Karaoke rekap

Last night I went karaokeing with some old friends (including a member of erstwhile BQT regulars the Wandering Jews). We did it right—small, cozy group, renting a private room at a crazy Japanese place. Good times, great oldies.

I sang a total of seven songs, taking a chance : all tunes I had never before attempted (well, save for one; see below). The lineup:

"Spinning Wheel" by Blood, Sweat and Tears: Through osmosis (and my brief career in collegiate a cappella), I know just about every word. That Blood, Sweat and Tears lead singer is very easy to imitate. I kept on the bouncy theme with…

"Friday on My Mind" by the Easybeats: One of my favorite overlooked '60s hits. I had a little trouble hitting the notes on the chorus, but it's got a nice, jaunty rhythm that makes it fun to chant your way through. But I was ready to rock, so I lept into…

"When the Sun Goes Down" by Arctic Monkeys: Awesome, awesome, awesome. The shifting rhythm, the funny lyrics. You know you have a winner when everyone in the room digs it even though they've never heard it before. Time for a ballad…

"Sister Golden Hair" by America: Cheesy, but pleasantly affecting. Reminds me of an old girlfriend, who had golden hair and was somene's sister, so it got me sentimental. But I shifted back into rocking with…

"Walking Contradiction" by Green Day: I had no idea what those words were before. Weird vocal rhythm. Fun, but deceptively challenging. Then I once again plumbed the depths of sadness with…

"Across the Sea" by Weezer: Ridiculously depressing tune, but isn't all Weezer? Especially since it's about a relationship made impossible because of long distance, which happens to be a tender topic with me these days. But to finish I went with…

"We Are the World" by USA for Africa: Yes, indeed. This one I've sung once before, successively imitating the various pop stars who sang it the first time (I do a sweet James Ingram). My friends commenting that my rendition was both entertaining and educational, but I don't think I'll be doing it again; you get very lost and tired after a while, due to that drawn-out ending (I can't keep straight which part is Dylan, which is Ray Charles, which is Stevie…).

All in all, I'm a star. Don't forget how lucky you are to be my dedicated fan.