing by the bar, I noticed something stuck to my shoe. It was black, and at first, I thought it was a piece of paper. As I shook my leg to get it off, a sock slipped out of my pant leg! A-HA! Apparently, socks hide in other articles of clothing, then try to escape when you aren't paying attention! But I caught this one! Sneaky little devils! Now you know where the socks go. Sid out!
Where DO the socks go? We have all speculated on the phenomenon of lost socks. We put them in the washer, then the dryer, but then where do they go? The chain of evidence is never in doubt, yet somehow, socks can disappear. One theory holds that socks can somehow be "eaten" by the washer or the dryer. This scenario, however, makes little sense if you really about it. If it was true, then wouldn't the sock clog the machine causing it to break down at some point? One person I asked postulated that the sock can break down into lint and you'll find it in your lint screen, but we all know how implausible this theory is. What kind of devil dryer could do this to a sock?
Have you ever considered this problem from the viewpoint of a sock? Of all our clothing, socks get the least amount of respect. They absorb the sweat from our feet, we stand on them all day and as close as they are to our shoes, which are frequently the subject of compliment, socks get no such recognition. One might argue that a man's boxers, etc, or a woman's panties see more dirt, but they are at least in charge of protecting sensitive, vital areas. We have all heard of sexy lingerie, but lingerie doesn't include socks. T-shirts, once just underwear, are now regularly worn on the outside, often decorated with funny slogans or trumpeting the places you have visited. Marlon Brando, no less, immortalized the "wife-beater" in "Streetcar Named Desire." The only time socks are ever considered sexy is when they are knee socks as part of a sexy Catholic school girl Halloween costume; and if we really think about it, it's not the socks which are actually sexy. Socks are also the only regularly worn article of clothing which comes in pairs. Even when we don't lose socks in the laundry, we still have to match them which can be a pain in the ass. We'll even make fun of someone who isn't wearing matching socks.
So, if you had to be an article of clothing, why would you want to be a sock? You wouldn't. Maybe socks feel the same way.
I had just finished setting up my equipment and was chatting with a friend at the bar before my show started. As I was standing by the bar, I noticed something stuck to my shoe. It was black, and at first, I thought it was a piece of paper. As I shook my leg to get it off, a sock slipped out of my pant leg! A-HA! Apparently, socks hide in other articles of clothing, then try to escape when you aren't paying attention! But I caught this one! Sneaky little devils! Now you know where the socks go. Sid out!
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Pet Peeves
Before I get started with my list of karaoke pet peeves, keep in mind that I love all of you - some more than others, of course. And, even though some behaviors can be quite annoying, I always keep in mind that many of you are drinking, sometimes heavily. So, absent someone breaking my equipment or getting physical with me, I forgive your missteps quickly, often with just a roll of the eyes. As with many things, timing affects my degree of annoyance. If it's not busy, then I let a lot of "peeves" slide. However, if the bar is packed and I have thirty or forty people in the rotation, constantly bugging me is far less appreciated. One last thing. These are pet peeves, emphasis on pet. Although there are some chronic pains in the ass, the vast majority of you are wonderful and I wouldn't love karaoke so much without you. With that caveat, let's get started!
1) Am I Next?
I take pride in trying to be as fair as humanly possible. As I dj, a number of things are happening. I might be adjusting sound levels, adding people and their song selections to the rotation, picking songs for bumper music or thinking about snarky things to say on the mic. If you walk into a crowded bar and hand me a request slip, don't expect to be next. Everyone gets their turn. A song can last anywhere between three and five minutes on average. I cannot warp time for you no matter how much I wish I had this power. If you are constantly asking me if you are next, it's just annoying. On the other hand, if it's clear I am not in the middle of something and you ask me how long a wait it will be, I will do my best to give you a decent estimate.
2) Stage Name Changes
I totally get stage names. I have one - Sid Stein. If you have one too, that's great. However, if you think you can change your stage name every time you submit a request slip hoping to trick me into thinking you are a new singer, forget it. You might get away with it once on a busy night, but don't expect it will work twice. It's not fair to people who have been patiently waiting for their turn. What you can expect is a very long wait before you get to sing again.
3) Come On, Sid, Bump Me Up, We Go Back A Long Way - The Guilt Trip
One of the great aspects of being a karaoke dj is all the people I get to meet and become friendly with. However, if I haven't seen you in three years, please don't try to guilt me into bumping you up in the rotation because "we're old friends, Sid." Assuming we were, and unless you moved away and are visiting, where the hell have you been? I really don't think it warrants pissing off my regulars. It's just trying to take advantage of a relationship which probably didn't really exist anyway.
4) Submitting A Request Slip With Only One Name When You Know Your Friend Who Just Sang Is Joining You
If you are new to my show and don't understand how I work the rotation, I am understanding. Dj's have different philosophies about how to work the rotation. So, if you haven't been to one of my shows, it's up to me to explain to you after the song how I do things. I won't embarrass you. I will just ask you to be more specific about who will be singing with you, so one person doesn't get up three times in a row because he or she is merely "accompanying a friend." However, if you are aware of my dj'ing style, you're just being greedy.
5) Booing
Just wrong. Don't do it. We're trying to have fun. It's not amateur night at the Apollo Theater.
6) Bringing Me The Songbook
If the song is in the songbook, trust me - it's there. If you bring the songbook over to me during the show to point out which song you want to sing, keep in mind that the room is usually dark, my eyes focus at a different distance than yours and I can't see through your finger. There are request slips which you can fill out if you want to get into the rotation. You can even tell me the name of the song. I really can't see through your finger. Leave the book at the table.
