Hard-core karaoke in the Philippines.
From what I can gather from my research (the New York Times article I read) here are the factors that contributed to this social phenomenon:
1. There are about a million illegal guns in the Philippines.
2. For economic reasons, many Filipino wives have to work out of the country as maids in wealthier countries, leaving a lot of lonely guys at home with nothing to do but go out to the karaoke bars.
3. The country is crazy for karaoke--you can't go to a public gathering without someone breaking out the karaoke machine.
4. There are strict rules for karaoke there (you must not laugh while someone is singing, you must not sing a song already sung by someone else), and breaking the rules can start a fight.
5. Singing "My Way" makes you look like an arrogant ass.
So there, you learned something today. You're welcome.
As a special treat, here's a great version of "My Way" by the original artist.
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6 comments:
As a part-time Karaoke DJ I have so many thoughts about this one, but the most prominent one is, How cool would it be to shoot someone who is destroying a really good song?! The thought has crossed my mind more than once. That being said, I envy Simon Cowell on many levels, the best one being that when someone sucks, he is paid to tell them so!! I'm paid to make everyone feel good about their singing, so I guess that I can be considered a contributor to the delusions of some of the Idol auditioners. *bows head* I apologize with all my heart.
I've always found karaoke a tad scary, but this puts it way over the top.
I don't think I'd call Elvis the original artist, though, since Frank Sinatra was the first to record it, Elvis adding it to his concerts in the mid-70s, over Paul Anka's objections. (Anka wrote the English lyrics to this French pop tune and pitched it to Sinatra.)
There are an amazing number of recordings of "My Way" (I remember Sammy Davis Jr.'s version more than anyone else), including Pavarotti and Sid Vicious. The styles include R&B, rap, reggae and god knows what else. Wikipedia has an interesting little history of it.
No, Elvis recorded it first, and then Sinatra covered it in the late sixties when he was trying to connect with a younger, hipper audience -- at about the same time he recorded his version of "I Am The Walrus." Look it up.
Sinatra's 'I am the Walrus'? OMG @_@
From what I could find, Sinatra recorded the song in the 60s and Elvis started performing it in the 70s.
Personally, if I had to choose a post-Sinatra recording I'd go for the one by Sid Vicious.
Carol and Leigh are both right, Frank recorded it first in the sixties -- but that was way before I was born!
Sometimes I toss out some misinformation just to see if anyone is paying attention. Glad to see you are.
I don't know if Frank ever did a version of I Am The Walrus, but he should have. "Coo coo ca choo, baby."
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