“Always keep a song in your heart; it’s like karaoke for the voices in your head.” — Robert Fulton Abernethy
My life is full of embarrassing singing moments. For example:
Driving with Blue and singing “Angel” by Sarah McLaughlan:
Arjewtino: “In the arms of the angel…”
Blue: “You sound really good.”
Arjewtino: “Really?”
Blue: “No, shut up.”
At an LA Kings-Winnipeg Jets hockey game, singing the Canadian National Anthem:
Arjewtino: “Oh Canada, our home and native land…”
Biker dude standing next to me: “Are you Canadian?”
Arjewtino: “No.”
Biker dude standing next to me: “Then shut up.”
While at a karaoke party at B-Fo’s and Dr. Vargas’ house, singing Bon Jovi’s “Living on a Prayer”:
Arjewtino: “Whoah-oh! Living on a prayer…! Wow, I don’t think I hit that note.”
B-Fo: “No, you really didn’t.”
The truth is, I love to sing. In the shower, in the car, at work. Whenever I wash the dishes, I rock out extreme-karaoke-style (inspired by ) on The Princess’ IPod. This is usually followed by The Princess reminding me that her ears are bleeding.
So there really was no doubt about going to the last Friday night at Peyote Café. The only decision was choosing the right song. Did I want to bring the bar to tears with my soothing rendition of “Desperado”? Did I want to get all Jewey on everyone with a fun “Hava Nagila” performance? Or did I want to test my pipes by singing Pearl Jam’s guttural “Jeremy”? So many options.
Singing, much like dancing, is an activity that makes us all feel good. This act of creating harmonic sound relieves stress and has been shown to minimize physical pain.
When I visited Japan last year, I took advantage of its ubiquitous karaoke booths, where rentals were cheap, drinks were free, and privacy was ensured. Though Peyote Café didn’t provide any reserved rooms, the support of so many friends, bloggers, and blog fans Friday night ensured a fun time.
I ended up singing “Holiday” by Green Day and managed to stay in tune (I think) for most of the song. wept. etcetera nearly passed out. Of course, I have to thank Average Jane, , and Freckled K for being the first brave ones to get up on the mic, which inspired many more to follow.
Thanks for hosting, I-66, and for serenading us all with Young MC’s “Bust a Move” before heading off to retirement.
Next time try singing it to the extreme.
My ass is not bruised, contrary to popular belief.
I don’t want… anybody else…
Wait. Where were we again?
Was that the prevailing rumor? I must have missed it.
What about our singing at the bar after kickball? haha
That was ungodly and should never be repeated.
You’re just jealous that I took K’s suggestion and sang it.
We need to do the glam rock karaoke at Reef.
Wait until my hair gets longer.
I’m so gonna sing Kiss Me Deadly. If I had thought of that earlier, I would have done it on Friday.
I wish they had “Jesus Take the Wheel.” Only thing better than two white girls rapping would be a Jew singing Gospel.
Can’t. Believe. I didn’t think of that. Next time, it’ll be our Jewet.
Prevailing rumor: Arjewtino’s open-handed assault on my ass was damaging.
Oh yeah…! In my defense, you had it coming.
i66 - The prevailing rumor around here is that you liked it.
AJ: The other prevailing rumor around is that you wanted to be the one doing the smacking.
I think you all should cut an album.
A record album? I don’t know; I keep hearing this CD craze is going to get big.
We are all terribly, terribly gay (not that there’s anything wrong with that).
I want a copy of that kick-ass polaroid.
Which one?
I so loved “Bust A Move.” I was cracking up so hard.
I have to admit that you held the tune pretty well for your song, ArJew. I think everyone was surprised.
I’m going to ditto Michelle. ^_~
Thanks, you really never know if you’re in tune, especially after many beers and whiskey shots.
I love your voice Ivanka! I still think you do the best “All the Small Things” of anyone I know….Rock on. Did I really make your blog two weeks in a row? Damn. Now I feel important.
You’ve always been important…only now more so.
LoLLERS! You sing good.
Didn’t we agree at the blog happy hour that everyone would put this at the bottom of every post in fine print?
