Seeking karaoke recommendations
October 6, 2022 5:31 AM Subscribe
I have a karaoke night coming up. I’m not a great singer, but it will be among friends and I think we’re all planning on plenty of liquid courage. I’m not afraid of sounding bad (especially where I lean into it)—but I’d also like recommendations particularly for UK songs from the punk era to today that would suitable for a baritone-ish voice with limited upper range.
Why UK music from punk onward? Because that is probably 95% of what I listen to. But since I don’t do a lot of singing, it never really occurs to me to think of what would suit my voice—nor what’s good for karaoke (i.e., no long intros).
Some Echo and the Bunnymen has worked. I had my hopes up for Pulp, but I can’t quite manage Jarvis Cocker’s voice at his most excited (eg Common People)—but could perhaps find another track. Oasis may be in range, but I feel like I end up doing a bad Liam impression. Gruff Rhys? Richard Ashcroft? Suggs?
I am certain I will make bolder (and gleefully less suitable) song choices as the night gets more shambolic. But I’d one or two songs that might work for the more sober start. We’re just using karaoke tracks on YouTube, which may limit some choices. Thanks!
Why UK music from punk onward? Because that is probably 95% of what I listen to. But since I don’t do a lot of singing, it never really occurs to me to think of what would suit my voice—nor what’s good for karaoke (i.e., no long intros).
Some Echo and the Bunnymen has worked. I had my hopes up for Pulp, but I can’t quite manage Jarvis Cocker’s voice at his most excited (eg Common People)—but could perhaps find another track. Oasis may be in range, but I feel like I end up doing a bad Liam impression. Gruff Rhys? Richard Ashcroft? Suggs?
I am certain I will make bolder (and gleefully less suitable) song choices as the night gets more shambolic. But I’d one or two songs that might work for the more sober start. We’re just using karaoke tracks on YouTube, which may limit some choices. Thanks!
Can't say why, but when I read the question Adam & the Ants popped up into my brain, and I now have Prince Charming as an ear worm for the foreseeable future...
If it doesn't work at the start of the evening, it'd be fun after a beer or 3.
After all, ridicule is nothing to be scared of.
posted by Calvin and the Duplicators at 6:37 AM on October 6, 2022 [2 favorites]
If it doesn't work at the start of the evening, it'd be fun after a beer or 3.
After all, ridicule is nothing to be scared of.
posted by Calvin and the Duplicators at 6:37 AM on October 6, 2022 [2 favorites]
Seconding "leaning into a Liam Gallagher impression." Sometimes it seems like Liam Gallagher was doing a Liam Gallagher impression, so you'd be in spectacular company.
And I keep hearing Iggy Pop's "Lust for Life" in my head, reading your question. And anything Lou Reed did. Not sure if they fall too far out of your parameters, but I can imagine them going over big with the right crowd.
posted by adekllny at 6:53 AM on October 6, 2022
And I keep hearing Iggy Pop's "Lust for Life" in my head, reading your question. And anything Lou Reed did. Not sure if they fall too far out of your parameters, but I can imagine them going over big with the right crowd.
posted by adekllny at 6:53 AM on October 6, 2022
The Clash "Should I Stay Or Should I Go"
posted by Zumbador at 6:56 AM on October 6, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by Zumbador at 6:56 AM on October 6, 2022 [5 favorites]
I see Zumbador’s suggestion and raise you London Calling. Fully recommend ridiculous Liam Gallagher/Morrissey impressions. Or pick Noel songs - Don’t Look Back In Anger? Maybe some Stone Roses? Ian Brown can’t sing so you won’t be any worse.
My personal ice breaker is It’s The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) - good warm up and much more about performance of the words rather than singing. Appreciate not British but similar in vein.
posted by corvine at 7:04 AM on October 6, 2022 [1 favorite]
My personal ice breaker is It’s The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) - good warm up and much more about performance of the words rather than singing. Appreciate not British but similar in vein.
posted by corvine at 7:04 AM on October 6, 2022 [1 favorite]
so far the suggestions would strain my poor talents
"Wild Thing" by the Troggs is about all I can handle, come to think of it "I'm Straight" by J. Richman and the Modern Lovers would be doable, you can see a pattern emerging..
if I have friend/s to accompany me, I sure like to do Blue Rodeo's "Lost Together"
have fun!! I'm planning karaoke for my birthday party in January.
posted by elkevelvet at 7:30 AM on October 6, 2022
"Wild Thing" by the Troggs is about all I can handle, come to think of it "I'm Straight" by J. Richman and the Modern Lovers would be doable, you can see a pattern emerging..
