“Time After Time”
by Cyndi Lauper w/ Sarah McLachlan
from The Body Acoustic
2005
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Cyndi Lauper, or at least my appreciation of her, is in the fine wine/better with age category for me. I didn’t have MTV growing up, but this song is one of the songs I associate with the times I got to watch it at a relative’s, and it was always my favorite of her hits.
“Oh Sherrie”
by Steve Perry
from the album Street Talk
1984
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This was inspired by Lance’s selection for the day, in that it also falls firmly in the category of “I randomly heard or thought of this song one day and remembered how awesome it is and holy crap I can totally hear myself singing this and I’m going to bust this out at karaoke next time!”
“Your Love”
by The Outfield
from the album Play Deep
1985 Sony
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I tried to sing this song a couple of times at karaoke and completely botched it. The song has such a high register, even for me. I had given up all hope until I heard a buddy sing it a couple of octaves lower. It took on a completely different vibe – almost sinister. I’m still trying to master it, but it’s so fun giving it a shot.
“I Don’t Wanna Be An Asshole Anymore”
by The Menzingers
from Rented World
2014
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There will be another post where I expound on just how goddamn good the last Menzingers album is, but their new album just came out this week, and this song has caught me, and I completely love the video for it.
Continue reading The Menzingers: “I Don’t Wanna Be An Asshole Anymore”
“Train in Vain”
by The Clash
from the album London Calling
1979 CBS
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This is one of those karaoke songs I sing just for myself. No one else has ever come up and been like “YEAH!” In fact I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone say anything after this goes down. It just goes quietly into the night and that’s totally fine.
The first time I heard “Train in Vain” was in my friend Seedless’ car. Continue reading Karaoke Tuesday: “Train In Vain”
“Punk Rock Girl”
by The Dead Milkmen
from the album Beelzebubba
1988
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I’m not sure when or why I first sang this at karaoke, but it’s been one of my staples for quite a while. I never got into the Dead Milkmen, with the exception of this song, which I always loved. Fun fact – I always had a friend do “Stuart” from the same album as a monologue in acting class.
It’s a testament to why I love my core karaoke crew so much, because I can pick this song, and not only will they know it (which is incredibly rare in that kind of setting), but they love it and back me up on the chorus. And man, is this a fun song to sing and bounce around to.
“Never Let Me Down Again”
by The Smashing Pumpkins (originally by Depeche Mode)
from the album Siamese Dream [Deluxe Edition]
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All week long I had been planning on a Pumpkins selection for #CoverFriday and then Chris up and did the same thing. And while I absolutely adore “Landslide” — I’d even go so far as to call it superior to the original — I had a different track in mind. Continue reading Cover Friday: “Never Let Me Down Again”
“Hungry Like The Wolf”
by Reel Big Fish (originally by Duran Duran)
from the album The Duran Duran Tribute Album
1997 Koch Records
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I’ve had a few drinks and some Mexican queso fries so I’m feeling a bit silly. This is a totally fun ska cover of a Duran Duran classic (and Lance karaoke staple). It takes a song that should be fun to begin with and makes it a total riot.
“Good Times”
by INXS w/Jimmy Barnes
from the soundtrack to The Lost Boys
1987
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I was really worried about this month’s theme when Chris suggested it, but I’ve adopted a new policy of not questioning a creative group decision – just go with it. Of course it helped when this track came up on shuffle. Plus, Chris will love the irony. For my first #AprilDuets section, I’ve chosen “Good Times” featuring the vocal stylings of Michael Hutchence from INXS and a dishwasher* named Jimmy Barnes.
At 98, we all rotate.
“Mediate”
by INXS
from the album Kick
1987
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I had a different song in mind for our first #KaraokeTuesday, but then the background writing in Lance’s choice triggered this one for me (coincidentally released the same year as his Love and Rockets choice).