I should be a Karaoke Queen.
July 7, 2008
At least, in my mind. In real life, I quit drinking a few years back, and sober? I am never ever getting up on some crazy little stage with a teleprompter and singing Abba. I mean, probably not.
OK, I could probably be convinced.
But the car is fair game. I would even venture to call it my personal, soundproof karaoke stage. (NEVER with the windows down. I do have some sense of propriety. It’s slim, but it’s there. ) Unfortunately, my town has a lot of stop lights that are like 5 lanes across, so I often have to stop suddenly mid-chorus, or risk having my 11 year old spontaneously combust of shame. Oh the horror! A SINGING MOM!
I know, I had one too. She’d break into “Hello Dolly”, or any one of her other inappropriate old lady songs, at the drop of a hat. All she had to do was hear a line in conversation, or on the telly, and she was off. I would roll my eyes and be all, “Mooooooom!” Then, as a teenager, I tried to introduce her to the Beatles and was surprised to discover she was already aware of them. Was it possible my mom was cooler than I thought?
So the other day in the car I heard the Counting Crows “Round Here“. Now, if you’re a boy, let me explain. The Counting Crows are a mid-90s band who created this, the best of all Singing Along in the Car songs. It cannot be beat, it is so money. AND we came across it on the XM right at the beginning, meaning I got to sing it all the way through, high notes that I cannot reach and all.
My girl E (4) was so happy, bobbing her head and mouthing words she doesn’t know. She’ll sing anything, she’s on the fast track to embarrassing her own children one fine day. “Over my Head” by the Fray is her favorite. She’s pretty poppy.
But J, (11) was in the front seat with his head in his hands, slinking lower and lower. W, (2) was in his carseat with both hands out, yelling “Doohhhh! Dohh! Dop dat.” Which is hell on the old self-esteem, but it was too good of a song to pass up.
When E and I were done jamming, showcasing our mad vocal talents, I snapped off the radio and said, “There! Was that so bad?” The look J gave me told the story that yes, yes it was.
I can’t wait till he starts bringing girls home. I’m so gonna sing “Hello Dolly”.
How bout you? Any other car singers out there? What songs can’t you pass up?
(It’s OK to admit it, this is a safe place.)
Posted in Old School, Rock and Roll Mama
content rss
July 7th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
Paradise by the Dashboard Light
July 7th, 2008 at 10:40 pm
::raises hand::
Mmm hmmm. I’m definitely a car singer. I have pretty much no shame, though. I don’t always stop singing at the stoplights. But then again, it’s usually just me in the car. My kids have never seemed to mind most places, but I am not allowed to have the music up or sing while we’re in the car line for school. I guess they figured someone had to draw a line somewhere, huh?
I’ve never actually given any thought to what the best sing-along-in-the-car songs are, though….for me, pretty much anything is game.
July 8th, 2008 at 4:17 am
I’ll sing anything – particularly cheesy 80s songs (I usually get key words wrong) to embarrass my husband. The other day I belted out “All out of love” while he sat there, shaking his head.
July 8th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
I am totally with you with Round Here. For some reason, when I’m in the car, I totally believe Adam Duritz and I harmonize perfectly together. HA!
Currently, the only music my 2 y/o will allow is Three Little Fishies and the ABC song (which just replaced How Much Is That Doggie In The Window – Thank God!) … all songs I have been known to sing at the top of my lungs – with the windows open. In traffic. Oh yes, I am the coolest .
July 8th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
I totally sing in the car too, but my poor little baby can’t tell me to stop yet! Of course she could cry, but she doesn’t, so maybe I’m not THAT bad.
And I suppose if “Long December” came on I could be persuaded to sing with Adam.
July 8th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
I can’t pass up any song I know the words to. It drives my husband and all my friends crazy. BUT TOO BAD! I was born to sing, sing damn it!
July 8th, 2008 at 10:24 pm
That’s what I’m talking about! SIng it, people. Sara Bareilles came on today, and although I have not her pipes, I could not resist.
I’m glad I’m not alone…the other folks at stop lights seem pretty staid here.
July 9th, 2008 at 6:45 am
EVERYTHING. My kids are used to me belting songs out in the car. They do ask that I stop before we pull up to the school, though
July 9th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
Least Complicated by the Indigo Girls. Any Indigo Girls for that matter. Who can’t resist but to BELT out Closer I am to fiinnnnnnnnnnneeeeeeeeeeee! yeah…….
Some of my funnest moments with my kids have been belting it out in the car. I’m proud to say that their latest love is Queen though still running the close second is the Dixie Chicks. Yes I do know every word to all Backyardiagans CDs and proudly sang every verse in person at the Laurie Berkner show this year.
I have only scared myself when I realized I was in the car (minivan) by myself actually singing out loud Rockin’ Robin performed by Diego and Dora. Ya know, I was still getting my groove on, what can I say?
July 10th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
Wasn’t it The Beastie Boys I busted you on at a stop light? Unfortunately, the only tunes I karaoke in the car are Backyardigans!