7) Do You Know That Song On The Radio?
I usually do, but try to be more specific than la la la la. As you hum the melody in my ear while the music is playing, I can't hear you that well anyway. A hint would be helpful. Try to give me at least part of the title or the name of the artist.
8) Do You Know That Song by The Beatles?
Sure I do. I just can't guess which one you are thinking about. Everyone has a smartphone these days. Google that shit!
9) That's My Jam!
If your "jam" is a popular song, the chances are high that someone else will like it too. Please don't get mad at me because someone requested it first. Why were you late in the first place? There's always next time.
10) Grabbing The Microphone
This is one which really pisses me off. Everyone is waiting for their turn to shine. Don't ever jump up and grab a singer's mic or my mic so you can sing along. I don't care if it's "Don't Stop Believing" or "Bohemian Rhapsody." Wait your turn! If it's a song like "Bohemian Rhapsody" at the end of the night and I know you're friends with the singer, chances are that I will hand you a mic anyway. Be polite!
11) Put Me Up Next. I Am Great!
Unless your name is Shakira, and you are actually "the" Shakira, forget about it. I would make an exception for a Make-A-Wish kid. Besides, if you were really that great, you'd probably be getting paid to sing. Karaoke is for fun only.
12) Doing The Roger Daltrey
Please don't swing the microphone by the cord around your head. For starters, it's dangerous. Microphones cost money, so don't abuse my equipment. And, you're not Roger Daltrey.
13) You're A Hot Girl And You Rub Up Against Me Hoping To Get Bumped Up In The Rotation
Okay, I don't really mind this, but just don't expect it to work.
14) Handing Me 20 Bucks To Get Up Soon
I don't mind this. It works. Otherwise, you'll get up when it's your turn.
15) It's My Birthday! Make me next!
This depends on the situation. If we're at a big bar, don't assume that you are the only person having a birthday. I'll do my best so you don't have to wait too long, but be a little patient. If it's a smaller bar with fewer people, I will usually accommodate you pretty quickly. On the other hand, don't let my catch you lying about this.
16) Yelling At Me Because You Think I Skipped Over You
First of all, I didn't skip over you. As more and more singers come into the bar, I have to insert them into the rotation somewhere so they aren't waiting two hours to sing. I try to do this as fairly as possible based on when you came in and when the new person arrived. It's not always perfect, but keep in mind that I am trying my best. It's hard to keep track of everyone and when they entered the bar. So, if you sang after Sam the first time, but not the second time, that's the reason. New people. And yelling at me? Not a smart approach.
17) The Stare
Some people will sit and stare at me until their name gets called. First of all, it's kind of creepy. Secondly, it doesn't speed up time. Staring at me won't affect your spot in the rotation, but maybe you should try doing something else while you wait. Talk to other people. You're at a bar.
18) Screaming On The Mic
The microphones actually work and amplify your voice. No one likes screaming. Really.
19) Scowling At Me As You Stomp Out The Door Because You Didn't Get To Sing When You Wanted
Really? How old are you?
20) Forgetting Your Stage Name
If you are using a stage name, try to remember it. When I call you up and you don't respond, I will move on to the next singer after a few tries. So if you are skipped over, you only have yourself to blame. Don't get mad at me.
Except for a few of these, like booing, damaging my equipment or being mean or physically abusive, you'll find that I am pretty tolerant and cooperative. These are pet peeves for the most part. If you come to karaoke, come to have fun. Be patient and enjoy yourself! There's always next time.
1) Am I Next?
I take pride in trying to be as fair as humanly possible. As I dj, a number of things are happening. I might be adjusting sound levels, adding people and their song selections to the rotation, picking songs for bumper music or thinking about snarky things to say on the mic. If you walk into a crowded bar and hand me a request slip, don't expect to be next. Everyone gets their turn. A song can last anywhere between three and five minutes on average. I cannot warp time for you no matter how much I wish I had this power. If you are constantly asking me if you are next, it's just annoying. On the other hand, if it's clear I am not in the middle of something and you ask me how long a wait it will be, I will do my best to give you a decent estimate.
2) Stage Name Changes
I totally get stage names. I have one - Sid Stein. If you have one too, that's great. However, if you think you can change your stage name every time you submit a request slip hoping to trick me into thinking you are a new singer, forget it. You might get away with it once on a busy night, but don't expect it will work twice. It's not fair to people who have been patiently waiting for their turn. What you can expect is a very long wait before you get to sing again.
3) Come On, Sid, Bump Me Up, We Go Back A Long Way - The Guilt Trip
One of the great aspects of being a karaoke dj is all the people I get to meet and become friendly with. However, if I haven't seen you in three years, please don't try to guilt me into bumping you up in the rotation because "we're old friends, Sid." Assuming we were, and unless you moved away and are visiting, where the hell have you been? I really don't think it warrants pissing off my regulars. It's just trying to take advantage of a relationship which probably didn't really exist anyway.
4) Submitting A Request Slip With Only One Name When You Know Your Friend Who Just Sang Is Joining You
If you are new to my show and don't understand how I work the rotation, I am understanding. Dj's have different philosophies about how to work the rotation. So, if you haven't been to one of my shows, it's up to me to explain to you after the song how I do things. I won't embarrass you. I will just ask you to be more specific about who will be singing with you, so one person doesn't get up three times in a row because he or she is merely "accompanying a friend." However, if you are aware of my dj'ing style, you're just being greedy.
