I always kill at karaoke. I have the kind of voice that is great if I’m singing along to something, but not good for much else. So when I saw an ad for “live band” karaoke, I figured I had found my calling.
Live band karaoke is pretty much exactly what it sounds like. It’s karaoke, but instead of performing onstage with a backing track, you perform on stage in front of a live band. Which sounds awesome... right?
The song options weren’t as extensive at most karaoke bars because it had to be a song the band knew how to play. I chose the song Jack & Diane by John Mellencamp.
When it came my turn to sing I noticed something. There was no teleprompter. They handed me the lyrics on a sheet of paper. That seemed okay, until the band started. Then suddenly I realized I didn’t really know Jack & Diane THAT well. I had no idea when the vocals were supposed to come in.
The band started playing, and then just kept playing, and kept playing... The guitarist gave me a look that seemed to say “ummm.... you know you’re supposed to do the singing part, right?”
Finally I just started singing.
Little ditty about Jack and Diane.
The guitarist furiously shook his head. I skipped ahead.
Suckin' on chili dogs outside the tastee freeze.
He shook his head again. Which led to this conversation, on a stage, into a microphone, in front of a bar full of people.
“No? Okay, ummm, how about... Let's run off behind a shady trees? Still no? Let me do what I please? Wait, wait, I think I got it. This is the chorus right? Oh yeah, life goes on. Long after the thrill of livin' is gone. Nope, nope. I missed it again. Can we start over?”
It was the longest four minutes and sixteen seconds of my life.
Finally the song ended. I had probably gotten a total of six words right. I quickly bowed and jumped off stage. The guitarist wiped sweat off his face.
“That was Jessie everybody. Jessie.”
There was some uncomfortable, scattered applause. I left the bar in shame. I guess I’m still looking for my calling.
Here’s my confidence level before the song started. I’m lip synching along to Umbrella as the band tunes up:
Here’s me trying to figure out when I’m supposed to start singing:
Here’s me staring at the lyrics with panic, while getting the words wrong once again. The guitar player looks concerned:
Notice the clenched fist of anxiety:
And, finally, notice me give up on the lyrics sheet, and any possibility of retaining my dignity, and just sort of humming along: