Karaoke Forums

First of all; I can curse up a blue streak when it is called for. I just don't think that it is called for at a karaoke bar. Maybe I don't feel like I have to curse to get attention. I sing well enough to get positive attention instead of "begging " for attention by making an (@$%&#!) of myself by acting like a juvenile delinquent. If there is even one person in the bar that would feel uncomfortable by someone using profanity; then I'm not going to be the one to upset the apple cart. My mother used to say something to me when I was growing up that still resonates in my heart. She used to always say "DON'T MAKE SHAME ON ME". If I ever sang "CLOSER" or something of that ilk at a typical karaoke bar; my mother would be doing summersaults in her grave. If that makes me a SNOB; I'll wear the name proudly. It's better than being rude and inconsiderate.

I don't know what kind of bars you people have in your areas. Around here the bars are full of working class people, mostly in their 20's to 50's, and have no problem with strong language. They are bars. People go to them to drink and carry on. They go to them to cut loose. It's not like we have lawyers, accountants, and real estate tycoons in the crowd. The places I hang out, and want to work in aren't full of people wearing suits and ties. I used to hang out at a place like that. It was called George's Handlebar up in Mt Sinai, NY. It was a more affluent area. The place has since been on Kitchen nightmares and closed down. But it was the kind of place where Closer wouldn't fit in. One cool thing about that place was that I met Ritchie Blackmore there. He lives in Mt Sinai, and used to come in to hang on occasion.

No matter where I have sung Closer I have gotten a good reaction, with dancers and people singing in the crowd. I don't do it often, but once in a while the feeling to do that comes over me. Nobody has ever gasped and walked out. BTW, is there a better version of Closer than SC's version? Their version kinda sucks.

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I am the ONLY SANE 1 HERE

Cussing ain't no big wup around here. At one place I go to, the couple in the booth behind us were actually having sex. My wife and I watched for about twenty minutes or so, then I heard the KJ call my name. As I got to the stage, everyone was laughing, and the host just gave me a quick point of the finger.........I didn't realize, that I was on stage, and pitching a small tent. Not wanting to waste a turn, I just shrugged my shoulders, and asked him to play my song. About halfway through my "Born to be wild", the laughter, and the woody subsided..........I then left......but I had to came back, because I forgot my wife.......then we left, and I have never gone back to that place again.

Using ADULT Language doesn't make a person an ADULT...just like smoking doesn't make anyone look cool. Some people are just so desperate for attention that they will do anything to get it. Bars are full of adults who may curse during their time at the bar but see what kind of service you get when you yell out to the bartender...."HEY DOUCHE BAG! BRING ME A PHUCKING BEER ALREADY. Some people are just looking for someone to get in their face about the cursing so they can prove how Bad A$$ they are. If you're singing in a location where singing songs with profanity in them is the norm; then have it. If the owner of the bar gets up on stage and sings "CLOSER" then go on and sing whatever you want....but if you're at a neighborhood bar/restaurant where everyone else is singing G-Rated songs and you are the only person singing songs laced with ADULT language; then you are not acting like an adult. You are acting like a punk.

The people who wrote those songs made more money then you...and you saying its not right...singing is an art from no one has the right to edit it...noone

so if you make a lot of money doing something; it makes it all right for every environment? Pornography is a BILLION dollar industry but I've never seen the PLAYBOY Channel being shown in a bar. I wonder why that is?

Some people are just overly sensitive. Like I said, in a bar with a bunch of ties and jackets around the room, i wouldn't do a song like Closer. But in a regular bar, with people who WORK for a living, yeah Closer is just fine and dandy to do. Yes, I said it. If your job entails wearing a suit and tie, you are NOT working. If you go to work and get dirty, or have to breathe in toxic fumes, like cigarette smoke, you ARE working.

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I am the ONLY SANE 1 HERE

I know of one other job that you are almost required to drink on the job. Pirate Festivals. Drinking without being drunk is encouraged espcially drinking rum. Which is why we made up a version of Grog to drink while "on the job". You could sip it all day and not get drunk.

For those that want the recipe that we did up here it is:
1/2 Sobe Green Tea (some versions just mix it with water)
1/2 Spiced Rum
1 squirt of lime juice

Do you attend Gapsarilla, here in Tampa??