5) Booing
Just wrong. Don't do it. We're trying to have fun. It's not amateur night at the Apollo Theater.
6) Bringing Me The Songbook
If the song is in the songbook, trust me - it's there. If you bring the songbook over to me during the show to point out which song you want to sing, keep in mind that the room is usually dark, my eyes focus at a different distance than yours and I can't see through your finger. There are request slips which you can fill out if you want to get into the rotation. You can even tell me the name of the song. I really can't see through your finger. Leave the book at the table.
7) Do You Know That Song On The Radio?
I usually do, but try to be more specific than la la la la. As you hum the melody in my ear while the music is playing, I can't hear you that well anyway. A hint would be helpful. Try to give me at least part of the title or the name of the artist.
8) Do You Know That Song by The Beatles?
Sure I do. I just can't guess which one you are thinking about. Everyone has a smartphone these days. Google that shit!
9) That's My Jam!
If your "jam" is a popular song, the chances are high that someone else will like it too. Please don't get mad at me because someone requested it first. Why were you late in the first place? There's always next time.
10) Grabbing The Microphone
This is one which really pisses me off. Everyone is waiting for their turn to shine. Don't ever jump up and grab a singer's mic or my mic so you can sing along. I don't care if it's "Don't Stop Believing" or "Bohemian Rhapsody." Wait your turn! If it's a song like "Bohemian Rhapsody" at the end of the night and I know you're friends with the singer, chances are that I will hand you a mic anyway. Be polite!
11) Put Me Up Next. I Am Great!
Unless your name is Shakira, and you are actually "the" Shakira, forget about it. I would make an exception for a Make-A-Wish kid. Besides, if you were really that great, you'd probably be getting paid to sing. Karaoke is for fun only.
12) Doing The Roger Daltrey
Please don't swing the microphone by the cord around your head. For starters, it's dangerous. Microphones cost money, so don't abuse my equipment. And, you're not Roger Daltrey.
13) You're A Hot Girl And You Rub Up Against Me Hoping To Get Bumped Up In The Rotation
Okay, I don't really mind this, but just don't expect it to work.
14) Handing Me 20 Bucks To Get Up Soon
I don't mind this. It works. Otherwise, you'll get up when it's your turn.
15) It's My Birthday! Make me next!
This depends on the situation. If we're at a big bar, don't assume that you are the only person having a birthday. I'll do my best so you don't have to wait too long, but be a little patient. If it's a smaller bar with fewer people, I will usually accommodate you pretty quickly. On the other hand, don't let my catch you lying about this.
16) Yelling At Me Because You Think I Skipped Over You
First of all, I didn't skip over you. As more and more singers come into the bar, I have to insert them into the rotation somewhere so they aren't waiting two hours to sing. I try to do this as fairly as possible based on when you came in and when the new person arrived. It's not always perfect, but keep in mind that I am trying my best. It's hard to keep track of everyone and when they entered the bar. So, if you sang after Sam the first time, but not the second time, that's the reason. New people. And yelling at me? Not a smart approach.
17) The Stare
Some people will sit and stare at me until their name gets called. First of all, it's kind of creepy. Secondly, it doesn't speed up time. Staring at me won't affect your spot in the rotation, but maybe you should try doing something else while you wait. Talk to other people. You're at a bar.
18) Screaming On The Mic
The microphones actually work and amplify your voice. No one likes screaming. Really.
19) Scowling At Me As You Stomp Out The Door Because You Didn't Get To Sing When You Wanted
Really? How old are you?
20) Forgetting Your Stage Name
If you are using a stage name, try to remember it. When I call you up and you don't respond, I will move on to the next singer after a few tries. So if you are skipped over, you only have yourself to blame. Don't get mad at me.
Except for a few of these, like booing, damaging my equipment or being mean or physically abusive, you'll find that I am pretty tolerant and cooperative. These are pet peeves for the most part. If you come to karaoke, come to have fun. Be patient and enjoy yourself! There's always next time.
Friday, November 1, 2013
Sith Stein
My motto is "promoting better living through karaoke." I even believe it. Singing is enjoyable and therapeutic. That being said, I have used karaoke for other purposes. As I referenced in previous posts, there is a dark side to karaoke. Not everyone goes there, but I have. It's tempting and seductive. Sometimes, I feel compelled as I did in my post entitled "Thank you, Ray J."
Although the incident described in "Thank you, Ray J," was personal and involved an ex-girlfriend, sometimes my forays into the dark side of karaoke merely entertain me. Although I know I probably shouldn't "go there," I don't always have a filter and I go anyway, just because I can.
So, for this post, I thought I would share some of my favorite dark side moments. I encourage you to listen to the songs on YouTube and follow the lyrics.
1) "Kiss and Say Goodbye" by the Manhattans
First of all, this is simply a great song. It's about a guy who has to break up with his lover and wants one last kiss. I enjoy a more cynical take on this classic. I think the guy in the song is a player who just wants to dump his lover but wants to extricate himself from the relationship as cleanly and neatly as possible. It's brilliant. He basically is asking the woman to get the hell out of his life but does it in such a beautiful way that she probably thanked him. I have made more than one woman upset by singing this at karaoke. Cruel, I know. I'm not perfect.
2) "Lately" by Stevie Wonder
A gorgeous ballad about a man who suspects his wife is cheating. So you're wondering how I used this? I dated this woman who wasn't quite yet separated from her husband (divorced now) and we had to keep our relationship a bit secret until she actually moved out and started legal proceedings. So she said. She wasn't very happy when I sang this at karaoke, but hey, it's just a song, right?
