Match The Lyric To These Classic Karaoke Tunes
- by Jessica
- – on
- in Entertainment
How did something like karaoke come into being? Most people would assume it was some organic germination that occurred when too many drunk people knew the bar songs by heart. However, the inventor was actually a twenty-eight year old Japanese musician named Daisuke Inoue. In 1969 Inoue came up with the idea of machines where people could choose the music they sang to for a small fee. They included an amplifier, a microphone, and a coin box. Friday nights in Japan changed forever.
These music machines exploded worldwide in 1971 and every business and bar owner wanted a karaoke machine in their establishment. Now friends around the world can get together and choose some hits to drunkenly sing along to. There is also a specific type of song that is always chosen for karaoke. It has to be popular enough that people recognize it with loud enough background music so people can't just hear your bare voice. Generally hits by Queen, Carrie Underwood, or Marvin Gaye do exceptionally well. Some karaoke bars even have point systems so groups of friends can divide and engage in a sing-off.
A fun trivia fact is that "kara okesutura" means empty orchestra in Japanese.
Can you match the karaoke tunes to the lyric?
"So you got the looks but have you got the touch? Don't get me wrong yeah I think you're alright..."
Shania Twain is a Canadian singer and songwriter and queen of the karaoke hits. She has sold over 100 records and has an instantly recognizable spicy country flare. She came out with her first albums in the early 1990's but her biggest album Come On Over which led to her international fame was released in 1997. It stayed on top charts for two years, giving many of us young millennials time to become Shaina fans. She collaborated with another Canadian singer, Michael Buble for his Christmas album in 2011.
"Good times never seemed so good, I'd be inclined, To believe they never would..."
Neil Diamond came out with this song after his move to LA in the late 1960's. It constituted a change in his sound and brought him back to relevance after he had hit a few musical roadblocks. There are several conflicting stories about who he wrote the original tune for. Since it's original release the Boston Red Sox have adopted this tune as their anthem hymn; it is played before the bottom of every 8th inning. Diamond sung the song live in Fenway Park in 2013.
"You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life"
This Swedish pop group were one of the most successful musical acts, climbing international charts from 1974 to 1982. Since they are globally recognized any one of their top hits is a safe choice for a karaoke sing-a-long. Many of their singles have been borrowed into romantic comedy films. Their music was cemented in popular history when in 1999 a composer approached them to make a musical, Mamma Mia! out of their top tunes. They have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
"There's a fire starting in my heart, reaching a fever pitch, and it's bringing me out the dark"
Adele is a English singer songwriter who came to fame extremely young and names her albums after the age she produces them, as if to accentuate this feat. She sings mostly a mixture of soul and pop and has received six Grammy awards-- a sure sign you can belt away at her tunes and expect a chorus. Her second studio album 21 had been certified platinum 16 times in the United Kingdom alone. Since then she has come out with the album 25 and released a background tune for the Bond film Skyfall.
"I dug my key into the side of his pretty little souped-up four wheel drive..."
Carrie Underwood is an American singer and well recognized as a winner of the 2005 American Idol season. The album that followed this win won her three Grammy awards and bolstered her to national recognition. On several recognized lists she's been named as one of the top pop country artists and several later Grammys have confirmed this status. Music that is both country and centred around revenge is perfect for karaoke-styled bars. It is generally well known and everyone can get into a song that sounds angry.
"At first I was afraid, I was petrified, Kept thinking I could never live without you by my side..."
Gloria Gaynor is well known for her disco era hits as she was mostly active in the 1970's. She rose to power with an R&B jazz band called the Soul Satisfiers before going independent and being signed by Columbia records. Many of these singles have been passed down to our era and are regarded as beacons of female empowerment. Originally record producers weren't sure the song would be radio-friendly enough but one Boston DJ played it enough that it was hoisted into fame by popular demand.
"Blame it all on my roots, I showed up in boots, And ruined your black tie affair"
Garth Brooks is an immensely well-known American country singer from Oklahoma who has sold over 160 million records. He drew his inspiration from rock idols like Freddy Mercury and James Taylor, and his live performances mirror this fascination because he is energetic and agile onstage. He came out with his first album in 1989 and immediately gained popular recognition.This song is seen as Brooks's aesthetic; it talks about a working class man who is after a woman with higher social aspirations.
