There isn't enough alcohol in a bar to get me to go up there

I cant sing, so would'nt attempt to sing! Not even at a bar! Btw, what happened with the original question? I've been away most of the day, but i commented on it early in the morning. Just wanted 2 read some of the other comments

Karaoke is...
a crime against humanity

I can't get drunk enough to listen to it, let alone attempt it.

it's not about how well you sing. it's about the whole performance. rolling on the floor is encouraged.

As a semi-pro karaoke performer, I always encourage others to participate. I remind them that, as they are in a bar, liquid courage is easily available. I also encourage them by noting that talent is not required.

I agree with theotheragentm, it is the whole performance. If I wanted to listen to Folsom Prison Blues by Johnny Cash, I'd just play the record. A guy I watched perform the Safety Dance left me in stitches he was so funny.

karaoke is one of those things that you are into or your not. If you are into karaoke, it is not about how well you sing, it is about your 3min of fame and the cheers or boos that you get for it. And cheering or booing for others. If your not into it, karaoke is just a tard fest

klynb wrote:As a semi-pro karaoke performer...

That implies there are professional karaoke singers? Is there a league, do you compete?

Japanese for Tone Deaf

I've won 2 trips to Vegas to compete in Karaoke contests. I only had to go up against 2 other people at the local level who could not sing at all whatsoever. It's like they just handed me a trip to Vegas. That's why I like Karaoke :-)

...and American Idol is to blame for popularizing the false notion that singing is purely an inherent talent, discouraging people from thinking they can ever become better at singing, and encouraging unduly harsh judgement of amateurs.

I'm no impressionist, but I can sing a convincing Neal Diamond. So I memorized Sweet Caroline ahead of time and thought I'd give it a try. What I learned was that whereas any impression is only funny for at the very most 30 seconds, the song it self goes for 3:21 (per Wiki). That leaves a lot of time for wondering why that fact didn't come to mind earlier, and whether or not it's bad etiquette to bow out in the middle of a karaoke song. I suppose it's like when someone presses the button at the crosswalk, and then just crosses against the signal anyway. Everyone else still has to wait out the cycle before they can get on with things. So you press on to the end, and slowly learn another lesson ... just how long three minutes can be.

Otherwise, it was a hoot!

Karaoke is a wonderful and terrible thing. I love it. I have a strong voice, so when I'm sober I sound good. When I'm hammered it's just that much more entertaining. LOVE IT!

Karaoke4LYFE!

You people are full of it. There are plenty of freakin AMAZING singers that you find in Karaoke bars and despite what you may think being drunk does not make you sound better. I personally know two people that have gone pro from doing their rounds Karaoke-ing and I've won a few bucks (in Japan of course) doing some famous songs.

Go ahead take it down if you want but seriously go to your local place and have a listen. My usual haunts have more good singers than bad. What this tells me is that being able to sing well is not as unusual a talent as the record labels, the media and pop culture would have you believe.

Once upon a time people would gather in the public square to watch -- and listen to -- cats being roasted alive as entertainment. Karaoke is like that.