3) "Turning Japanese" by the Vapors
A Japanese exchange student used to come to karaoke while he was still in school locally. I always would introduce him as the grandson of the guy who invented karaoke. He got a big kick out of it. I sang this song with him. I felt a little racist about it but knew that he and I shared a lot of karaoke love. It was a moment.
4) "Smiling Faces" by The Undisputed Truth and "Backstabbers" by the O'Jays
These are songs I sing when someone has pissed me off by being a two-faced, backstabbing asshole. They are gender neutral. Hopefully, the day will come when I never have to sing them again. #rodneyking
5) "Young Girl" by Gary Puckett and the Union Gap and "You're Sixteen" by Ringo Starr
These songs are seriously wrong. They should be against the law, but no! Who sings these? Roman Polanski, R. Kelly, Jerry Lee Lewis and Woody Allen? I suppose singing "You're Sixteen" is okay if you're sixteen or seventeen, but how old was Ringo Starr when he recorded it? 33! Johnny Burnette, who recorded the original, was 26 - not much better, but it was still included on the "American Graffiti" soundtrack. As for "Young Girl," what the hell? The song warns the girl to get out before the guy has the time to change his mind. The song even admits the relationship is "way outta line."
If I feel so strongly negative about these songs, then why would I sing them at all? Why not? It's karaoke and we're talking about going to the dark side. If I sing "Young Girl" to a 28 year-old woman, no big deal. She's an adult. I do remember singing it to a guy once. A guy? Yeah. It was about 10 pm on a Sunday night when this guy walks into the bar with a little girl, presumably his daughter. Maybe she was 12. Maybe. As the father of three daughters, I was outraged. Who brings their young daughter to a bar at night? And a school night to boot! So I sang "Young Girl." I don't know if the guy got the point, but I hope so. So why did I sing "You're Sixteen?" I think it was Ringo's birthday.
6) "Come Together" by the Beatles
It doesn't matter if I sing this classic or someone else does, my last line is always the same. "Hey, coming together is great, but if don't, it's not the end of the world. Keep trying!"
7) "Jesus Is Just Alright" by the Doobie Brothers and "I Don't Know How to Love Him" from Jesus Christ Superstar.
These are two of my Christmas songs. I think they're funny because I am Jewish. And I totally do a vamp version of "I Don't Know How To Love Him." I especially like bending over when I sing - "how did I get in this position?"
I might as well throw in my Good Friday song with these two - "Number One Crush" by Garbage. "I would die for you." Apropos, don't you think?
8) "99 Problems" by Jay-Z
This is an empowerment song whenever I incur a romantic breakup. "I got 99 problems but a bitch ain't one." Pretty self-explanatory.
9) "Gin and Juice" by Snoop Dogg
First of all, this is my all-time favorite go-to song. I just love it and so does the crowd. It allows me to be theatrical to the extreme. Sometimes, when I begin the song, I hear the detractors. "Oh, look at the old guy trying to rap." Screw you, because I can nail it! I actually enjoy the detractors because at the end of the song comes the big finish - "Biatch!" And assuming that I don't think I will get beat up, I get right up in the faces of these guys and shout - Biatch! It's a thrill.
10) "Close to You" by the Carpenters
When I first started singing karaoke, we had a great busty blonde bartender named June. She was great and deserved a song. I would change the lyrics to "Close to June" and tout that she was named the most stalkable bartender by Metroland Magazine for the 5th year in a row. "Just like me, they long to be, close to June!" I would also claim that June had to take out an order of protection on me.
11) "Will You Love Me Tomorrow?" by the Shirelles
Written by Carole King and featured on her album "Tapestry," I always sing the Shirelles' version. It's faster. Toward the end of the song, I go on a rant, screaming: "Love you tomorrow? I won't even remember your name. And when I wake up in the morning, you'd better be gone!" At times, I have gone really overboard with the rant, but only when I wasn't working. It's more fun after too many drinks.
12) "Love On The Rocks" by Neil Diamond
This is a great song to sing to your girlfriend if you want to break up. I tried it once. If you do, just make sure you watch out for glass projectiles coming at you.
These are just some of the great songs you can sing at karaoke for the wrong reason. I am sure you can find your own. Just don't forget about the real purpose of karaoke - to promote better living. Sid out!
Although the incident described in "Thank you, Ray J," was personal and involved an ex-girlfriend, sometimes my forays into the dark side of karaoke merely entertain me. Although I know I probably shouldn't "go there," I don't always have a filter and I go anyway, just because I can.
So, for this post, I thought I would share some of my favorite dark side moments. I encourage you to listen to the songs on YouTube and follow the lyrics.
1) "Kiss and Say Goodbye" by the Manhattans
First of all, this is simply a great song. It's about a guy who has to break up with his lover and wants one last kiss. I enjoy a more cynical take on this classic. I think the guy in the song is a player who just wants to dump his lover but wants to extricate himself from the relationship as cleanly and neatly as possible. It's brilliant. He basically is asking the woman to get the hell out of his life but does it in such a beautiful way that she probably thanked him. I have made more than one woman upset by singing this at karaoke. Cruel, I know. I'm not perfect.
2) "Lately" by Stevie Wonder
A gorgeous ballad about a man who suspects his wife is cheating. So you're wondering how I used this? I dated this woman who wasn't quite yet separated from her husband (divorced now) and we had to keep our relationship a bit secret until she actually moved out and started legal proceedings. So she said. She wasn't very happy when I sang this at karaoke, but hey, it's just a song, right?
