How’s Writing Like Karaoke?
What do good writers and good karoke singers have in common?
After being away from karaoke for over a year I went back a few weeks ago on a Friday night to my favorite karaoke bar. The name of the bar is Del’s. It’s a twenty minute walk from my apartment. I live in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh about eight blocks from the main campus of the University of Pittsburgh. Del’s is in Bloomfield, Pittsburgh’s “Little Italy.” For years I was a regular at Del’s for karaoke and the place got to be the place to be in Pittsburgh for karaoke on a Friday night. There were a lot of characters in the place on Friday nights and I was one of them with my freshly shaved face and head and I usually wore black work boots, blue jeans and a black jersey and a bandanna around my bald head. The photo for this article is of me several years ago with a friend at a Doors tribute band concert in Oakland.
When I was younger I put in years singing in rock and roll bands. I developed a stage persona that was Jim Morrison intense and I could mimic the voices of Morrison and Eric Burton to a T. I did a pretty good Paul Rogers, too.
But the bands never went anywhere so I ended up singing karaoke.
I stopped going to karaoke at Del’s because I took early social security so I could write full time and I couldn’t afford to lay down twenty dollars every Friday night singing, socializing and boozing at Del’s. Plus, the owners at Del’s brought in several big-screen TVs which they left on muted while karaoke was in session. For me, karaoke has never been the same at Del’s.
But the recent Friday night when I did go back, it all came back to me. It was like old times. My first song was “It’s My Life” by The Animals and I could still hit all the notes and my stage presence was as intense and wild as ever. I have to drink beer to carry on like that. Alcohol lessens inhibitions. I always thought that one of the reasons my karaoke performances are so popular is because I perform without inhibitions. My performances are always the wildest of all the singers. This seems to allow all the other performers to let it all hang out too, to not be afraid. A good karaoke singer puts himself or herself out there. All good writers put themselves out there, too.
Karaoke and writing have a great deal in common.
Compressionism: The Pittsburgh Stories by Guy Hogan is ready for downloading.
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Tags: Del's, karaoke, Oakland, Pittsburgh, stories, University of Pittsburgh, write, writer, Writers, Writing
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April 16th, 2010 at 3:40 am
It is so in everything we do in this world, and more so in a thing that required the use of brain like writing. I strongly believe you.
April 16th, 2010 at 3:51 am
I had never into this karaoke but when someone is is fully involved in something there is thrill and excitement. And so i agree with your idea of Karaoke and Writing have a great deal in common.
April 16th, 2010 at 4:42 am
Alcohol never improve one’s singing ability and I always thought the same was true for writing. However, King said he stayed so drunk he has no recollection of even writing “Kujo.”
April 16th, 2010 at 7:54 am
A strange relationship indeed.
April 16th, 2010 at 8:56 am
Ken, I don’t think it’s so much that alcohol improves one’s ability to sing but there are any number of assertions by very well known singers and even great singers who say if it wasn’t for alcohol, or some other drug, they would never have had the nerve to get up on a stage to perform in front of dozens, hundreds and even thousands of people. Jim Morrison and Billie Holiday come to mind. There are many others. That’s one of the reasons they get hooked on their drug of choice. They feel they can’t perform without it. And in a way they can’t. This is not to down play the destructiveness of alocohol. But it does lower inhibitions. It does allow the performer to put himself or herself out there. It’s an interesting contradiction.
April 16th, 2010 at 9:07 am
Yes, writing and singing have a great deal in common. We give our best. I do agree also that alcohol may at least lessen the inhibitions, this is what I have observed from people who loves karaoke, it’s their strength. As for writing, well, obviously I can’t write if I’m drunk, lol.
April 16th, 2010 at 9:23 am
nice one
April 16th, 2010 at 9:47 am
Good post, and I do sorta see the similarities with the two. However some say that drinking brings out the best in them, I guess it depends on the person, and it’s true alcohol can be a badge of courage.
April 16th, 2010 at 10:28 am
Do not partake of spirits never have but I am a darn good kareoker and up and coming scribbler.
April 16th, 2010 at 10:52 am
I loved this story. I like how you relate writing to karoke. Love that song It’s my life and the doors too.
April 16th, 2010 at 11:27 am
I agree with you
If everyone can, check out my profile, I have some really interesting articles that have informative information. There is a new one on there called Watch The Worl Burn which everyone needs to read! Its important. no BS
https://www.triond.com/users/lyricinaire
April 16th, 2010 at 11:48 am
I’ve seen this picture before on yahoo 360.. years ago what a small world:}
April 16th, 2010 at 12:11 pm
I would have never thought of comparing writing to karaoke. Another interesting piece, Guy. You need to put up a video of you singing. lol.
April 16th, 2010 at 12:32 pm
Well, Guy I never thought I’d manage to read all of this as me and Karaoke never got intimate, the truth I have never sat through a whole karaoke show but your post kept me rooted maybe there is hope for me and karaoke yet. cheers.
April 16th, 2010 at 12:41 pm
Seriously speaking, talent in one field translates into the other, therein lies the link perhaps.Great picture, and its great when things come back to you and it does!
April 16th, 2010 at 4:04 pm
Interesting way Guy.
April 16th, 2010 at 4:36 pm
I don’t think drinking improves your singing it only makes your think it has improved. I had to stop having a drink at dance functions because I get too silly and my kicks look like a dog hiking on a bush.
April 16th, 2010 at 9:50 pm
I’ll go with the majority here…alkyhol and singin’ don’ go together. (Pam, thanks for the image of the high-kicks). Rehearsal will take care of fear 9 times out of 10. Of course, there is that tenth time, when you look out at the audience and your fingers on the guitar strings turn to wood, and your voice becomes a squeak…but smile big, and keep on going, it will usually come out all right. keep up the singing.
April 17th, 2010 at 9:54 am
This is interesting also:
http://scienceray.com/earth-sciences/geology/when-will-the-yellowstone-supervolcano-erupt/
April 17th, 2010 at 10:12 am
A good write Guy, I can’t sing a note sober or drunk, I don’t even sing in the shower. I can see the comparison though, alcohol does lower your inhibitions. I enjoy writing with a glass of wine or a small Vodka. Drug taking does appear to go hand in hand with rock bands. My favourite band of the 70s was Blondie now I don’t think they were ever sober or not stoned!. LB
April 17th, 2010 at 3:29 pm
For performing on the stage, you need to have guts and probably drinking removes self doubt and inhibitions. Writing ( in general and especially at Triond) doesn’t need all kind of deceptive tricks. You just need to give your best: the passion counts.
April 17th, 2010 at 6:52 pm
Interesting analogy. I usually sing at home only.
April 18th, 2010 at 3:17 am
I like karaoke. Videoke in the Philippines is a way of life and I have made perfect scores singing a bit from Humperdinck and Matt Monro. Nice share, Guy.
April 18th, 2010 at 3:19 am
Both talents are a product of hard work and love for the art, both of those are art. Both are product of commitment with what are they doing. The most common thing about them is that, when they do their job, they always touched someone’s heart.
April 18th, 2010 at 3:47 am
Yeah, karaoke and writing both help us express ourselves and loosen our inhibitions–singing and writing our hearts out. Nice analogy, Guy.
April 18th, 2010 at 6:44 am
this is in hot content now! go take a look!
April 23rd, 2010 at 11:16 am
Nice article too…thanks for the comment
April 26th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
we are creative and fun!
May 8th, 2010 at 11:59 pm
I have never thought to look at either in such a light but I can see your point.