Karaoke Forums

I'm curious about something. I guess this question is more directed toward the men in here, as I don't think it's as much of an issue with women.

How many men sing songs by female artists and vice versa? I was reading another thread about what songs people sing, and I noticed that with the men there was no gender variation. And when I'm at a karaoke place I almost NEVER see a guy doing a "girl" song. OK, I've seen it at gay karoke places (I"m gay myself) but that's about it.

I'm not talking about a standard that's been done by so many people that it's pretty much gender netural (eg - New York, New York). Nor am I talking about songs that are gender specific (eg - Celine Dion's "Power of Love" or "Meeting in the Ladies Room" by Klymaxx).

I'm talking about songs that are gender neutral lyrically, but were made popular by a female artist. I'd just like to hear some opinions on it. Does it seem too unmasculine (is that a word?) to do it? If the song isn't gender specific should it matter? If you've done it have people made snide comments about it? And if you don't do it and would never dream of doing it, why?

Personally, I have no problem doing it. I like a lot of female artists and I don't see the point in limiting the songs I'd like to try. I think it can be interesting to hear a male voice doing a song normally heard by a female, and I've stumbled across a few songs that I do really well by trying oddball stuff (Lovin' You by Minnie Riperton springs to mind).

Anyway, I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on the subject.

Hi Re Invention, and welcome!

Maybe one reason that most men don't sing girl songs is that many of them are recorded in a key that doesn't fit the range of men's voices. I personally see nothing wrong with it if it is not gender specific.

I have always liked "The End OF The World" by Skeeter Davis, but it is out of my range, even using the pitch key on the karaoke player.

At first, I wouldn't have tried it because I just naturally thought that it would be out of my range. After all it was sung by a woman. However, after being pushed into singing a couple chick songs (it was a suicide night), I realized that many times, they can be easier to sing because they are so much higher that you can just drop an octave and it actually sounds pretty good sometimes. However, if you want to sound good, it would help if you knew ahead of time if that will work for you. I don't sing chick songs very often, but I will from time to time if I'm with a group of people I can really have fun with who don't really care about who sings what as long as you have a good time and don't submit them to TOO MUCH torture. I found that for me it's pretty comfortable to sing songs by Sheryl Crow, Debbie Harry, Madonna, etc. Of course, I DO change the words slightly to reflect my masculinity such as names in the songs or personal pronouns and such. I usually won't do those drunk though because I'll forget and use the wrong pronouns or something, and THEN I'll get some ribbing for it. Otherwise people are usually pretty cool with it. I say if you can do it, go for it!

By the way, my GF says to mention that some people see it like this: "He must be pretty secure in his manhood to get up in front of people and sing that song." (Which she also says is a bit of a turn-on for many women). Anyway, if it sounds good, it is good. Have fun with it!

My wife loves to sing Male songs, and I usually give her hell for it, even tho she does them pretty good. As far as the other way around, I have only done a couple, and they weren't too bad- I love Rock N Roll, Down at the twist and Shout, and the one that gets me the most looks- Celine Dion, It's all coming back to me now (the song was written by Jim Stienman- the guy who writes ALL of Meatloafs' stuff, and if I can pull his stuff off....)

But this is an interesting question. What elses does everyone sing that makes you feel like you belong at Rocky Horror? Just Kidding.......

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Let's Kick the Tires and Light the Fires!

I have found that as long as your having fun you can sing anything! I sing alot of quote un quote Guy songs and I can usually pull them off and I enjoy it. I know lots of guys who sing Girl songs so to speak better than alot of the women I know. So go out there and get down with yourself hehehe and just enjoy it for what it is A Passion for the music and lets face it the attention !!! Sing on and take care!

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Love to Live .......Live to Love...... Sing to be Free.....

I have noticed here in the backwoods that many ladies sing those songs associated with male singers, without much hassel. On the other hand I too haven't seen many men doin' those songs associated with females. I do a cover a couple of songs that were recorded by female artist, but they are generally unfimliar to the peoiple I'm singin' to.

One time I practiced a Garth Brooks version of "Walking After Midnight", and thought I had got it down to where it was ready to be used in a public fourm. Boy was I wrong! After I sang what I thought was a very good rendition of the song, I was confronted by a swarm of good ol' boys, wantin' to know why I was singin' girl songs!

I just thought it was a good song......

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[glow=blue]Tequila & A Song
KKid[/glow]

Whether the lyrics are gender specific or not., if you can sing it or want to sing it, go for it. It's all about having fun. I would love to be able to sing Earth Kitt tunes, but she sings to low for me.

