by Robin White

Created on: April 23, 2008   Last Updated: May 05, 2008

We all remember our first kiss. We all remember our first real partner and I'll never forget my first car. But you know what, I'll also never forget the first time I got the stones to get up on stage and sing karaoke. I've done it a few times since and enjoy it without fail, but the first time will always stick out. It was at my graduation party a couple of years back and I'd been absolutely enchanted with one particular girl for the last 7 years of school. This was my last chance and I knew it and with one (drunken) fell sweep, up I stood, gulped down another beer and marched my way to the stage and proceeded to belt out an awe inspiring rendition of 'I love you baby'. I say awe inspiring, quite possibly only so if you're impressed by out of tune youth's with bad skin.

Luckily for me, that seemed to be exactly what impressed said girl and we left together that night.

Part of me will always remember that evening for that very reason, but I always get a guilty tang when I realize why else that night sticks out for me-I loved the karaoke. I'd always been relatively musical and had played live on stage several times and enjoyed it, but this was something else. There was no pressure, no expectation, no weight on me. This was the same buzz, the same feeling, but coupled with an absolute release. And I simply could not wait to do it again.

Two years on I remember it just as clearly and even to me it seems somewhat suspect. I remember the first time my girlfriend told me she loved me, my first apartment and my first pay check. Major achievements all three, but ranking up there with them, as clear as crystal is that night, those three minutes of release and absurdly good fun.

I wish every first was so easy and so free of embarrassment and awkwardness. How much simpler would it be if we could replace sex with karaoke? Losing my sing along virginity I can tell you was a darn sight less awkward than that other major adolescent event. Although there are some definite similarities between both actions. The more you practice, the better you become the more the feeling of embarassment fades. Although there is perhaps one deciding advantage of karaoke over sex.

On stage you'll almost certainly be applauded for stopping after three minutes.

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