"Mama, oh oh oh oh, I don't wanna die! I sometimes wish I'd never been born at all"
This eccentric British rock band changed the world of rock and roll and came out with their debut album in 1973. However it would be about five years until the name Freddy Mercury became idolic. Queen was a stadium rock band which explains their all-encompassing presence in songs like "We Will Rock You," but they were also dynamic enough to come up with different genres of song within their albums. This song is known for its music video where all of the band members dress as women.
"If you see a faded sign at the side of the road that says 15 miles to the....."
By new wave band the B-52's this song sold over a million copies and is well remembered. The American band from Georgia situated itself between post-punk to pop-rock. This song is almost never skipped on karaoke night. It was the first of their songs to hit top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 list and their follow-up single also rode this wave of instant fandom. The band members gained recognition and featured on other artist's tracks like Iggy Pop and R.E.M.
"Hey, Don't write yourself off yet, It's only in your head you feel left out or looked down on..."
Jimmy Eat World is an American rock band came out with several hit singles which shot them to fame in 2001. Unfortunately though they have produced several albums since then they have had trouble finding that sweet spot again. The promising album Bleed American sets such a specific mood. After September of that year, worrying the album name might be misinterpreted, they renamed the album to Jimmy Eat World. You definitely could rock out to on karaoke night as the music video was aired frequently on MTV.
"You went to school to learn girl Things you never, never knew before. Like "I" before "E" except after "C" And why 2 plus 2 makes 4"
The Jackson 5 were on the Motown label when they came out with this hit. The label marketed around them because they would draw in youth interest. They were a popular black American music group who gained a cross-racial following. The single was released in 1970 and mounted to number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Before splitting the group had 16 top forty singles on Billboard's hot 100. The chorus chiming is perfect for this song to be sung in front of a group of familiar friends.
"Making my way downtown, walking fast, faces pass and I'm home bound..."
Vanessa Carlton is an American singer-songwriter who became famous while completing university in New York. In 2002 her first single topped at 5th on Billboard's hot 100. The album it came off, Be Not Nobody shot her to platinum certification in the United States. Unfortunately none of her following four albums have reached the same kind of commercial success. The single is well known from its use in many movies like White Chicks and everyone knows at least the first verse.
"I don't mind spending every day, out on your corner in the pouring rain..."
Maroon 5 is an American pop rock band from LA. They did not reach success with their first label but after signing with another they released Songs About Jane and won a Grammy for best new artist. They have continued producing commercially successful singles and records. In 2010 they came out with the single Moves Like Jagger which was Their hits that have been played on the radio enough for people to know, or hum, the choruses.
"The phone rings in the middle of the night, my father yells what you gonna do with your life..."
Cyndi Lauper is an American singer and a LBGT rights activist. Her debut album in 1983 came out with four singles that hit top five on Billboard Hot 100. In 1989 she came out with another studio album Memphis Blues that remained number 1 on the Billboard Blues chart for over three months. She has made nine studio albums, composed the musical Kinky Boots, and has won numerous musical awards-- including three of the four entertainment awards EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Tony).
"And all the roads we have to walk are winding, and all the lights that lead us there are blinding..."
Oasis is an English rock band with two constantly bickering brothers: the Gallaghers. They formed in the early 1990's and are seen as a member of the Britpop alternative rock scene. All of their seven albums were critical and commercial hits beginning with Definitely Maybe and ending with Dig Out Your Soul. The fraternal duo are constantly marketed as controversial and eventually broke up in 2009. Everyone has heard this song being sung once around a campfire, you could definitely get away with bringing it to the bar.
"She loves to laugh, she loves to sing, she does everything..."
Journey is an American rock band from San Francisco and enjoyed much of their commercial success from 1978 to 1987. They have had eighteen top 40 singles in the United States, and their group singing and guitar solos make them the perfect choice on karaoke night. They are largely still popular as middle-aged people reminisce on their maniac youth; their song Don't Stop Belivin' was one of the top selling singles on iTunes in 2006. (Though this was not, in fact, their highest charting single)
"You keep saying you got something for me, something you call love but confess..."
