Going back on track: KARAOKE TIME!

And so we’re back to regular programming, if there was any of you who ever noticed that we were on hiatus to begin with. Anyway, bear with me as I try to keep myself focused with the task on hand.

Soc and I have been busy with quite a few things these past few months, running around the Metro and getting sloshed left and right, whining about the post-mid 20s life, and just questioning life like what most people our age do. So, we try to find effective means of de-stressing, and one of those is going to the karaoke.

Yep.

KARAOKE.

These lights mean heaven. (Or hell, depending on your preference.)

We have recently rekindled our love affair with this wonderful Japanese invention and we can’t get enough of it. Well, honestly, me more than her but who the hell cares at this point. We’re addicted and our poor throats have been paying dearly for it. No matter what, we forge on, and sing like there’s no tomorrow.

God bless the Japanese.

Forget about the images of karaoke that American TV shows and movies have shown, it’s really not like that. It just gets annoying when the neighbours insist on continuing their party up until 4 in the morning, and you really need to get a good night’s sleep because you have an important presentation the  next day.*Ehem* Not that I have experienced something like that and went crazy. I live in the suburbs and we have rules for that.

As I was saying, American shows have some kind of ruined the image of karaoke for a lot of people. Here in Asia, we have rooms for that ̶ complete with packaged group meals and overpriced alcohol. We don’t go harassing people with our exquisite voices; we only harass our friends with it.

Karaoke addict's wet dream.

So when Soc brought up the idea of giving our recommended karaoke songs, I was all on board with that idea but, I have a sneaking suspicion that she just wants a ready set list for when we invade the smelly rooms of our favourite place. And before I go off tangent again, here’s my 5 selection of must-sing songs in the karaoke:

Magnificoooooo-ooo-ooo-oo-o

Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody – It’s an obvious choice, isn’t it? It’s a good karaoke song, not only because it’s 6 minutes long (which makes the 5-peso token so worth it), it’s something that everybody in the room can sing. Who doesn’t want a real sing-along in the karaoke?

By the shape of her mouth, she's on the love you part already. God, I love this song.

Whitney Houston’s I Will Always Love You – Now, I’m not jumping on any bandwagon here, I’ve always been singing this song in the karaoke because it’s a song that just needs to be sang. It’s powerful, it’s high, it’s majestic, and it guarantees a full blown sore throat the next day. I love this song.

Don't you just love the internet? Power of Love screencaps! Woot!

Celine Dion’s Power of Love – When there’s Whitney, Celine must also be, and when speaking about powerful songs, this song can’t be left behind. It should also be sung, complete with knee bends and strong arm movements.

Ah, those were the days.

Bon Jovi’s Livin' on a Prayer – Ah, the spirit of fun, friendship, and youth. This song is meant to be sung when you’re on your 5^thbottle of beer and you begin to love everybody in the room. It’s guaranteed effective to make people reminisce about summer days and thinking of having road trips.

You can just feel the saxophone shooting out of his eyes. Rawr.

George Michael’s Careless Whisper – Before it became the soundtrack to that unfortunate sex tape, this song is a double must-sing in the karaoke. That saxophone oh, that smooth, smooth saxophone. You know that this is definitely everybody’s jam.

- Tula

Singing. It's in the Filipino blood, they say. Which worries me as I somehow feel expected to churn out talented kids regardless of circumstance or simply, musical history. As you may not know, I have none. Nor do I, in our household, practice singing with a Magic Sing mic. I do manage to be updated on the hottest karaoke numbers at the moment though, thanks to our neighbors, who are always seem compelled to celebrate birthdays, weddings, anniversaries of their friend's friend's friend via a sing-along at every given night.

Never was really a talent-talent show but, a singing contest. We loooove our singing. 

Having said that, I do enjoy the occasional trip to the videoke bar with friends. If it were up to me, I would dare not tackle Whitney, Mariah and Heart--those are reserved to be sung to myself, preferably in the bathroom--let's just say I'm at my best in my lower register.*ahem*


Don't get me wrong, I totally get it. In a room full of people, food and alcohol, these types of songs tend to bring the ecclectic group closer and before you know it, everyone's screaming the words along there with you, which really should be the purpose of karaoke sessions among friends, let alone strangers. Otherwise, there will be no High School Musical.


So here are a few tunes that I think have been a staple for purposes of celebration, breaking of the ice, or our natural tendency to break into a song every time.

You know you watched this over & over again for that cleavage.

Say A Little Prayer by Diana King - Popularized by the movie My Best Friend's Wedding. It's become an anthem at weddings, birthdays and showers by people who'd rather sing their well wishes than just say it. Better if there's actual clapping involved.

I just had to use it, you know.

We Are The Champions by Queen - This usually comes in later in the night when everyone's  already drunk and willing enough to stand up, put their arms over one another's shoulders and sway altogether as one unit. Better if someone's holding his/her fist up; best if they actually are champions at something.

More than 10 years ago and still owning your pop star's ass. 

(Wallpaper not ours, we found it over Google. Cr. to owner)

Wannabe by Spice Girls - It's been proven time and time again that whether or not you were into the whole "Girl Power" thing, when you sing this, IT IS ALL ABOUT THE WHOLE "GIRL POWER" THING.

That is not Huey Lewis, by the way.

Cruisin' by Gwyneth and Huey Lewis- Somehow, it's become a favorite among couples. It has a good melody, is easier to sing and for some reason, girls just end up holding the mic the way Gwyneth Paltrow did in the music video.

I would've put in a better photo but Google is giving me emo pictures of lonely hearts. 

Alone by Heart - Do I even have to explain myself? --that's the song asking, not me.


- Soc