I always kill at karaoke. Ā I have the kind of voice that is great if Iām singing along to something, but not good for much else. Ā So when I saw an ad forĀ ālive bandā karaoke, I figured I had found my calling. Ā
Live band karaoke is pretty much exactly what it sounds like. Ā Itās karaoke, but instead of performing onstage with a backing track, you perform on stage in front of a live band. Ā Which sounds awesome... right?
The song options werenāt as extensive at most karaoke bars because it had to be a song the band knew how to play. Ā I chose the song Jack & Diane by John Mellencamp.
When it came my turn to sing I noticed something. Ā There was no teleprompter. Ā They handed me the lyrics on a sheet of paper. Ā That seemed okay, until the band started. Ā Then suddenly I realized I didnāt really know Jack & Diane THAT well. Ā I had no idea when the vocals Ā were supposed to come in.
The band started playing, and then just kept playing, and kept playing... Ā The guitarist gave me a look that seemed to sayĀ āummm.... you know youāre supposed to do the singing part, right?ā
Finally I just started singing.
Little ditty about Jack and Diane.
The guitarist furiously shook his head. Ā I skipped ahead.
Suckin' on chili dogs outside the tastee freeze.
He shook his head again. Ā Which led to this conversation, on a stage, into a microphone, in front of a bar full of people.
āNo? Ā Okay, ummm, how about...Ā Let's run off behind a shady trees? Ā Still no? Ā Let me do what I please? Ā Wait, wait, I think I got it. Ā This is the chorus right? Ā Oh yeah, life goes on. Ā Long after the thrill of livin' is gone. Ā Nope, nope. Ā I missed it again. Ā Can we start over?ā
It was the longest four minutes and sixteen seconds of my life.
Finally the song ended. Ā I had probably gotten a total of six words right. Ā I quickly bowed and jumped off stage. Ā The guitarist wiped sweat off his face.
āThat was Jessie everybody. Ā Jessie.ā
There was some uncomfortable, scattered applause. Ā I left the bar in shame. Ā I guess Iām still looking for my calling.
Hereās my confidence level before the song started. Ā Iām lip synching along to Umbrella as the band tunes up:
Hereās me trying to figure out when Iām supposed to start singing:
Hereās me staring at the lyrics with panic, while getting the words wrong once again. Ā The guitar player looks concerned:
Notice the clenched fist of anxiety:
And, finally, notice me give up on the lyrics sheet, and any possibility of retaining my dignity, and just sort of humming along: