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To all the songs I've massacred

Last Friday I met up with Todd for a night of karaoke. I had not done karaoke in at least a year; I think the last time I did it was a rather melodramatic version of Bonnie Tyler's melodramatic song, "Total Eclipse of the Heart." I think I ripped up my voice when I did it, so I wanted to take things easy this time.

Going with the rather safe choice (for me) of Barry Manilow's "Copacabana," I didn't rip up my voice. I had fun and plenty of people danced. Plenty of others who weren't dancing took pictures of my rather amusing dance moves during the extended conga break.

Not every run at karaoke has been fun, and whenever I botch a song, it kind of taints it for me for a while. Here's a rundown, along with witnesses to back up my claims:

"Fooled Around and Fell In Love" by Elvin Bishop
Witness(es)? Matt, Chris, and Tim.
How bad was it? Really bad. Shortly into it, I realized Mickey Thomas's vocals were way out of my range. The usually melodic, bluesy chorus got a major slaughtering.

"It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" by R.E.M.
Witnesses? Matt, Chris, and Tim
How bad was it? Not really bad, but I did go to the chorus too soon after the first verse. I didn't make the same mistake the next time I did the song. It was the beginning of the tipoff that I do better with songs where I talk more than sing. I usually look for this song in the list, along with Billy Joel's "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant."

"Daydream Believer" by the Monkees
Witness(es)? Nick
How bad was it? Well, it wasn't really karaoke, but it was goofing around at a frat party. I fudged some of the lyrics and couldn't carry a tune. It was a tipoff that I can't sing.

Comments

Chris said…
"Fooled Around and Fell In Love" - may have been bad, but fun none-the-less.

"It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" - I actually don't remember that being bad at all.

I always feel that the karoke people change the songs just slightly to throw people off anyway.
10:06 PM
Todd Carruth said…
Well, I know the Barry Manilow choice was done tongue-in-cheek but I am forever thankful in your song choice since I was able to successfully procure a phone number from one of the girls that I danced with during your tribute.
9:59 AM
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