Nancy Sinatra is an American singer and actress mostly known for this 1966 single. She has performed other songs and duets with her father, the classic voice Frank Sinatra. The hit above was made in collaboration with UK record labels and came with a filmed image of Nancy in high boots and go-go dancers. The song was famously used in Austin Powers, if you were old enough to enjoy it when that movie released you're old enough to sing the single now.
"Yo, I'll tell you what I want, what I really, really want..."
The Spice Girls were an all British girl pop band who formed in 1994. Their band names came with pet titles from "Baby" to "Posh" and with Spice as their last name. This song was actually their first single when they signed with Virgin Records. It is impossible to get out of your head which led to it being a number one hit in 37 countries. It is also well recognized from a Youtube remake on FunnyOrDie; you can be tone deaf and get away with it for karaoke.
"You wanna get in my world, get lost in it, boy I'm tired of running, let's walk for a minute..."
Nelly Furtado is a Portuguese-Canadian singer songwriter who came out with her first album Whoa, Nelly! in 2000. This debut shot her to international recognition and had two top ten singles, one which earned her a Grammy. She has come out with six highly successful albums with the fourth being released in Spanish (Mi Plan-- 2009). She has sold over 40 million records worldwide and won numerous awards. This is a safe karaoke pick, everyone knows Furtado's songs from Loose (2006) by heart.
"I hope life treats you kind, And I hope you have all you've dreamed of..."
Dolly Parton is an American country singer and multi-instrumentalist. She was first a songwriter for others but made her own singing debut with Hello, I'm Dolly. She wrote this song and sang it in 1973, it is one of the most well remembered songs of the 3,000 she wrote and was later covered by Whitney Houston.She has won 9 Grammys and several Country Music awards including Entertainer of the Year. She is an off brand choice for karaoke but will prove rewarding.
"When the sun shines we shine together, told you I'd be here forever..."
Rihanna is a Barbadian singer who produced her first two albums through Jay-Z's Def Jam label. Her third studio album Good Girl Gone Bad (2007) proved an ultimate success and it was the first where she had creative control. She collaborated with Jay-Z for this single and it has been critically acclaimed by Time, Rolling Stone, and Entertainment Weekly. Not to mention everything Rihanna produces is gold. This was the song that shot the pop singer to international prominence. This hit single is a safe bet,Rihanna is everywhere.
"The taste of love is sweet, when hearts like ours meet, I fell for you like a child..."
Johnny Cash is a country singer whose songs also had elements of soul and rock and roll in them. "The Man in Black" often song about sorrow and redemption and infamously performed several concerts in the prisons up and down California's coast. He married June Carter and was most active in the 1960's. You should probably have a nice deep but full voice if you want to try to sing Johnny Cash, but it depends how drunk your friends are.
"Blue jean baby, LA lady, seamstress for the band..."
Elton John has sold more than 300 million records and is known for his own music and songwriting. He has won five Grammys and made the music for the Lion King, Aida, and Billy Elliot. "Candle in the Wind" a tribute to the late Princess Diana was the most purchased single in both the US and UK. He is an activist and has campaigned for the awareness and destigmatization of AIDS. People know Elton John, you can count on them singing along to this sentimental tune.
"Boy I wanna know, lyin' that you're sexing me, when everybody knows..."
Mariah Carey is an American singer, producer, and actress. She rose to fame in 1990 with the single "Vision of Love" as well as three other commercially successful singles. She was by far Columbia Records's highest selling act. In the later 1990's she transitioned from pop to more of a hip hop genre and signed an $100 million dollar contract with Virgin Records. Any 90's child will remember her hit singles, she is a safe bet for karaoke amongst these people.
"Summer lovin', had me a blast, summer lovin', happened so fast"
Grease is a 1978 film based on the musical and starring Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta. The soundtrack to this Hollywood hit was the best-selling album of that year and has stayed in popular memory, reaching the millennial generation through our parents and our teachers. Everyone remembers how cool boy Danny couldn't be seen at high school with his summer love Sandy because she'd cramp his style. Any Grease song is a safe bet, odds are others in the bar will sing along too.
"He's tellin' me more and more about some useless information, supposed to fire my imagination..."
