Why is Karaoke So Popular
The Karaoke phenomenon is 40 this year. Always at the cutting edge of technology, Japan celebrates four decades of this often mind numbing attraction.
Origins
It was invented in 1971 by Japanese musician Daisuke Inoue. The original Karaoke machine was a homemade tape recorder that accepted a 100 yen coin and used by Inoue’s fans who wanted to sing along to his music outside of their usual dining haunt where he played.
Forty years on and that tape recorder is now a stand alone and complete entertainment system, used at home and in restaurants and bars around the world. With cheap machines still fetching around $70-$100, the top units cost thousands. These are usually owned by Karaoke DJ’S, who make a living from the craze.
Karaoke Today
The Karaoke culture has led to some intriguing innovations. It is now possible to have Karaoke on your mobile phone and is a popular video game. The quest to become the greatest singer is or has been available on Nintendo, PlayStation and Xbox machines. Youtube is a popular online paradise for Karaoke lovers.
In various Asian countries including China and Japan, whole entertainment venues are devoted to Karaoke. The Karaoke Box is an enclosed feature where the user can hire out the facility to sing in private and if required, record ones creation onto DVD.
Karaoke Killings
It is not all fun and games however. In some Asian countries there have been several Karaoke killings. Irate listeners, apparently unable to tolerate the amateur entertainers, lash out. Surprisingly, most Karaoke killings appear to be over the Frank Sinatra song ‘My Way’.
Karaoke World Championship
Considering Karaoke’s amateur participants and the ability to sing badly, one of the most surprising developments is the Karaoke World Championships. Originating in Finland in 2003 the competition is popular around the world. Indeed, in some countries the finals are a major TV show with celebrities and royalty involved in hosting the event. Thailand is a prime example of this.
The top 25 British Karaoke choices are:
Waterloo, performed by Abba, written by Benny Andersson & Bjoern Ulvaeus
Bohemian Rhapsody, Queen, Freddie Mercury
My Way, Frank Sinatra, Claude Francois & Jacques Revaux / Paul Anka
I Will Survive, Gloria Gaynor, Frederick Perren & Dino Fekaris
Dancing Queen, Abba, Benny Andersson & Bjoern Ulvaeus
Angels, Robbie Williams, Robbie Williams & Guy Chambers
Like a Virgin, Madonna, Billy Steinberg & Kelly Thomas
It’s Raining Men, Weather Girls, Paul Jabara & Paul Shaffer
Summer Nights, Olivia Newton John & John Travolta, Jim Jacobs & Casey Warren
I Should Be So Lucky, Kylie Minogue, Mike Stock, Matt Aitken & Peter Waterman
Don’t Go Breaking My Heart, Elton John & Kiki Dee, Elton John & Bernie Taupin
Sweet Caroline, Neil Diamond, Neil Diamond
American Pie, Don MacLean, Don MacLean
Killing Me Softly, Roberta Flack, Charles Fox & Norman Grimble
Hey Jude, The Beatles, John Lennon & Paul McCartney
Don’t Stop Me Now, Queen, Freddie Mercury
(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction, Rolling Stones, Mick Jagger & Keith Richards
Delilah, Tom Jones, Barry Mason & Les Reed
New York, New York, Liza Minnelli/ Frank Sinatra, Fred Ebb & John Kander
Total Eclipse of the Heart, Bonnie Tyler, Jim Steinman
Livin’ La Vida Loca, Ricky Martin, Draco Rosa & Desmond Child
Livin’ on a Prayer, Bon Jovi, Jon Bon Jovi
I’m a Believer, Monkees, John Stewart
Love Shack, B-52s, Catherine Pierson, Fred Schneider, J Strickland, Cynthia Wilson
River Deep Mountain High, Ike and Tina Turner, Phil Spector, Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich
Source www.telegraph.co.uk/news/6736491/Official-Top-25-karaoke-songs.html
Future of Karaoke
So how will Karaoke develop in the future? The latest technological innovation being developed by the Filipines is a machine that can be controlled by tapping your forearm. By wearing an armband that the Karaoke machine detects, you could potentially read song lyrics and make selections by a simple pat. This maybe a little more convenient than standing up in front of a microphone but how much fun would this take away from the original concept of Karaoke?