“Did I ever tell you about that one time I sang karaoke in an Irish pub in Germany?”
No? Well, it’s not usually something I go around talking about, but man…shouldn’t this be my pickup line? Or at least how I introduce myself to new people? Okay, maybe not since karaoke is one of those things where you either love it or hate it: there’s no middle ground. I’m one of those who prefers to stay away from all things karaoke.
(or as I call it…croak-ee)
So…why did I sing karaoke and why did I think it was okay to tell the world about it?
Bottom line – it’s a good story and a great example of seizing life with both hands, hanging on, and enjoying the ride as it throws you off! Plus, it’s fun to read about other people’s experiences with singing karaoke in a foreign land, like Kristin from Be My Travel Muse.
Setting the stage:
Every Tuesday night in Kiel, Germany, the local Irish Pub, Pogue Mahone Gastronomie, hosts a karaoke night. Why? Who knows, but, then again, who sings better than people who have a little (or a lot) of alcohol in them? I’m sure it’s more to do with the fact that everyone’s inhibitions are lowered and nobody really cares that they sound like dying cats.
While we were in Germany for our study abroad, a lot of my classmates would go to karaoke night and would always rave about it the next day during class. They knew I liked to sing and used to sing in a German choir, and constantly invited me to go. While they were more interested in exploring Kiel’s local beverages and watering holes, I had other interests.
Tuesday nights in Kiel was Institute night for me. While I was in town, I would attend the local ward and institute with some of my friends, both from class and locals. I loved going and enjoyed having the feeling of a mini-routine for a time. I almost felt like I was home.
On the last Tuesday that we were all in Kiel together, I found myself trying to take a quick nap in my dorm (I averaged about 4.5 hours of sleep per night while in Europe, so by the end of my program…let’s say that I was feeling it). I woke up to a pounding on my door and a handful of classmates, almost pleading with me to go to the Pub for our last karaoke night.
I was super nervous and didn’t have any idea what I was going to sing. Not wanting to lose me, one of my classmates (let’s call him Nick) offered to sing a duet with me. He has a beautiful voice and I felt less awkward as we caught our bus.
Now…what to sing?
As we conspired on the bus, our suggestions to each other went from standard and common, to complete ridiculous and absurd.
Sonny and Cher? NO
Donny and Marie? NO
Iron Maiden? Haha, just kidding.
Phantom of the Opera? DING DING DING we have a winner! Oh yeah, we decided on singing “The Phantom of the Opera” and were full-on serious about it! Oh, and we were going to sing it in English. Not sure if that was a given or not. And why wouldn’t you expect to hear opera at a karaoke night?
When we reached the Pub, someone went up to the front and signed our names on the list for us. In the meantime, we started to practice. And what I mean by practice was pulling up the lyrics on our phones, walking up and down the street arm-in-arm, and singing at the top of our lungs. Nick was already a little smashed, and I was beginning to loosen up. I also found myself grinning like an idiot.
I was all smiles as we waltzed up and down the street. Quite a few people that were also milling about stopped to listen, dance, and clap for us. Although we did happen to hear some pounding on windows and some choice words in German coming through walls. Apparently the people living close to the Pub didn’t appreciate being serenaded by Phantom at (yikes!) 11pm.
We ran inside the Pub, giggling like little school girls, and found our way to the crowded back room. We were almost up. The crowd was so thick, you had to shove people out of your way just to breathe. Sweaty bodies, alcohol everywhere…this is why I choose not to go to clubs or out with a lot of my friends. Not my cup of tea. Or Dr. Pepper. Mm…I digress. The guys at the mic were horrible. I’ve blocked out the sounds that were emanating from their mouths, but it was probably some Backstreet Boys or New Kids on the Block ballad that they were trying to sing. My ears were bleeding.
Why did I agree to this?
Someone yelled that we were next.
To quote Kathy Griffin – “You know that pre-diarrhea feeling you get?” Yeah, I was between that and pure nausea. Why was I making this a big deal? I’m usually pretty fearless about stuff like this. I know how to sing. I’m comfortable in front of a group. Maybe it was a combination of things that made my heart jump into my throat when the MC called our names…instant sweat.
As Nick and I pushed our way to the stage, I could feel the other occupants in the room pounding on my back and shoulders. Was this out of pity? Were they encouraging us? At this point I could hold my own in a German conversation, but not when their words were slurring all over the place. For all I know, they could have been telling me my fly was down or I had a cat on my head. Who knows?!
We approach the MC, grab our mics, and turn and face the crowd. I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I felt like a mini celebrity at that moment. Bright spotlights blinded me. The crowd was pulsing like a mosh pit at an Avenged Sevenfold concert.
So it began. Andrew Lloyd Weber sounded in the speakers. For a second, the crowd hesitated, trying to figure out what was happening.
As soon as I sang the words “in sleep he sang to me,” the crowd lost it!
Nick and I just killed it! With every second that passed, I found my confidence building and building. Ridiculous high notes? Bring it!
The end of the song, as you might be aware, is a really really Really high part for the female singer. Lots of ahhhhhhs, with very little breathing.
To quote Fat Amy: “CRUSHED IT!”
By the time we finished, we were out of breath, sweating, and on Cloud 9. As a “thank you” for participating in the karaoke night, the Pub presented us with our complimentary shot of something clear. Not a drinker (remember that I’m a good little Mormon girl), I handed mine to Nick and went to find my friends. They had grabbed a table for us and ordered me a round of water! How awesome are they!?
So the moral of the story:
I still don’t like karaoke, but the experiences I had with my friends in the Pub will stay with me forever. The courage I found within as I walked onto the stage was palpable and helped me realize that even if I’m not in my comfort zone, I can have a blast!
PIN ME