3) "Turning Japanese" by the Vapors
A Japanese exchange student used to come to karaoke while he was still in school locally. I always would introduce him as the grandson of the guy who invented karaoke. He got a big kick out of it. I sang this song with him. I felt a little racist about it but knew that he and I shared a lot of karaoke love. It was a moment.
4) "Smiling Faces" by The Undisputed Truth and "Backstabbers" by the O'Jays
These are songs I sing when someone has pissed me off by being a two-faced, backstabbing asshole. They are gender neutral. Hopefully, the day will come when I never have to sing them again. #rodneyking
5) "Young Girl" by Gary Puckett and the Union Gap and "You're Sixteen" by Ringo Starr
These songs are seriously wrong. They should be against the law, but no! Who sings these? Roman Polanski, R. Kelly, Jerry Lee Lewis and Woody Allen? I suppose singing "You're Sixteen" is okay if you're sixteen or seventeen, but how old was Ringo Starr when he recorded it? 33! Johnny Burnette, who recorded the original, was 26 - not much better, but it was still included on the "American Graffiti" soundtrack. As for "Young Girl," what the hell? The song warns the girl to get out before the guy has the time to change his mind. The song even admits the relationship is "way outta line."
If I feel so strongly negative about these songs, then why would I sing them at all? Why not? It's karaoke and we're talking about going to the dark side. If I sing "Young Girl" to a 28 year-old woman, no big deal. She's an adult. I do remember singing it to a guy once. A guy? Yeah. It was about 10 pm on a Sunday night when this guy walks into the bar with a little girl, presumably his daughter. Maybe she was 12. Maybe. As the father of three daughters, I was outraged. Who brings their young daughter to a bar at night? And a school night to boot! So I sang "Young Girl." I don't know if the guy got the point, but I hope so. So why did I sing "You're Sixteen?" I think it was Ringo's birthday.
6) "Come Together" by the Beatles
It doesn't matter if I sing this classic or someone else does, my last line is always the same. "Hey, coming together is great, but if don't, it's not the end of the world. Keep trying!"
7) "Jesus Is Just Alright" by the Doobie Brothers and "I Don't Know How to Love Him" from Jesus Christ Superstar.
These are two of my Christmas songs. I think they're funny because I am Jewish. And I totally do a vamp version of "I Don't Know How To Love Him." I especially like bending over when I sing - "how did I get in this position?"
I might as well throw in my Good Friday song with these two - "Number One Crush" by Garbage. "I would die for you." Apropos, don't you think?
8) "99 Problems" by Jay-Z
This is an empowerment song whenever I incur a romantic breakup. "I got 99 problems but a bitch ain't one." Pretty self-explanatory.
9) "Gin and Juice" by Snoop Dogg
First of all, this is my all-time favorite go-to song. I just love it and so does the crowd. It allows me to be theatrical to the extreme. Sometimes, when I begin the song, I hear the detractors. "Oh, look at the old guy trying to rap." Screw you, because I can nail it! I actually enjoy the detractors because at the end of the song comes the big finish - "Biatch!" And assuming that I don't think I will get beat up, I get right up in the faces of these guys and shout - Biatch! It's a thrill.
10) "Close to You" by the Carpenters
When I first started singing karaoke, we had a great busty blonde bartender named June. She was great and deserved a song. I would change the lyrics to "Close to June" and tout that she was named the most stalkable bartender by Metroland Magazine for the 5th year in a row. "Just like me, they long to be, close to June!" I would also claim that June had to take out an order of protection on me.
11) "Will You Love Me Tomorrow?" by the Shirelles
Written by Carole King and featured on her album "Tapestry," I always sing the Shirelles' version. It's faster. Toward the end of the song, I go on a rant, screaming: "Love you tomorrow? I won't even remember your name. And when I wake up in the morning, you'd better be gone!" At times, I have gone really overboard with the rant, but only when I wasn't working. It's more fun after too many drinks.
12) "Love On The Rocks" by Neil Diamond
This is a great song to sing to your girlfriend if you want to break up. I tried it once. If you do, just make sure you watch out for glass projectiles coming at you.
These are just some of the great songs you can sing at karaoke for the wrong reason. I am sure you can find your own. Just don't forget about the real purpose of karaoke - to promote better living. Sid out!
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Karaoke Angels
This is a delicate subject because I don't want to come across as the creepy, older guy, a title I try hard to avoid. Nevertheless, the phenomenon of karaoke angels in my work life is a worthy topic, and actually a very sweet one.
Before I became a karaoke DJ, or KJ, if you prefer, I was just one of the singers who hung out at the bar waiting for my turn in the rotation. One of my friends was "dating" the DJ, at least off and on, and I became friendly with him as well. As time went on, he asked me if I would be interested in filling in for him on nights he had a conflict or if he away on vacation. Thus began my karaoke odyssey as a DJ.
I tried to learn as much as I could about being a successful DJ. At first, I studied the technical aspects. With time, I developed my own do's and don'ts, especially with regard to how to handle the rotation and trying to make the singers sound as good as possible.
As important as the technical aspect of being a DJ is, the human element is especially crucial in karaoke. A DJ wants to be as entertaining as possible, keep singers happy and maintain a good flow to the show. Singers have different needs as well. Some are very outgoing, some shy and some drunk. I work in a bar, after all.
