How to win friends and influence Lip Sync contests
January 3, 2017 2:33 PM   Subscribe

We are new to town and we have been invited to a new friends' lip sync party - yay! We want to do a good job so everyone knows what amazing friends we could be (kidding not kidding). What song should we do (one cis guy, one cis girl, um, one 20-month old toddler). Details inside!

Our ideas about what constitutes a good lip sync are: short-ish song (we could edit a good one if it's too long), funny, involves our toddler but does not require him to do any specific thing at any specific time, is family-friendly, is THE MOST AMAZING THING EVER. We are willing to dress up or build props or anything.

We are white, also we are new to this group and people don't know our (trans-inclusive, gender flexible) communities and politics yet, so we are probably not interested in going in drag lest our intentions be misread.

Any ideas? We thought of "mmanumanum" (that muppets song) but, like, it's not
That great without an incredible plot line to the song.

Please help! Thank you!
posted by andreapandrea to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (12 answers total)
 
Talking Heads - "Stay Up Late"

Perhaps a bit literal, but it's unique and definitely incorporates a wee person.
posted by daikaisho at 2:53 PM on January 3, 2017 [3 favorites]


Flying Purple People Eater? Short, has funny voices, and the opportunity to sail your 20-month-old around acting like a monster.
posted by Mchelly at 3:18 PM on January 3, 2017


Agadoo, with actions. Even a little one running around and doing funny attempts at the dance would be cute.

Songs that are lip sync impressive are ones with lots of words and/or high emotion, but they don't tend to be the funny ones.
posted by Youremyworld at 5:41 PM on January 3, 2017


Seconding "Stay up Late". Such a fun song to sing when your first child is still a baby.

But, I don't think anybody sings this to subsequent babies.
posted by she's not there at 5:41 PM on January 3, 2017


Maybe too old fogey for you, but the Sonny and Cher Show used to bring their tot on stage with them. So, an old Sonny and Cher piece?
posted by Michele in California at 5:50 PM on January 3, 2017 [1 favorite]


If you could possibly teach your toddler to speak on cue, do a song that actually has him involved. (Or her, not sure which it is.) But something like "how bizarre" or "unbelievable" or "hip to be square" or anything that has a lead-in to a key phrase that your toddler could speak on cue would be hilarious.
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 6:57 PM on January 3, 2017


The key to making this work is brevity (as you noted) and surprise. How about dressing up the kid in a mask and a cape, and performing "The Phantom of the Opera"? It's a ridiculously over-the-top song with a story that encourages theatrical overacting. And who could resist a 20-month-old Phantom menacing Christine?
posted by roger ackroyd at 7:58 PM on January 3, 2017


Labyrinth soundtrack has that song... "You remind me of the babe. What babe? The babe with power..."

Magic Dance, that's what its called!
posted by WalkerWestridge at 9:06 PM on January 3, 2017


The funniest "lip sync" I ever saw was to the song "Wipeout" by The Surfaris. No words, just a silly go-go dance during the repetitive guitar riff. Just when people are all whatthehellisthis, you hit the drum break, throw up your shirts, and rock that solo by pounding on your bellies. Repeat for each verse. Enjoy your new friends who think you are hysterically fun people.

I don't recall where I saw this so you might want to google it to make sure it's not like a famous Gong Show bit or something.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 3:27 AM on January 4, 2017 [1 favorite]


Actually, now that I think of it, at the drum break, I'd fall to my knees and have your child play drums on your belly while you go crazy!

You could have a lot of fun with props on this too -- sunglasses, zinc oxide on the nose, surfboards, etc
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 3:32 AM on January 4, 2017


Another old fogeyish suggestion: Don't Go Breaking My Heart. The video in the link is basically Elton John and Kiki Dee lip synching it.
posted by Dolley at 4:14 PM on January 4, 2017


Love Shack by The B-52s popped into my head immediately -- fun and bouncy song, inclusive, male and female parts, lots of opportunity for taking performance wherever you want it to go and involve others.
posted by raider at 5:21 PM on January 4, 2017


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