Experiences Guide to Karaoke
Everything You Need to Know about America’s Favorite Japanese Pastime
Karaoke (カラオケ) is a compound of “karappo” (empty) and "okesutura” (orchestra). Rumor has it, this wonderful Japanese invention first originated at a snack bar in Kobe City, Japan. According to legend, a guitarist was unable to turn up for a bar gig due to illness, so the rather innovative bar proprietor prepared tapes of accompaniment recordings on the fly, and invited vocalists to sing along to the tapes. It was since commercialized and became popular throughout Japan, spreading to Korea and China, Europe, and as we well know here in New York, the U.S. of A.
Now, every seasoned karaoke participant has their personal go-to. (In Japan, we like to call that a jūhachiban). For some close personal friends of the Experiences team, that particular number happens to be the Rolling Stones’ “Beast of Burden,” or the Fugees “Killing Me Softly,” or Peggy Lee’s “Fever.” Below those among us who aren’t as seasoned at this popular New York bar sport, 1. We have something for the ladies: Check out this girls-only karaoke event coming up at Radio Star, and 2. See below for some karaoke classics. Who knows — you could find your next jūhachiban.
Crowd-pleasing everybody-joins-in numbers:
The Turtles: “Happy Together” Bon Jovi: “Livin’ On A Prayer” Wham: “Wake Me Up Before you Go-Go” Elton John: “Tiny Dancer” Jackson Five: “ABC”
Dude go-tos:
Journey: “Don’t Stop Believing” Lynyrd Skynyrd: “Sweet Home Alabama” Neil Diamond: “Sweet Caroline” The Eagles: “Hotel California”
Ladies night out:
Cyndi Lauper: “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” The Weathergirls “It's Raining Men” Lesley Gore: “You Don’t Own Me” Aretha Franklin: “Respect” Dusty Springfield: “Son of a Preacher Man”
Unleash your inner rapper:
Alicia Keys + Jay-Z: “Empire State of Mind” Vanilla Ice: “Ice Ice Baby”
Don’t be afraid to get awkward:
Marvin Gaye: “Sexual Healing” The Divinyls: “I Touch Myself”
You can’t sing, but it’s cool:
Britney Spears: “Hit Me Baby One More Time” Right Said Fred: “I'm Too Sexy” Guns n’ Roses: “Sweet Child of Mine”
You are secretly AMAZING at this and FINALLY, THIS is your MOMENT:
Ladies – Bonnie Tyler: “Total Eclipse of the Heart” Ladies – Roxette: “Must Have Been Love” Guys – Poison: “Every Rose Has its Thorn” Guys – Aerosmith: “Crazy”
You’re trying to annoy everyone in the room:
One Direction: “Beautiful” Celine Dion: “My Heart Will Go On” Hanson: “Mmm Bop”
Holler at us on Facebook and nominate your own!