Cheers

Being a male Soprano .. Yes I "Gender bend" songs.

It tends to really catch the ear of alot of shows.. but tend to limit to one or two songs a night.

Anything from Paula Abdoul to Alanis Morrisette.

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Brian D.
(BHB)

If it's in a book, I'll do it. I have no shame. I'm also a masochist.

Since I have no range, it is very difficult for me to do "girl songs". I have had some success doing "girl songs" that were written by men...such as "Crazy" by Willie Nelson; "I Fall to Pieces" by Hank Cochran and Harlan Howard; "Help Me Make It Through the Night" and "Me and Bobbie Magee" by Kris Kristopherson

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Still kickin', jes' aint raisin' much dust !

I like hearing men crosing over. and when done well and within his vocal range it can sound fatastic. I sing Colour of the Wind V. William but sound horrid and always get the booo. but i sill do any night because am the baddest singer

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I can neither confirm nor deny ever having or knowing anything about nothing.... mrscott

Hey Badsinger, welcome! Trust me---- you can't be the worst singer here. At least you haven't been banned from any venues for your singing (and no there was absolutely no adult content in the song; just that it did not go over well at all).

sometime some of the men should try something new. "Break it to me Gently" by I think crystal gayle, is well suited for men. I do it in my elvis show.

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I'm Not Dead yet...... But every day Im getting Closer !

As a female, I wouldn't try a guy song for the longest time. The day I did I realized the true potential for my lower range and have since developed it nicely. I also choose girl songs (and even some guy songs) that challenge my upper range. It's a great way to expand your vocal range in general...but take it a little at a time!

I do mostly male songs because thats where my range is. I don't change the lyrics, I sing them just as a man would. I've even gotten a few compliments. But I also do some female songs. I've heard very few men doing female songs and the ones I have heard are usually guys goofing off( Man I feel like a woman ). But it's all in fun.
Badsinger, I can't beleive people boo you. That's so rude. Where we go even the worst singers get some applause.

I'm glad to see the responses in this thread. To me, a good song is a good song and I find it kind of funny that so many people will limit their options simply because a woman originally recorded it. Obviously there are key and range issues, but those apply with any singer and any song.

Sometimes I find it fun to do a true "girl" song just to see the puzzled looks on the faces in the crowd. A few weeks ago I had "Meeting in the Ladies Room" by Klymaxx running through my head because I had seen their episode of 'Bands Reunited" earlier in the evening. So I finally decided to do it. Not campy or over the top, just straightforward as I would do any other song. I got a few strange looks and not the greatest response from the crowd. Hee.

To me, it's much more fun to hear or sing something off the wall than it is to get up and do another safe song that's been done 50 zillion times. I'm not there to tryout for Star Search, I'm there to have fun!

Hi
I got booed; mic taken away, you name it,and I had had it. If they banned me from singing, there is away around it: get someone to submit the slip, but I got to sing In my part of the world booing is rude but people got killed just because they sing the 'wrong' song the 'wrong' style.
I like to try Jenis Joplin's 'Kozmic blues'. but still cant find the backing track
That will be the day

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I can neither confirm nor deny ever having or knowing anything about nothing.... mrscott

The guy who got me into karaoke got up one night and did a whitney houston song and nailed it! I was amazed. Anyway, you have all given me something to think about as I am a high tenor and do stuff by Simply Red, Journey, Styx, you know the high male vocals. I know I can sing some female songs, but have only done so in the privacy of my own home. Maybe I should think about working on one to do one of these nights. Maybe blow everyone's mind!

Thanks,

P.S. I just thought of one I can do.... These Dreams by Heart. Ann's sister, Nancy is actually the singer on that song, but I can do it. Just have to check the lyrics and make sure it isn't gender specific.

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Simply Celtic

There's a lot of "girl songs" that don't put your masculinity at risk, and are pretty easy to sing. Tracy Chapman comes immediately to mind, especially "Fast Car" and "Gimme One Reason". I can't do a show without someone insisting that I sing "Please Come to Boston." I don't know that I've ever heard the Dave Loggins version of the song, but the Joan Baez version is one of my favorite all-time songs, so I'm pretty sure I do it more in her style, just a couple of octaves lower.

Also, I've been doing "The First Cut is the Deepest" for a couple of years now, and until 6 months ago most people probably thought I wrote the song. Now they think I'm doing a "girl song".

By the way, that is David Allan Coe you were thinking of.

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Simply Celtic