Avoid Embarrassment at Karaoke
Tips for Surviving Bar Sing-Along Sessions
This article offers some quick advice about how to make it through a karaoke song if you're afraid to take the stage but your friends force you up there.
So, your friends are forcing you to go attend karaoke, which is fine, except that they’re also forcing you to sing. And, let me guess, you’re neither Sinatra nor Streisand? Fret not. Follow these simple steps to avoid utter embarrassment.
1. Sing a Simple Song
Go in prepared with a couple of really easy to sing numbers, even if they’re songs you don’t like. While “Sweet Child o’ Mine” might be a fun song in its own right, it’s a hard sell to the sometimes unforgiving karaoke crowd. Easier stuff, like “Proud Mary,” (think John Fogherty, not Tina Turner) will come off better. Additionally, you may really think it’s cool that they have that Bob Seger song that only you know in the karaoke book, but people would prefer to hear songs they know as well (provided you don’t completely slaughter them). Also, look for songs where the singers don’t do much actual singing, or aren’t very good singers to begin with (a lot of punk songs fit the mold here).
2. Sing with a Friend
Hopefully, your friends will join you onstage to share in the mortification. The more the merrier rule applies here, as the more people that sing, the less seems to be expected of any of them in the karaoke crowd. This works good for big sing-along songs like “Mony Mony,” “I Love Rock and Roll” and “Livin on a Prayer.” However, try to avoid songs with multiple parts that you’d have to split up (Grease’s “You’re the One That I Want” or “Bohemian Rhapsody,” as the margin for error is high.
3. Sing Later in the Evening
Karaoke nights generally happen at bars, and bars sell alcohol. Thus, after people have had a few drinks, their critical palette may be softened some, and they’re probably paying less attention to who’s onstage. Be forewarned that this can backfire, as people may choose not to tactfully reserve their comments if you’re especially bad.
4. Know the Lyrics
Yeah, the whole point of karaoke is they have the lyrics there for you, but that should be used as a backup. Already knowing the lyrics is a huge plus, as you may still find yourself looking at the screen, but at least you already know what’s coming. Also, songs without many lyrics, or songs that are sung slowly, are a huge plus. Don’t get up and try to do “It’s the End of the World as We Know It,” as ye shall fail.
5. Don’t Take it Seriously
Karaoke is, by nature, not a very serious activity. Those that do take it seriously are, in fact, the problem, as the songs are supposed to be sung by un-professionals. Yes, you will hear a standout performance every once in a while (and cringe if you’re next in line), but unless it’s a competition, usually the people with the really good pipes are trying to use them professionally, and not to impress karaoke goers at a bar. If you stick to an easy song, you should sound about average, and that’s all anyone is looking for. If you get booed, remember that the people booing are in the same spot as you, and they probably can’t sing a whole lot better. If they can, then they’re the ones wasting time in a karaoke bar.
