Karaoke Revolution
July 7, 2008
New book provides the ins and outs of becoming a karaoke superstar
SAN FRANCISCO - Clad in a cute ivory flapper-esque dress and with a microphone in hand, petite Raina Lee pointed suggestively at her bosom and derriere as she sang the raunchy “Dance: 10, Looks: 3″ from A Chorus Line.
“Just a dash of silicone … shake your new maracas and you’re fine!” Lee crooned at the Mint Karaoke Lounge, while the crowd clapped and cheered during her June 28 book launch party.
Self-proclaimed karaoke queen Lee, 31, imparts knowledge, tips, techniques and insider secrets to turn anyone into a full-blown karaoke master in Hit Me With Your Best Shot: The Ultimate Guide to Karaoke Domination. She advises readers on picking the perfect song, throwing the ultimate karaoke party, dance moves and choreography to wow the crowd, fashion tips and how to convince shy friends to take the mic.
“Raina’s book is great for people who want to karaoke but are unsure of what to do,” said cartoonist John Pham, who is Lee’s boyfriend.
Karaoke is about understanding the balance between singing songs you love and songs that will please the crowd, working the room and having a good time, according to Lee, whose favorite songs include Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone” and Wayne Newton’s “Danke Schoen.”
Taking a break from performing, Lee, who publishes 1-Up MegaZine, the first magazine devoted to videogame culture, sips her lemon tea and reveals that she came up with the idea for the book after meeting many people - mainly non-Asians - who had never karaoked or did not know much about it.
“I was shocked that people grew up without karaoke in their lives,” said Lee, who decided shortly afterward to make it her mission to teach the world how to unleash their inner rock star.
The Chinese American’s passion for singing began at an early age thanks to her parents who owned two laser disc players, and made it a family tradition to karaoke regularly at parties and after meals. Her parents sang ’60s American pop music (what she calls “cheesy old-style love songs”) such as Paul Anka and Elvis, and pretty soon, Lee fell in love with those songs as well. For the Lees, “karaoke” was like another member of the family.
Karaoke became popular in the ’70s, gaining wide appreciation and acceptance in Japan and the rest of Asia - Taiwan, China, Korea, Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines. Asians who left the region took karaoke wherever they settled, and by the ’90s, karaoke began popping up worldwide, all over the U.S., Europe, Canada and Australia, according to Lee.
Lee notes that there are major cultural differences between karaoke in the East, where it originated, versus the West. In Asia, karaoke is usually practiced at home, and automated song systems allow patrons to program their own songs. The focus is on solo performance, and irony is not encouraged - Asians don’t do “I’m Too Sexy” for laughs. Karaoke is the center of activity at bars, and the performance is taken very seriously and even rehearsed.
In the West, karaoke is mostly sung at bars, and private rooms are not that popular. A karaoke jockey typically handles song requests, and group sing-alongs are more widely accepted. Spot-on irony is appreciated and rewarded, and karaoke is not the central activity in the barroom; it’s more a joke sport for people who want to embarrass themselves.
“Whether you’re Filipino, Chinese, Korean or whatever ethnicity, karaoke is universal; anyone can do it,” Lee declares. “There’s also a sense of kinship. I can be singing Cyndi Lauper, and the girl across the room who I don’t know will sing along with me. That’s the great thing about karaoke - it can bring people together.”
Karaoke Set Lists
Get This Party Started
“Faith” - George Michael
“I’m So Excited” - Pointer Sisters
“No Scrubs” - TLC
“Tainted Love/Where Did Our Love Go” - Soft Cell
“Wake Me Up Before You Go Go” - Wham!
Duets
“Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” - Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
“Always” - Atlantic Star
“Endless Love” - Diana Ross and Lionel Richie
“I Got You Babe” - Sonny and Cher
“Summer Nights” - Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta
Most Requested
“Margaritaville” - Jimmy Buffett
“Old Time Rock and Roll” - Bob Seger
“Twist and Shout” - The Beatles
“You Give Love A Bad Name” - Bon Jovi
“Wind Beneath My Wings” - Bette Midler
When You’re on the Prowl
“I Wanna Sex You Up” - Color Me Badd
“I Want You to Want Me” - Cheap Trick
“Rock With You” - Michael Jackson
“1, 2 Step” - Ciara and Missy Elliott
“SexyBack” - Justin Timberlake
Songs One Should NOT Karaoke To
“American Pie” - Don McLean
“Can’t Get You Outta My Head” - Kylie Minogue
“Macarena” - Los Del Rio
“Rapper’s Delight” - The Sugar Hill Gang
“We Like to Party” - Vengaboys
- Courtesy of Raina Lee
Comments
3 Responses to “Karaoke Revolution”
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hahaha you’ll never see asian tunes on western karaoke lists…just not up to party scratch
sukiyaki
if i can’t have you
are asian in nature, but you’re
right! where’s our bandstand
in the genre of sing by numbers
home entertainment?
Raina you’re voice is Amaaaaaaaaaaaaaazing!!!! You rock! I had fun at the Mint too for my first karaoke night. I’ve always been intimidated but seeing you up there is really inspiring. Thanks for getting me out of my shell for a night.