“Under the Milky Way”
The Church
from the album Starfish
1988
Buy the album on Amazon

I’ve never quite nailed  this song to my satisfaction but it’s had a firm position in my karaoke song list for a few years.  As to when it made its first appearance, it was almost assuredly a drunken addition one evening at a NYC basement karaoke bar.  But the song weaseled its way into my heart a long time before that.

One of my most-treasured albums back in the day was the cutting-edge disc Never Mind the Mainstream: The Best of MTV’s 120 Minutes – which was like a portable episode of the best Sunday night show ever.  “Under the Milky Way” was definitely a highlight on a disc of highlights.  

Sometimes when this place gets kind of empty
Sound of their breath fades with the light
I think about the loveless fascination
Under the Milky Way tonight

Lower the curtain down on Memphis
Lower the curtain down all right
I got no time for private consultation
Under the Milky Way tonight

[Chorus]
Wish I knew what you were looking for
Might have known what you would find
Wish I knew what you were looking for
Might have known what you would find

And it’s something quite peculiar
Something shimmering and white
Leads you here despite your destination
Under the Milky Way tonight

[Chorus]

Under the Milky way tonight
Under the Milky Way tonight

That first verse completely applies to a midweek, late night karaoke outing, once the ringers from the drama school have gone home, and the only people left are you, your best friend and that weird guy sitting alone at the bar who loves every song you’re singing, but never gets up himself.  Bonus points if the disco ball is still turning.