Another aspect about which I sometimes get teased or applauded is all the lovely young women who come to my shows, many of whom are the same ages as my children. As much as I try to keep that in mind, there is no denying their charm. And as anyone in the bar business knows, it's always good to have women at the bar. Just a fact of life. And before you think I am somehow obsessed with younger women, think again. I work at night, often very late. My karaoke demographic skews to the younger side. It's just how it is in a late night business. I get a lot of younger people at my shows. People in my age demographic are often in bed by the time things really get going. So there!
So, as I was learning my trade, I also watched how my DJ mentor handled the social scene. He was younger than I but still older than many of the singers. Enter the weird part.
Allow me to backtrack a bit. People come in to sing and aren't always aware of the state of the rotation, i.e. how many people are singing, when they arrived, how many times they have already sung, etc. I understand as well as anyone the "need" to sing and to get up to the microphone as soon as possible. I try my best to balance all the factors to make sure everyone has a good time.
Nevertheless, some people will try to get their songs bumped up in the rotation. Some are better at it than others - by offering to buy me a drink or giving me a tip. Some plead. Some try to stare me down. For me, the hardest tactic to resist is the flirt by a pretty young woman. I admit it. "Please, Sid! Can I sing next?" Add pouty lips, beseeching eyes, and sometimes, I turn to mush. Add alcohol and some of these women can get overly friendly. Help! I'm only human!
And this is where I really had to grapple with my role as a DJ. My mentor had one approach which I had to reject. He got overly friendly too, more than simply flirting in return. Grabby, really. Yes, he was younger and closer to their age, but I thought it was unprofessional. Don't get me wrong. I flirt too, but I really try hard not to cross the line. I try to keep in mind that these women are similar in age to my kids. I'm not perfect at it, but I do try to behave.
Still, as much as I try, I also learn how spectacular these women are. With time, something else happens too. As I see my singers week after week, they become my friends or at least part of my karaoke family. The more I get to know them, the less I think about age differences. They are adults, after all, fully capable of adult conversation and interaction. I stop seeing them as only pretty women and start seeing them as just who they are. And if I'm single, and they are single, well? Who wouldn't want to date them? "If only I was younger" is something I tell myself quite often. As much as the little devil on my shoulder tells me that they aren't my daughters, the little angel tries to keep me in check. So, I had to make a professional decision. How was I going to handle this attention from beautiful young women?
I came up with the idea of karaoke angels. They brighten my night and put a smile on my face. When I see one of my angels, I am happy. It's a different kind of love but just as rewarding. Thank you angels! You know who you are. You are a big part of why I love karaoke. And if I start sounding like the weird, creepy old guy, slap me. And, as much as I love you, just don't expect that you will automatically get bumped up in the rotation Sid out!
Before I became a karaoke DJ, or KJ, if you prefer, I was just one of the singers who hung out at the bar waiting for my turn in the rotation. One of my friends was "dating" the DJ, at least off and on, and I became friendly with him as well. As time went on, he asked me if I would be interested in filling in for him on nights he had a conflict or if he away on vacation. Thus began my karaoke odyssey as a DJ.
I tried to learn as much as I could about being a successful DJ. At first, I studied the technical aspects. With time, I developed my own do's and don'ts, especially with regard to how to handle the rotation and trying to make the singers sound as good as possible.
As important as the technical aspect of being a DJ is, the human element is especially crucial in karaoke. A DJ wants to be as entertaining as possible, keep singers happy and maintain a good flow to the show. Singers have different needs as well. Some are very outgoing, some shy and some drunk. I work in a bar, after all.
Another aspect about which I sometimes get teased or applauded is all the lovely young women who come to my shows, many of whom are the same ages as my children. As much as I try to keep that in mind, there is no denying their charm. And as anyone in the bar business knows, it's always good to have women at the bar. Just a fact of life. And before you think I am somehow obsessed with younger women, think again. I work at night, often very late. My karaoke demographic skews to the younger side. It's just how it is in a late night business. I get a lot of younger people at my shows. People in my age demographic are often in bed by the time things really get going. So there!
So, as I was learning my trade, I also watched how my DJ mentor handled the social scene. He was younger than I but still older than many of the singers. Enter the weird part.
Allow me to backtrack a bit. People come in to sing and aren't always aware of the state of the rotation, i.e. how many people are singing, when they arrived, how many times they have already sung, etc. I understand as well as anyone the "need" to sing and to get up to the microphone as soon as possible. I try my best to balance all the factors to make sure everyone has a good time.
Nevertheless, some people will try to get their songs bumped up in the rotation. Some are better at it than others - by offering to buy me a drink or giving me a tip. Some plead. Some try to stare me down. For me, the hardest tactic to resist is the flirt by a pretty young woman. I admit it. "Please, Sid! Can I sing next?" Add pouty lips, beseeching eyes, and sometimes, I turn to mush. Add alcohol and some of these women can get overly friendly. Help! I'm only human!
And this is where I really had to grapple with my role as a DJ. My mentor had one approach which I had to reject. He got overly friendly too, more than simply flirting in return. Grabby, really. Yes, he was younger and closer to their age, but I thought it was unprofessional. Don't get me wrong. I flirt too, but I really try hard not to cross the line. I try to keep in mind that these women are similar in age to my kids. I'm not perfect at it, but I do try to behave.
