Tunes for Tuesdays: Karaoke Edition

I am dangerous around a karaoke machine. With a microphone in hand, and sanitized versions of 90s pop songs queued up, I will rock the faces off of all present.

I am the person who harmonizes while you're singing.

I am also the lovely lady who cheers for everyone who put themselves out there with their favourite song.

I am a Karaoke Queen.

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So, I was inspired to write this post after Ship Sharp discussed one of her goals on her 101 in 1001 list. Ms. Ship wants to conquer karaoke, sober. As a rabid enthusiast of the form, I am SO THERE for a karaoke night. Serious. I'm a shy lady in most settings, and I would never dream of unleashing these vocals on others.... unless I am in a karaoke setting. I don't know what it is -- magic? fairy dust? roofies?

Who knows.

What I do know is my so-called "Golden List" -- without fail, these are the songs I will be falling over myself to sing. Given the nature of this blog (and the sheer volume of this list), I will focus on the top favourite female singers in my arsenal.

Sing along if you know the words....

Spice Girls, "Say You'll Be There"

Edit: Follow the link for a clearer version of the video --> WOOT!

Despite the poor video quality, the music evokes the eternal 11-year-old in me. Spice Girls are a staple of karaoke, that's just how it is. This one is fun for duets -- alternate who sings the verses, then tag team for the chorus. Spice Girls tracks are excellent for the warm-up to ease yourself into an all-night karaoke spree.

Lady Gaga, "Paparazzi"

Alright, so Gaga is a recent addition to the karaoke roster. "Paparazzi" suits my voice the most, though "Bad Romance" is a close second. I like this one for its slightly pompous edge and it's stalk-me glamour.

All Saints, "Pure Shores"

I know, it's a random one -- out of all the All Saints singles, I had to pick "Pure Shores." I'm not even sure how I stumbled across it as a karaoke classic for me. All I know is, the song fits my range and sounds awesome when it's one voice instead of four. Plus, it fulfills more of that 90s quota I require.

Faith Evans, "Love Like This"

Oh, Faith Evans -- what a gorgeous voice, and such an adorably danceable song. How can anyone feel upset after hearing this track? The happiness-inducing properties contained in the music make it an ideal selection for a night of karaoke with the gals.

Dusty Springfield, "Son of a Preacher Man"

Mmm, Dusty Springfield -- even if the song's about a dude, we all know Ms. Springfield dreamt of a gal all along. This song is irresistible, so be prepared to fight off all the other ladies if you've got your heart set on this number.

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Margggh, there is not enough room in this post to outline all the tracks I'd want to do. It's at the point where I should just download karaoke versions of these songs to tide me over. At least I have a cold right now -- it prevents me from inflicting karaoke upon the world.

So, how about you, dear reader? What songs are on your Golden List? How hard would you fight to perform your favourite tracks?

Tunes for Tuesdays: Shot of Summer Singles

Let the cascade of searing summer singles commence. With our daylight hours at their longest and our nights sparkling with the promise of new adventure, artists are vying for that elusive spot on everyone's summer playlist.

This week, a stunning collection of women are laying those critical foundations for the first few weeks of hot weather music.

Check 'em out:

M.I.A. - "Teqkilla"

Her music defies the tight confines of genre and is at once explosive and precise. M.I.A. kicked down the blockade of the North American music scene with her tight track, "Paper Planes," from her second full-length album, Kala (2007), and now, she's poised to conquer once again. "Teqkilla" assaults the senses with its clash of sound and its sensual, pulsing drum line. Its dissonance disorients even while its back beats offer a clear rhythm to dance to. M.I.A. delivers a wall of sound to thrash through and a set of lyrics to disrupt complacent thought. Her new album, MAYA, is scheduled for a July 13th release and her single promises another summer filled with M.I.A.

Estelle - "Fall In Love"

Estelle is notorious for her glittery, upbeat brand of R'n'B-meets-pop that simply epitomizes the fresh sunlight of a summer afternoon. She delivers once again with her latest single, "Fall In Love," a carefree track overflowing with the promise of new love and late evenings spent on the dance floor. She dispels the stress of the day-to-day with the mellow spark of her voice and the clever, sci-fi-inspired inflections sprinkled throughout her music. Now, this particular track is a compelling one -- multiple versions exist at the moment. If listeners are partial to rap, check out her duet with Nas. Or, for that smoother sound, check out the version she created with John Legend. For purists, she even offers a solo set of vocals. I admit, I'm partial to the third version -- with a voice like hers, I want to savour each verse.

Faith Evans feat. Snoop Dogg - "Way You Move"

Hmm, so -- not thrilled with Snoop Dogg's appearance on this track. I want to make that clear. Nonetheless, I still pledge my everlasting dedication to the gorgeous voice of Faith Evans. Her vocals float so effortlessly across the pulsing bass lines of her music. She is living proof of the limitless power a breathy, soul-edged feminine voice has over a gal like me. Once again, she proves how compelling that pull is with "Way You Move," a drifting, 90s-inspired track headlining her sixth studio album, Something About Faith, set for a September 14th release date. Her hiatus is broken and it is sweet to see her return to the scene.

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We've got a solid start here and a whole host of light, airy, danceable summer albums on the docket for weeks ahead. It's time to pour the ice tea and escape to the patio with a stereo in hand -- it's time to amplify the season, I believe.