Karaoke is known as a rip-roaring, ear-splitting good time. Whether you’re talented like Whitney Houston or skilled like Weird Al Yankovic, there’s something exhilarating about getting up on stage, grabbing a plastic microphone and belting out your favorite song.
Do find a good venue. The first step is to research a bar in the area. South Florida’s Singing Machine Co., and Southport Raw Bar have received great reviews.
Do plan to be safe. It’s best to start the night with a designated driver. I enjoyed one memorable night of karoake in NYC, but we made sure to have someone who wouldn’t get too wild. You need to have a person who can remember your home address for the cab driver.
Do choose the right song. The highlight of the night. Your turn. In your enthusiasm, don’t forget to turn the microphone on. The whole point is for the crowd to hear your talented, or not-so-talented voice.
The rule of choosing a song: if you’re the rare person who is genuinely talented, sure, go for the songs that highlight your vocal talents. But if you’re the more common screeching banshee that couldn’t hit the proper note if your life depended on it, don’t play it safe.
I’ve found the most fun to be had is in singing a raunchy, no-holds-barred song to really get the crowd going. Don’t go for the over-done, Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing.” Go for the crass and oh-so-vulgar Bloodhound Gang’s “A Lap Dance is so Much Better When the Stripper is Crying.”
I’ve never gotten as many cheers as when I sang Bloodhound Gang’s “You’re Pretty When I’m Drunk.”
Do have fun. At the end of the night, the most important thing to remember is: have fun. Give it a shot. Don’t get embarrassed. Oh, and if weren’t able to find a designated driver and have to take a taxi home, make sure to write your home address on a piece of paper to give to the cabby.