Still, as much as I try, I also learn how spectacular these women are. With time, something else happens too. As I see my singers week after week, they become my friends or at least part of my karaoke family. The more I get to know them, the less I think about age differences. They are adults, after all, fully capable of adult conversation and interaction. I stop seeing them as only pretty women and start seeing them as just who they are. And if I'm single, and they are single, well? Who wouldn't want to date them? "If only I was younger" is something I tell myself quite often. As much as the little devil on my shoulder tells me that they aren't my daughters, the little angel tries to keep me in check. So, I had to make a professional decision. How was I going to handle this attention from beautiful young women?
I came up with the idea of karaoke angels. They brighten my night and put a smile on my face. When I see one of my angels, I am happy. It's a different kind of love but just as rewarding. Thank you angels! You know who you are. You are a big part of why I love karaoke. And if I start sounding like the weird, creepy old guy, slap me. And, as much as I love you, just don't expect that you will automatically get bumped up in the rotation Sid out!
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Karaoke Pu**y
Tuesdays are my hip hop nights at karaoke. Hip Hop is not a euphemism for African-American even though the crowd is mostly black. As much as I would like to get into a discussion about race and racism in today's society, I think I'll save my pontificating for a future blog entry.
Hip hop nights follow a different formula from my other karaoke gigs. Usually, I have singer after singer requesting karaoke songs. On hip hop night, we welcome and promote original music along with karaoke. Thanks to the advent of modern technology, it's easy for someone to bring a music file on a flash drive or their phone which I can play while the person sings or raps. And if truth be told, Albany has got some talent!
On the poster publicizing my Tuesday night gig, it says Open Mic/Karaoke. Now the chances of someone seeing the poster who doesn't know it's hip hop night are slim, but as I was unloading my equipment last night, a scraggly youth with a guitar and a back pack asked me if there was going to be music. I told him there would be once I got set up, secretly hoping that he wouldn't stay. It's not that I don't appreciate guitar, and it's not that my show is Amateur Night at the Apollo where you can be booed off stage, but I didn't see anything good coming out of a performance by this kid. Maybe I just didn't want to hear some whiny song about how his girlfriend dumped him or why he doesn't get along with his parents. Am I stereotyping? In any event, he didn't return.
I did, however, have some open mic contestants. The first was a rapper who blew the crowd away. When he was done, I told him that we award 1-5 points based on three criteria - beats, rhymes and performance. We don't actually judge performers, but I thought I would ad lib some levity as a way to compliment him. I told him him that I could only award 14 out of a possible 15 points because his performance lacked a twerker. I laid the blame squarely on the women in attendance who watched but didn't dance even though the rap was totally twerkable. He was happy with my assessment, got a huge round of applause and we were all happily entertained.
Then, as I was playing some bumper music (that's the music I play in between singers), a woman approached me and asked if she could read a poem. She thought it was an open mic poetry night but still wanted to be included. I said, of course.
So, I called her up, shushed the crowd, and she began. "The name of my poem is 'Pussy.'" WHAT!? Pussy? She must have said "pussy" about 50 times during her poem. If you weren't thinking about pussy when you walked in, you were now. It was actually a pretty thoughtful poem focusing on the empowerment of women and how they shouldn't be defined solely by their pussy. Still, she used the word a lot.
Before she was done, I had already hatched a plan. I cued up 2 Live Crew's "Me So Horny." As soon as the poem was finished, I waited for the applause to subside and announced "I love Pussy (pregnant pause, pun intended), the Poem! I received my requisite rolling of the eyes when everyone realized what song I was playing. I added that I really do love pussy but that the poem was great too.
You would think that would be enough about pussy for one night but I wasn't finished. "Me love you long time." I followed 2 Live Crew with "Tapout" by Birdman featuring Nicki Minaj who sings about her million dollar pussy. On the mic, I admitted that Nicki Minaj has a million dollar pussy; because let's face it, if you don't have a million dollars, you ain't hittin' that. I added that if I am spending a million dollars on pussy, I'm not using a rubber. Sid out!
Hip hop nights follow a different formula from my other karaoke gigs. Usually, I have singer after singer requesting karaoke songs. On hip hop night, we welcome and promote original music along with karaoke. Thanks to the advent of modern technology, it's easy for someone to bring a music file on a flash drive or their phone which I can play while the person sings or raps. And if truth be told, Albany has got some talent!
On the poster publicizing my Tuesday night gig, it says Open Mic/Karaoke. Now the chances of someone seeing the poster who doesn't know it's hip hop night are slim, but as I was unloading my equipment last night, a scraggly youth with a guitar and a back pack asked me if there was going to be music. I told him there would be once I got set up, secretly hoping that he wouldn't stay. It's not that I don't appreciate guitar, and it's not that my show is Amateur Night at the Apollo where you can be booed off stage, but I didn't see anything good coming out of a performance by this kid. Maybe I just didn't want to hear some whiny song about how his girlfriend dumped him or why he doesn't get along with his parents. Am I stereotyping? In any event, he didn't return.
I did, however, have some open mic contestants. The first was a rapper who blew the crowd away. When he was done, I told him that we award 1-5 points based on three criteria - beats, rhymes and performance. We don't actually judge performers, but I thought I would ad lib some levity as a way to compliment him. I told him him that I could only award 14 out of a possible 15 points because his performance lacked a twerker. I laid the blame squarely on the women in attendance who watched but didn't dance even though the rap was totally twerkable. He was happy with my assessment, got a huge round of applause and we were all happily entertained.
Then, as I was playing some bumper music (that's the music I play in between singers), a woman approached me and asked if she could read a poem. She thought it was an open mic poetry night but still wanted to be included. I said, of course.