Statement of Audience
———————
I realize that nothing I say matters to anyone else on the entire planet. My opinions are useless and unfocused. I am an expert in nothing. I know
nothing. I am confused about almost everything. I cannot, as an individual, ever possibly know everything, or even enough to make editorial
commentary on the vast vast majority of things that exist in my world. This is a stupid document; it is meaningless drivel that I do not expect
any of the several billion people on my planet to actually read. People who do read my rambling, incoherent dumbfuckery are probably just as confused as I am, if not moreso, as they are looking to my sorry ass for an opinion when
they should be outside playing Frisbee with their dog or screwing their life partner or getting a dog or getting a life partner.
You are now officially a blogger, GoPats. Here’s why: I sent you that because I found it amusing and knew you would, too. You KNEW that I had read it, so there was no need to post it in the comments for ME to read. You obviously take great joy in being funny/entertaining/a jackass to my readers, which means you are writing your silly little diatribes for THEM. This effectively makes you Someone With Something to Say Online to the General Public: a blogger.
Shhhh…read this.
http://www.losanjealous.com/nfc/perm.php?c=33&q=79
Not bad, but reminds me of Joe Mathlete’s Marmaduke Explained.
That was a truly amazing rendition of Holiday. A for effort.
My favorite part was hearing the whole bar sing the “Amen!” part. Beautiful harmony.
Statement of Audience Pt. II
I’m the asshole. You all sing like angels.
Randy Moss !
I was more than a little impressed. We’ll start a band…you can be the singer with mystique, and I’ll be the good looking guitar player. (A little Cameron Crowe…)
What would our band’s name be? INPYtino sounds a bit too forced. So does ArjewNPY.
When I tell people what we all did on Friday, the typical response has been “So it’s not enough to just write about your feelings on the Internet?”
And it was so great to finally meet you, too!
Here’s what you tell them: “Of course not. We need face-to-face validation, too.”
FK, I’ve got a scan of that picture we took on my Facebook. If you’re not on there, I should have it up on my Flickr sometime soon (as in this week, probably). Whenever I can find the time. I don’t know why I didn’t put it up there when I put it up on my Fb. Guess I’m just that lazy. x_x
To which photo are you referring?
“I Touch Myself” is one of the best songs to karaoke to. Everybody sounds good when they sing it!
I miss Japanese karaoke like crazy. Sigh.
We could take care of that in a year-and-a-half, babe.
Nice running into you, good sir. And yes, we are all black holes of validation.
Indeed. Good day, sir.
Gen and I were referring to a photo the three of us took toward the end of the night. Twas flattering to all.
I’m still kinda bummed you didn’t sing Fergilicious.
Is that is a song request for next time, you might just get lucky.
Surefire karaoke hits if you can’t sing:
1. Anything by Bobby Brown, especially “Don’t Be Cruel” or “My Prerogative”
2. Disco hits such as “Play that Funky Music” and “Boogie Oogie Oogie”
3. “Kiss” by Prince (I have heard several tone-deaf guys do this song and they did an awesome job; the secret is to talk through it and distract the audience with seductive moves.)
And remember, the later you sing in the rotation, the better you sound to everyone.
Moxie, the karaoke whore on the left coast.
You are assuming I have seductive moves, let alone ANY moves. I stood completely still during the song…for the sake of the audience.
I think we’re ALL bummed no guy sang Fergilicious.
Hells yes, I’m talking about that one. All (3 or 4) HH pictures are now up on my Flickr. Yup. You kids allll know you wanna check out blurry pictures of alcohol, metro benches, oh and a blogger or 2. Or 3. :]
I’ll check it out soon…
I am kicking myself. Truly kicking myself for not attending. Damn Beirut tourney.
You only have yourself to blame.
one time, long ago, i actually did sing “i touch myself” at a karaoke. it was a smash hit.
might i also recommend Billy Idol’s Dancin’ with Myself. totally drives them wild.
I think any chick who sings that Divinyls song pretty much cements herself as hot.
I sang “I Touch Myself” at karaoke with my friends a couple months ago, to lots of applause. When I got back to the table, one of my friends said that he will never be able to look at me the same way again. Is that a good thing or a bad thing?
That’s a great thing for you because, notwithstanding the dynamic of your relationship pre-Divinyls, you now have all the power in your “friendship”. You tell him to go make you a sandwhich, he will; you tell him to wash your car, he will. Because in his mind he is thinking, “If I do whatever she asks, maybe someday she’ll let me see her sing that song again.”
Why do we (men) love to sing SOOOO much and the women in our lives hate us to sing SOOOO much more? Roger Miller be praised!
The Princess loves it when I sing in tune. When I can’t hear my voice and sound like a dying whale? Not so much.
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