if I have friend/s to accompany me, I sure like to do Blue Rodeo's "Lost Together"
have fun!! I'm planning karaoke for my birthday party in January.
posted by elkevelvet at 7:30 AM on October 6, 2022
The Jam, To Be Someone (Didn't We Have a Nice Time) is loads of fun to sing and likely in range. Also:
Buzzcocks, I Don't Mind
Elvis Costello, Motel Matches or Waiting for the End of the World or Welcome to the Working Week or Beyond Belief or, or, or...
posted by miles per flower at 7:59 AM on October 6, 2022
Buzzcocks, I Don't Mind
Elvis Costello, Motel Matches or Waiting for the End of the World or Welcome to the Working Week or Beyond Belief or, or, or...
posted by miles per flower at 7:59 AM on October 6, 2022
Morrissey's The Last of the Famous International Playboys is pretty fun to sing
posted by niicholas at 8:24 AM on October 6, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by niicholas at 8:24 AM on October 6, 2022 [2 favorites]
Blur, Song 2. Get that crowd woo-hoping along with you and no one will care how bad your voice is.
posted by ActionPopulated at 8:32 AM on October 6, 2022
posted by ActionPopulated at 8:32 AM on October 6, 2022
Mr. Brightside by The Killers feels like it should be a good match for you. Not very difficult to sing (the verses are practically just one note) and usually a big crowd pleaser.
posted by mhum at 8:56 AM on October 6, 2022
posted by mhum at 8:56 AM on October 6, 2022
Hmmm. I wonder if getting someone to "duet" with you may be an option? If that works, and your co-singer is a woman - you could do Love Shack by the B-52s. It's a fun, "whee let's party" song, and Fred Schneider is more shouting than singing as such. And everyone's going to be listening for when your partner shouts "TIN ROOF RUSTED!" anyway.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:08 AM on October 6, 2022
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:08 AM on October 6, 2022
Guy Garvey doesn't seem to have much vocal range so I'd think anything they have by Elbow ought to work. Leaders of the Free World could work but is a big lengthy.
As you mentioned Pulp how about Babies?
Enjoy the Silence by Depeche Mode is quite singable too. Come to think of it most Depeche Mode would likely work.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 9:24 AM on October 6, 2022
As you mentioned Pulp how about Babies?
Enjoy the Silence by Depeche Mode is quite singable too. Come to think of it most Depeche Mode would likely work.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 9:24 AM on October 6, 2022
"Do I Wanna Know" by Arctic Monkeys has been a go-to for me at karaoke, and I think you'll find it suitable to your range, especially if you lean on backup singers for the pre-chorus "do I wanna know?" lines. At our local karaoke, those lines are actually baked into the backing track.
posted by sockshaveholes at 9:30 AM on October 6, 2022
posted by sockshaveholes at 9:30 AM on October 6, 2022
Do you know any Richard Hawley songs? Tonight the Streets are Ours or Cole’s Corner are good choices for a baritone.
Or a Walker Brothers song?
posted by rd45 at 10:13 AM on October 6, 2022 [1 favorite]
Or a Walker Brothers song?
posted by rd45 at 10:13 AM on October 6, 2022 [1 favorite]
99 red balloons is way less difficult to sing than you think (it’s just fast), especially if you are passing familiar with it and you have the lyrics right there. It’s an absolute banger and people do be impressed.
posted by Iteki at 1:57 PM on October 6, 2022
posted by Iteki at 1:57 PM on October 6, 2022
Anything by Cake or They Might Be Giants. Short Skirt, Long Jacket and Istanbul, Not Constantinople are my gotos.
posted by AlSweigart at 8:53 PM on October 6, 2022
posted by AlSweigart at 8:53 PM on October 6, 2022
"Don't You Forget About Me" by Simple Minds? And my Karaoke advice is have a few beers first, and then sing in your range, not the original singer's. Oh, and no deep cuts - you want something people can join in on.
posted by Furnace of Doubt at 11:59 AM on October 7, 2022
posted by Furnace of Doubt at 11:59 AM on October 7, 2022
Oh, and "I Melt With You". The "mmm, mmm, mmm" parts are fun to sing.
posted by Furnace of Doubt at 12:00 PM on October 7, 2022
posted by Furnace of Doubt at 12:00 PM on October 7, 2022
This thread is closed to new comments.
But also, i will fully support you leaning into a Liam Gallagher impression. My girlfriends and I make a point to sing N'Sync's Bye Bye Bye with the nasally Justin Timberlake and deeper JC Chasez bits intact.
In terms of suggestions:
- David Bowie?
- Rick Astley?
- oh, Edwyn Collins's Girl Like You?
posted by cendawanita at 6:24 AM on October 6, 2022