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I am the ONLY SANE 1 HERE

Im not saying anything about profanity, if a show needs it to survive, then that's one thing, if a host feels he/shes NEEDS to drink while working to make it work, then again, goes with with the profanity rule. If you need it to survive, have at it! If you don't need it (alcohol or profanity) to make a good show that people want to come back to, then have at it! It's all in what you need to survive as a show. I prefer not myself and the show is still surviving with the same 'working class' 20-40 year olds ot being able to cuss/use profanity on stage or having a drunk host. So your arguement is out the window.
I'm not saying i've never drunk while working, but it's definitely not a regular nightly event.

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AND YOU THINK THAT I'M A SNOB???? THAT IS RICH!

Actually, that would make me the Anti-Snob. Snobs tend to be wealthy, they don't cuss, they look down their noses on REAL workers.

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I am the ONLY SANE 1 HERE

Classic case of Class envy. You just have a chip on your shoulder against anyone who chose to better themself by getting an education so they could find a job where they DON'T HAVE TO GET DIRTY.

Perfect example of the have nots hating the haves of the world because of their incredible jealousy.

We did live just south of Tampa in Bradenton but no we never did Gasparilla. That is an organization that caters to business men that buy their way into doing the show for a certain amount of money. We do know some of the people that do it thou and most do other things for charity while dressed up.
The shows we have done in Florida are:
St Johns Pass
Panama City
Pirates in Paradise in Key West
Bay Area Ren Fest
Sarasota Medieval Faire
amoung others and then there are the corporate parties that we would get hired to do usually for the biggest salesmen sorta thing.

I am pretty sure that cursing and being "bad a$$" are not inherently connected. I tend to sing "Little Lion Man" sometimes at the bar around here, and I'm pretty sure the intent of the song isn't to sound "bad a$$"--it's really just a twee, sad little song that happens to have the f-bomb in it.



That tends to be the scope of things out where I am. The bars that have karaoke are pretty much dive bars, college bars, biker bars, or clubs. No one would blink at any of the songs listed in this thread.

I tend to pick my songs depending on the audience and the milieu. I wouldn't feel the need to, say, do "Closer" in a place where the crowd didn't look like it'd be receptive to it. Then again, you never know. Some of my biggest "fans," as it were, are older, conservative-looking people who really get in to the rap stuff I do.

That's actually why I started this thread in the first place. I get language restrictions, but I found it odd that so many places had a full-on ban on rap, when most of the rap songs available for karaoke have little to know objectionable content, or are radio-edited versions of the songs:

• Sugarhill Gang, "Rappers Delight" (aside from the length)
• Young MC, "Bust a Move"
• Beastie Boys, "Intergalactic"
• Run DMC, "It's Tricky" (speaking of that, I would *kill* for a karaoke version of "Peter Piper")
• House of Pain, "Jump Around"
• Kanye West, "Gold Digger"

That said, not being able to rap at karaoke? Not a deal-breaker. Not being able to swear at karaoke? Not a deal-breaker. I can have a good time doing anything, providing there's enough fun in the room.

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Co-host of The Greatest Song Ever Sung (Poorly), a karaoke-themed podcast

When in Rome.....that's all it boils down to, and rules are to be followed, not suggested behavior...... peace up

Dictionary definition:
snob
1. archaic : COBBLER
2. one who blatantly imitates, fawningly admires, or vulgarly seeks association with those he regards as his superiors
3 a. one who tends to rebuff, avoid, or ignore those he regards as inferior
3 b. one who has an offensive air of superiority in matters of knowledge or taste


Sorry smoothedge... I don't see anything in this definition that points to one being a wealthy person or someone who doesn't "cuss."

Besides, nobody said the B-man is rich, and he admits he cusses sometimes.......

I sure do!

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KingBing Entertainment C'mon Up! I have a song for you!!! [font=MS Sans Serif][/font]

Big deal, and how much longevity does ANY of those writers have - probably 99% of them have zero, you hear them then they are pretty much forgotten until their next big no talent 'shock value' hit? Most writers today have absolutely no creativity in making innuendos like the songwriters of the past. They don't make you think about a song anymore, they just state it bluntly. Can't even say it's shock value anymore, it's so commonplace it's a joke value.

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