A star is(n't) born

A photo that has nothing whatsoever to do with karaoke

Even though karaoke has died a bit of a death in the UK, it is still big business in Japan, its homeland. And even though it has taken me since 2005 to try it here, I think it should probably be compulsory. Because while in the UK and elsewhere you can go to a bar and embarrass yourself in public, here in Japan you can go one better by booking a private booth where you can choose from an enormous selection of music, order food and drink, and howl to your heart’s content without embarrassment or annoying anyone else.

I have only vaguely tried karaoke in the past, but here in Japan I have - according to my brother - now discovered my niche. That isn’t to say that I am any good at it. On the contrary, I was rather embarrassed to discover that what has always sounded spectacular in the bath was pretty dire when put together with music and a microphone. I think my best performances were to Led Zepplin, Amy Winehouse and Queen, but trying to take off Robert Plant was bound to take its toll and soon my voice was worsening with strain to my vocal cords. It was probably for that reason that my brother looked horrified when his wife and I decided to add another 30 minutes to our two-hour slot as it was running out. But I was still there, squawking along to Whole lotta love long after my niece and nephew had passed out with exhaustion.

I would love to go again, but I’m not sure everyone else’s ears could take the abuse. Yet the beauty about Japan is that it wouldn’t be unusual or strange if I booked myself into a booth on my own. But it would be pretty sad, wouldn’t it…