Karaoke Forums

"It's the end of the world as we know it" by R.E.M. is one of the most difficult songs to sing for me. "One Week" by Barenaked Ladies also.

We tried Staying Alive and End of the World. Having two mics really worked out well because it was four of us switching off. I think I actually went a little more longer on Staying Alive because of chorus was easy. And adding the alcohol factor, there was plenty of Buzzes from End of the World. Really fun to try out. Might try rap tunes next that will get some Buzzes too.

There are many, but one song I've only heard "covered" well on ONE occasion is "Love Hurts", Nazareth. Everybody loves to do that song, almost none can sing that register and project gravel. Hearing most try is a painful experience. Also songs by Peter Cetera I personally find VERY difficult. For females a few toughies are Sheena Easton's "You could have been with me", and Minnie Riperton's "Loving You". They get VERY high. Whistle tones perhaps ? To sing Journey WELL is not easy either. Try singing "I'll take you there" by The Staple singers in proper syncopation The timing and phrasing on Staple Singers songs is NOT easy. "Cut the cake" by AWB is also a toughie to do in proper timing. "Crazy" by Seal is tough too. "Don't Cry" by Seal is no easy task.

I'm stating that I've heard very few do these songs WELL. They get hacked to pieces all the time Seasoned singers seem to REALLY know these songs, or they just aren't done without being butchered.

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

At the various karaoke shows I go to, I am largely considered to be one of the best singers (KJ's words, not mine). Frequently I am asked by the KJ, or by another singer, if I can sing a request or if I will duet with somebody. I am more than happy to take the request if I know the song or it is in a range that I am comfortable with. However, when I have had to politely refuse a request because I was not familiar with the song, I always get the "well the lyrics are on the screen" response. Well yes they are, but that doesn't help me with the other subtle nuances of the song such as timing and proper phrasing. My point, is that I am considered to be an excellent singer because I am aware of what I am good at and also what I am not good at. While I do have a very good range, I can't sing as high as Steve Perry or as low as Barry White. So what I am wondering is why would anybody who takes singing even a little serious, purposely put themselves into a situation where they sing a song that they know is not one that they can sing?

Actually one advantage of this would be that singers might get a chance to test their limits in a situation where failure is expected. Someone who might not normally sing Take On Me by A-Ha can now try it and just see how well they do or how many gongs they receive.

I can sing that one with one of my vocal cords tied behind my back. In my sleep.

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[size=100][b][color=deepskyblue][u]Question[/u]: What do you call a fly without wings? [u]Answer[/u]: A "walk"[/color][/b][/size]

Tell it like it is!

I actually never considered that. That's actually a very good idea.

It depends on the song... many of them are a piece of cake. "Living After Midnight," "Breaking The Law," "Heading Out To The Highway," "Turbo Lover," and "You've Got Another Thing Coming" are pretty easy. Even "Electric Eye" isn't overly difficult. The hardest one most KJs have in their books is probably "Screaming For Vengeance." "Victim Of Changes" and "The Ripper" are very hard, too... they're available from SBI Global out of the UK.

Generally, Iron Maiden songs are more difficult to pull off than Judas Priest songs. "Aces High" by Iron Maiden is the hardest song that I've ever successfully done. And I use the term "successfully" very loosely, .

If you put "Baraccuda," "Love Hurts," and my personal pick for the hardest ever (guy) song, "I'll Never Let You Go" by Steelheart on the list, it'll be obvious right off the bat that they won't be able to pull it off, and they'll get "buzzed" immediately. OR, they might try to "beat the system" and sing it an octave lower. Then you'd have the dilemma of incorporating a "no octave drops" clause into the rules. Instead, I'd go for songs that start out easy and get harder to do later on in the song... it'd be fun for the patrons to nudge each other any say "Look out, here comes the HARD part!" People have mentioned "Dream On" and Shinedown's "I Dare You;" those are great examples. The Scorpions have some good ones like that. "No One Like You" and "Big City Nights" are good picks. From the outside, "Big City Nights" seems like it would be easy, but it's VERY tricky.

I agree with BruceFan and Wildflower, and anyone else who suggested songs with "fast paced" lyrics. The more drunk you get, the more of a "tongue twister" it becomes. I'd suggest "One Week" by the Barenaked Ladies for that.

The only thing hard about "Bohemian Rhapsody" are the high notes in a few select areas of the song. Most karaoke backings have LOTS of prerecorded backing vocals covering those parts. This would allow the singer to slack off and let the backing track do the heavy lifting.

Good luck with the show! I wish I could be there! Here's my rendition of Iron Maiden's "Aces High" for your listening pleasure:

http://singersshowcase.com/song.php?id=85834

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[size=100][b][color=deepskyblue][u]Question[/u]: What do you call a fly without wings? [u]Answer[/u]: A "walk"[/color][/b][/size]

I noticed that somewhere in here, somebody mentioned "Your Love" by The Outfield. I've always wanted to try it, but was never daring enough. I can sing "Take It to the Limit", by The Eagles with out much difficulty. If I can sing the one, should I be able to sing the other?

"One less bell to answer" by the Fifth Dimension. There are only two possible outcomes in performing this song, it's either great or it truly sucks.

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Okay, who took my pants?

I'd have to say probably not... "Your Love" is in a much higher register. A good comparison would be "Roxanne" by The Police. Anybody who sings one of those would definitely be able to handle the other.



I just thought of another song that starts out easy & then becomes nearly impossible to pull off: "More Than A Feeling" by Boston.

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[size=100][b][color=deepskyblue][u]Question[/u]: What do you call a fly without wings? [u]Answer[/u]: A "walk"[/color][/b][/size]

HAHA! I love ya, man! Thanks!

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[size=100][b][color=deepskyblue][u]Question[/u]: What do you call a fly without wings? [u]Answer[/u]: A "walk"[/color][/b][/size]

I sang "Roxanne" once during a round of "scareoke" and, much to my shock, I was able to hit all the notes. However, it's certainly not well within my comfort level. So I could probably sing "Your Love", but it would be the only thing I'd sing all night, and to me that's foolish. I remember when I first started to go out and participate in karaoke, there was this one show that I would go to every week, run by a guy and girl. He was more familiar with the tech aspect of it. The second week that I was there, I was up on the mic, waiting for the song to start up, and I heard her ask him to make the proper adjustments because my voice was "so smooth" Nobody would say that if my temples are popping out of my head as I try to force out a vocal performance.

Songs like those are the reason I learned country. I started singing karaoke and discovered that as a baritone, there ain't a heck of a lot to sing in rock.

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[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

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When I hear the word "baritone", I think of the guy in the Oakridge Boys, or that guy that sings the really low part in Games People Play by the Spinners. I'm guessing you're slightly higher than that though.

Those are basses. I am pretty much a straight baritone. I can get down to those notes, but I don't sound great.

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[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

Because they're drunk, as everyone at a karaoke show should be.

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Okay, who took my pants?

AC/DC-- Back in Black, Have a Drink on Me, You Shook Me. 1st and 3rd are not only high but pretty quick.

Hard to Handle
Bust a Move

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For those about to rock, we salute you!!!