by Tim Higgins

Created on: April 22, 2008   Last Updated: May 05, 2008

"Go on, everyone else has" was the recurring theme around the table. It was the Christmas party for the restaurant where I worked, and even on shift there's never a shortage of (mostly dubious) singing escaping from the kitchens. After another drink, I thought, why not? So, before I knew it, the song list was in my lap and I found one of my all time favorites, 'Losing My Religion' by REM. Two songs later I was on stage and the famous mandolin intro had just kicked off the song...

This was when I realized that as much as I enjoyed LISTENING to the song, I knew precious little of the words after the first line. Despite the words clearly displayed on the small monitor at my feet, I experienced a moment's panic before having the sense to concentrate on where the words changed color and keep going. Like a true (but partially drunk) pro, I did my best attempt at Mr Stipe's odd vocal phrasing whilst trying not to think about how appalling I was. Never again!

Finally, towards the end, I used a repeat of the chorus as an opportunity to look up at my doubtlessly disappointed colleagues, only to find them dancing and smiling. They loved this song too, and were behaving - to my astonishment - the same way they would had the original recording been played in a bar. The wild cheers I received at the conclusion of my performance proved that only one person had notices any mistakes or musical slip-ups - me.

At this point, I remembered how 'off center' everyone else's renditions had been that night, and finally saw the light. After years of avoiding karaoke for fear of the same embarrassing ordeal that I had just undergone, I understood the point of karaoke at a party. To have FUN. And I had. I sang again, as did almost everyone else, and since then, I've often been one of the first on the stage at following karaoke events.

Never done it? Try it - you'll be surprised at the confidence it gives you, not to mention the fun you'll have. Just stick to up tempo numbers and dance like you're having a good time, and very quickly you will be!

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