The Rolling Stones are an English rock group who with the Beatles were known as the British Invasion of bands to the US in the 1960's. They spurred American counterculture movements in this decade and have been awarded numerous titles for best rock and roll band. They found inspiration for their rhythm in traditional blues and soul music. The music in this song will pretty much drown out your voice, it is a good bet also because people know the Stones.
"I've got sunshine on a cloudy day, when it's cold outside I've got the month of May..."
The Temptations were an R&B and soul group in the 1960's and 1970's who were known for their distinct harmonies. Originally from Detroit, they signed with Motown label in the early 1960's and have earned three Grammy Awards and inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The song above was their first US number 1 single. It is a difficult song because of the high notes, but would be great for karaoke if you happen to be friends with amazing singers who could back up your chorus.
"All the leaves are brown, and the sky is grey..."
The Mamas and the Papas are an American folk group who based their sound off of vocal harmonies. They captured the new beat style of the early 1960's and had seventeen singles with their 5 studio albums. The group consisted of a husband and wife and two friends and began singing background on a friend McGuire's album. They are a safe bet for karaoke as most people typically hum along to their music and hopefully this could drown our your tone deafness.
"The moment I wake up, before I put on my makeup..."
Dionne Warwick is an American singer, actress, and UN global ambassador. She had numerous popular singles in the rock era but initially began her singing career with gospel music. This is an ambitious but really fun song choice on karaoke night! In one of the best scenes of My Best Friend's Wedding everyone breaks out in this song over brunch. It was the song that won Warwick her first RIAA Certified Gold for over a million sales for the single.
"What you want, baby, I got it, what you need, do you know I got it..."
Otis Redding was a soul and R&B American singer, producer, and talent scout. He sought singing inspiration from gospel music. Funnily enough he was the original singer of the song above which he came out with in 1965. However, the hit was popularized by Aretha Franklin because her story carried more weight to American public. Franklin did not change Redding's lyrics much but they carry a different, more profound weight when she sings them. This is a safe bet for karaoke night because everyone can get in on this song.
"Let's get lost tonight, you could be my black Kate Moss tonight..."
Kanye West is a Chicago rapper, singer, and fashion designer. He rose to prominence as a producer at Roc-A-Fella Records until his debut rap album The College Dropout in 2004. The song above is from the mixtape Can't Tell Me Nothing and was one of the earlier Kanye single hits. The chorus is sampled from a Daft Punk single and Kanye's song won two Grammys for this song and an award for best hip hop video. Depending on how fast you can rap this is a good choice. Everyone will know the lyrics.
"Ain't no valley low, ain't no river wide enough baby..."
Marvin Gaye was an American singer and producer, he helped shaped the genre of Motown records in the 1960's. He was an extremely musical individual and inspired contemporary sub genres like quiet storm and neo soul. He was known as the "Price of Motown" or "Prince of Soul" but was shot before his time. This is a good pick for karaoke because even if people don't know the original (who doesn't?) they will recognize the melody and sound from co-opted later renditions.
"I'm down on my knees, I want to take you there..."
Madonna is an American singer and businesswoman who is largely credited as being one of the first female megastars. She is known for her explicit sexual lyrics and owning of female eroticism. The "Queen of Pop" came out with this single in 1989 as it was the title track of her upcoming album. The genre was pop rock that borrows religious themes, but taints them because she is singing about a lust for god. This is a safe bet of a song because although it came out over a decade ago it is resuscitated in her touring performances.
"And I've missed your ginger hair, and the way you like to dress, won't you come on over..."
The Zutons are an English indie rock band who came out with this song in 2006. It gave them their biggest joint single and their second UK top ten single. In 2007 the song was picked up by Mark Ronson and Amy Winehouse whose rendition shot past the original Zuton's. If you have the voice to pull this song off, do it. If not, please don't embarrass yourself-- there are long solo parts you do not want to get caught up in.
"On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair Warm smell of colitas, rising up through the air"
This song is a karaoke stapleand people tend to cringe a little when they figure out what's happening. It's not a bad tune by any means and is definitely a rock and roll classic, but it's also over 6 minutes and choosing super long songs in the karaoke world is a pretty big no no unless you're really good. If you can't guess the song by the opening lines, that's fine. If we could include the opening riff instead, we would!