So, I called her up, shushed the crowd, and she began. "The name of my poem is 'Pussy.'" WHAT!? Pussy? She must have said "pussy" about 50 times during her poem. If you weren't thinking about pussy when you walked in, you were now. It was actually a pretty thoughtful poem focusing on the empowerment of women and how they shouldn't be defined solely by their pussy. Still, she used the word a lot.
Before she was done, I had already hatched a plan. I cued up 2 Live Crew's "Me So Horny." As soon as the poem was finished, I waited for the applause to subside and announced "I love Pussy (pregnant pause, pun intended), the Poem! I received my requisite rolling of the eyes when everyone realized what song I was playing. I added that I really do love pussy but that the poem was great too.
You would think that would be enough about pussy for one night but I wasn't finished. "Me love you long time." I followed 2 Live Crew with "Tapout" by Birdman featuring Nicki Minaj who sings about her million dollar pussy. On the mic, I admitted that Nicki Minaj has a million dollar pussy; because let's face it, if you don't have a million dollars, you ain't hittin' that. I added that if I am spending a million dollars on pussy, I'm not using a rubber. Sid out!
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Creepy!
There are literally thousands of karaoke songs from which to choose. When I first started singing karaoke, I remember sitting with the songbook and scanning page after page looking for songs I might be able to sing. The selection is daunting. I've seen people spend well over an hour looking for a song before choosing Journey's "Don't Stop Believing," one of the most requested karaoke songs of all-time. It's cute when the person handing me the request slip, adds: "You're gonna love it!"
As the DJ, you can learn a lot about people based on the songs they choose to sing. Of course, the primary thing you learn is a person's musical tastes, which sometimes can be quite revealing about who they are. Do they pick happy songs all the time? Dark, brooding ballads? Love songs? Sad love songs? Some people are adventurous with their selections, some play it safe. Some like whatever is popular on Top 40. In general, though, people pick songs with which they are familiar from high school or college. Therefore, the more diverse the crowd, the greater the variety of songs you'll hear. Personal taste aside, everyone (and their musical taste) is welcome at my show except for Neo-Nazis. I really can't stand Nazis or anyone else on the radar of the Southern Poverty Law Center.
However, there is one song which always leaves me scratching my head - "Creep" by Radiohead. Let me say this first. It's a great song. It's also very hard to sing. There is an extremely high part which only very good singers should attempt. That being said, I don't really care which song a person chooses. Karaoke is not necessarily about great singing. It's something to do at a bar for fun, even if some people take their singing way too seriously. Some people play pool, some shoot darts, some sing. As long as everyone is having a good time, I am happy.
What makes we wonder about "Creep" is why so many people identify with it. And to be truthful, I love the song too. But why do people seemingly identify with the lyrics - "I'm a creep, I'm a weirdo. What the hell am I doing here? I don't belong here?" When someone sings it, people sing along - with fervor. Are we really that dysfunctional as a society? Are we all so lonely and feeling weird?
Another great thing about karaoke is that it allows people to work through their emotions. Did you just go through a break up? Sing a sad love song. Get a new job? Sing something happy. But what are you feeling when you sing "Creep?"
Here are some possibilities: 1) You just like the song for its own sake, you're a great singer and you can nail it; 2) you are down in the dumps for whatever reason and feeling lonely; 3) you're a creep; 4) you're a weirdo, or; 5) you're a serial killer.
I've actually had some marginally creepy people sing this song over the years. Creeped me out, anyway. So if you're creepy and asking what the hell you're doing in public, maybe you should leave and get some serious help. Just saying.
As the DJ, you can learn a lot about people based on the songs they choose to sing. Of course, the primary thing you learn is a person's musical tastes, which sometimes can be quite revealing about who they are. Do they pick happy songs all the time? Dark, brooding ballads? Love songs? Sad love songs? Some people are adventurous with their selections, some play it safe. Some like whatever is popular on Top 40. In general, though, people pick songs with which they are familiar from high school or college. Therefore, the more diverse the crowd, the greater the variety of songs you'll hear. Personal taste aside, everyone (and their musical taste) is welcome at my show except for Neo-Nazis. I really can't stand Nazis or anyone else on the radar of the Southern Poverty Law Center.
However, there is one song which always leaves me scratching my head - "Creep" by Radiohead. Let me say this first. It's a great song. It's also very hard to sing. There is an extremely high part which only very good singers should attempt. That being said, I don't really care which song a person chooses. Karaoke is not necessarily about great singing. It's something to do at a bar for fun, even if some people take their singing way too seriously. Some people play pool, some shoot darts, some sing. As long as everyone is having a good time, I am happy.
What makes we wonder about "Creep" is why so many people identify with it. And to be truthful, I love the song too. But why do people seemingly identify with the lyrics - "I'm a creep, I'm a weirdo. What the hell am I doing here? I don't belong here?" When someone sings it, people sing along - with fervor. Are we really that dysfunctional as a society? Are we all so lonely and feeling weird?
Another great thing about karaoke is that it allows people to work through their emotions. Did you just go through a break up? Sing a sad love song. Get a new job? Sing something happy. But what are you feeling when you sing "Creep?"
Here are some possibilities: 1) You just like the song for its own sake, you're a great singer and you can nail it; 2) you are down in the dumps for whatever reason and feeling lonely; 3) you're a creep; 4) you're a weirdo, or; 5) you're a serial killer.
I've actually had some marginally creepy people sing this song over the years. Creeped me out, anyway. So if you're creepy and asking what the hell you're doing in public, maybe you should leave and get some serious help. Just saying.
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