Don't Worry That It's Not Good Enough, for anyone else to hear...

[offbalance]

Tonight, j_bkl will be going to Live Band Karaoke. I've heard of the various live karaokes over the years, but the first time I'm going. (The whole thing boggles my mind, as karaoke means empty orchestra, and by having a live band this negates...nevermind.)

My actual problem is that I don't know what to sing. I've done more than my fair share of karaoke over the years. And I've noticed a small issue.

The songs that usually work for me are mid-range and mid-tempo, generally. My standard song for ages was Carly Simon's "You're So Vain," but I've also had success with songs like Olivia Newton-John's "Magic," Todd Rundgren's "I saw the Light," "Last Night I didn't get to sleep at all" By the Fifth Dimension, several Amy Winehouse songs, Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire," "(Mamas, Don't Let your babies grow up to be) Cowboys" (which is usually best done with whtegrlwthehair). The only problem is, well, most of my songs are not fast, uptempo stuff. I've tried to do Britney (better to dance to), Benetar (that woman had pipes that I do not have) and Beyonce (ow.) Anne Wilson of Heart had opera-level range. I do not. I doubt I even have "Night at the Opera" range. I could barely manage the Spice Girls, for pete's sake! One of the biggest problems I had at one of the places I used to go for karaoke is that I'd be surrounded by people doing (really good) versions of Journey, Skid Row, Crue, Bon Jovi, and the like. I've never felt more lite-fm than I did getting up to sing "Magic" after someone ripped through a rocking version of "Ain't Nothing But a Good Time."

Plus, having never done live band, I don't know they provide lyrics or if I actually have to know these lyrics. I mean, I know "You're So Vain" blindfolded, but I'm getting a wee bit bored. I want to have something prepared in case I don't get to hunt through a book. Queen's "Somebody to Love" is fine except for the parts where Eddie Mercury would get fancy. I'd love to do Scissor Sisters, but that's a no go if I have no lyrics to read off of.

Can anyone recommend something uptempo, mid-range, and recent-ish (that was not the debut single of anyone involved in High School Musical or American Idol)?

Comments

"O Sweet Mystery of Life. . . ." aria

[shalanna.livejournal.com]

I feel qualified to comment here, as "Last Night (I Didn't Get to Sleep at All)" is one of my standards to sing--anywhere. It is one of the few 5th Dimension/Marilyn McCoo tunes that is in my range, for one thing.

"Moon River" was specifically written to fit Audrey Hepburn's limited range, so it's another of my standards, IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS.

BUT you wanted something more rocky. Um, and you said recent-ish. THAT is where I'll fail, I suppose.

Hmm. I also do "Precious and Few" by Climaxx Blues Band, but that's another ballad. Wait! How about the Beatles' cover of "Twist and Shout"? That will get them going, just as it did in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off." Or "Losing My Religion," but only the R. E. M. version (it'll be in your range if "LNIDGtSaA" is).

This wasn't any help. But it looks as if we have a similar vocal range.

[surpassed.livejournal.com]

i don't know how it is over yonder, but at the live band karaoke i've been to in chicago, they give you a sheet with the lyrics a little bit ahead of time. obviously as with all karaoke, it still helps to know the words, but there is that.

[blergeatkitty.livejournal.com]

"Sweet Escape" (and, actually, most Gwen Stefani) is very mid-range. There are some tricky rhythmic things in there but overall pretty easy. (The No Doubt cover of "It's My Life" is pretty easy too.)

I've been sitting on "Heaven is a Place on Earth" for the next time I do karaoke, whenever that happens to be. You can borrow it with the understanding that I call dibs on it next time we're out karaokeing together. :)