Most of us know who Jim Morrison is, and well, you're no Jim Morrison. But why should that stop you from throwing back a few shots of whiskey and belting out "L.A. Woman" to a crowd of smiling people?
Over the years, karaoke has remained an immensely popular activity, particularly in bars and restaurants. There's just something about taking the stage - or forcing a shy friend on stage - to sing your favorite tunes while the words are displayed on a TelePrompTer. The show consistently draws in customers - many who are ready to treat or torture the audience with renditions of anything from Sinatra to Sir Mix-a-Lot.
"It's such a good way to get out and have fun - I love it," said Shelli Lamb, who hosts karaoke at The Nuthouse Sports Grill, 420 E. Michigan Ave. in Lansing. "There is no other job where I would get to party with my friends."
Lamb, who runs the karaoke company Tune in a Bucket, said the Nuthouse's Tuesday karaoke nights make for great entertainment.
"One of the girls who works there, we had to force to compete," she said. "Man, she had a set of pipes on her. When people love it, it makes a great environment.
"It's a way to vent your frustrations."
The mass appeal of karaoke has given trained and amateur singers alike a place to go and croon to friends and strangers. Karaoke does not discriminate, so even the most tone-deaf of vocalists get their shot in the limelight.
Paul Stewart, who has hosted karaoke at Crunchy's, 254 W. Grand River Ave., for three years, said the bar gets some of its best business through its Thursday and Friday karaoke nights.
"The place gets pretty packed. It's usually a lot of regulars," Stewart said. "We run a contest here and there. Sometimes it's to see who can sing, sometimes it's about people making a fool of themselves."
Dagwood's Tavern and Grill, 2803 E. Kalamazoo St. in Lansing, usually has a packed house for its Monday karaoke nights. Crowds of people young and old pack into the bar on a regular basis, singing anything from the B-52s' "Love Shack" to sentimental group renditions of John Denver's "Leaving on a Jet Plane." As the night progresses and bar tabs rise, people seem to lose their inhibitions by taking the microphone, belting out their favorite songs and adding personal touches.
Lansing resident Erin Carter, who frequents Dagwood's, tries to put in a Boyz II Men-type dedication of love or good luck in every song.
"It's all tongue-in-cheek," she said. "There are all these cheesy songs that everyone knows the words to. Why not cater to the audience?"
After a whimsical performance of Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time" by Carter, she said the friendly atmosphere at Dagwood's makes it much easier to perform, whether you take it seriously or just see it as a way to have a little fun.
Economics senior Rob McElmurry said he participates in karaoke at Dagwood's about once a month.
"If you're a singer this is one day you can sing music for people. You don't get to sing with a band that often," said McElmurry after a spirited, crowd-pleasing rendition of Stevie Wonder's "Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing." He managed to hit all the high notes.
McElmurry, a trained singer, said his karaoke performances are as sporadic as they are random.
"Stevie is my staple," he said. "I sing whatever comes to mind. I never do the same thing twice."
But whether you're a trained singer, a fan of music, or just drunk enough to throw your apprehension out the window, karaoke has remained one of the most mysteriously popular activities of tavern hoppers. We've all got songs in our heads and for a brief second, karaoke allows you a chance to put those songs into others' heads - whether you can sing or not.
