Break Away II

karaoke hits

Karaoke Revolution is a fun karaoke video game to play on PS2, PS3, Xbox, Xbox 360, Wii, and Nintendo GameCube. In addition to the original game, several other versions have been released, including Volume 2, Volume 3, Karaoke Revolution Party, Country, American Idol and most recently, American Idol Encore. The first microphone was a Logitech headset compatible with the PlayStations, Wii and Xbox 360. Future versions of the game came with a standardized microphone that can be used in Rock Band, Boogie and High School Musical: Sing It as well. The Karaoke Revolution for Xbox has a microphone that plugs right into the memory card port on the controller and the GameCube has a special microphone that plugs into its memory card port, although it can be used with Mario Party 6 too. If you have a SingStar microphone, then you can probably use it for the PS3 version.

If you like Rock Band or Guitar Hero, then you will have a ball with Karaoke Revolution, in which you play an on-screen character who is performing a live concert. As with any video game character, you can customize the outfits, hair color and other features to your liking. The song lyrics will scroll right-to-left at the bottom of the screen in traditional karaoke format, while a pitch arrow shows whether you are in the correct range or not. If you are singing your karaoke hits well, then the audience will cheer for you and the crowd meter will be through-the-roof! But watch out because if you are bombing, you just might get booed right off stage!

Since its inception, Karaoke Revolution has released four other versions. Volume 2 introduces a “medley mode,” which challenges you to sing a series of song excerpts to test your skill level. Volume 3 comes with a “duet mode,” where two vocalists can sing simultaneously, with each individual capable of contributing 50,000 points toward a perfect score. Karaoke Revolution Party added fun, unrelated mini-games (like volleyball or stage diving), as well as a “Sing and Dance” mode which uses a dance karaoke pad controller. Karaoke Revolution Presents American Idol added judges, commentary and special stages.

The Karaoke Revolution games have been extremely popular and well-received. For example, 84% of the people who bought the original Karaoke Revolution for PS2 and Xbox loved it. Karaoke Revolution Volume 3 for PS2 had an 85% approval rating too. Karaoke Revolution Party and Volume 2 received 81% approval and the original American Idol had 78% approval rating. The worst of the games were the two latest American Idol Encore editions, which ranked in the 50s. You will get the most out of the game if you have a PS3 or an Xbox 360 because there are nearly 200 exclusive karaoke downloads to add to your game, including Billy Joel’s “Just the Way You Are,” Johnny Cash’s “I Walk the Line,” Kool & The Gang’s “Celebration” and Steppenwolf’s “Born To Be Wild,” to name a few.

karaoke party

When discussing karaoke music, we have to look at two different aspects. On one hand, you’ll need to choose the right karaoke hits for your collection to ensure everyone’s satisfied and your karaoke party doesn’t turn into an awkward “So, who is going next” scenario. On the other hand, you will need to consider where and how to buy these songs, either on CD, DVD, CD G or mp3. Perhaps you may not even want to buy them at all, instead opting for getting your fix of karaoke online.

Girls and guys have their favorite karaoke hits that have withstood the test of time, so be sure to add the following favorites to your karaoke song collection. Girls like empowering songs of survival, enduring sexuality and sass. To appease these spunky vixens include such tunes as “These Boots Were Made For Walkin’” (Nancy Sinatra), “I Will Survive” (Gloria Gaynor) “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” (Pat Benatar), “Venus” (Bananarama), “I Love Rock N Roll” (Joan Jett), “I’m Just A Girl” (No Doubt/Gwen Stefani), “Like A Virgin” (Madonna), “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” (Cyndi Lauper), “Feel Like A Woman” (Shania Twain), “You’re So Vain” (Carly Simon), “She Works Hard For The Money” (Donna Summer), “Respect” (Aretha Franklin), “Sweet Dreams” (Eurythmics), “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” (Whitney Houston), “Listen To Your Heart” (Roxette) and “Black Velvet” (Alannah Myles).

Guys like karaoke music that is easy-to-sing, fun-natured and includes choruses to showcase their manliness. For guys, don’t forget the following most-requested karaoke songs. “Piano Man” (Billy Joel), “Drift Away” (Uncle Kracker), “New York New York” (Frank Sinatra), “Livin On A Prayer” (Bon Jovi), “Lean On Me” (Bill Withers), “Old Time Rock N’ Roll” (Bob Seger), “Tainted Love” (Soft Cell), “Brown Eyed Girl” (Van Morrison), “Baby Got Back” (Sir Mix-a-lot), “Margaritaville” (Jimmy Buffet), “Dust In The Wind” (Kansas),”Don’t Stop Believin’” (Journey), “Bohemian Rhapsody” (Queen), “Knockin On Heaven’s Door” (Bob Dylan), “Pour Some Sugar On Me” (Def Leppard), “We’re Not Gonna Take It” (Twisted Sister), “Beat It” (Michael Jackson), “Here I Go Again” (Whitesnake), “Addicted To Love” (Robert Palmer), “Girls Girls Girls” (Motley Crue) and “Paradise City” (Guns N’ Roses).

When it comes to karaoke music, there are just some songs that are must-haves for your collection. Even though you may not belt out Neil Diamond’s cheesy “Sweet Caroline” as you’re getting ready in the morning, you’d be crazy not to have it at your next karaoke party. Everyone will be chorusing the “bah bah bah’s” to make the karaoke party even more fun. Another famous group sing-a-long is Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ On A Prayer,” with everyone from 15-50 shouting out “whoaaaaa-ohhhhh, livin on a prayer” like an eighties rocker. Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin” is so corny it’s perfect for your next karaoke get together and don’t think you’ll get through the night without someone choosing Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl,” where all participants sing “sha-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-lad-di-da.”

karaoke downloads

Are social networking sites the solution for the poor karaoke MP3 situation? There are a number of places to find accompaniment MP3s online, but many web users report countless irritations in the process, such as not receiving the lyrics with their download, being bombarded with advertisements, being unable to find the songs they were looking for, paying too much, or the songs were not recorded by the original artists. Social networking sites like www.ksolo.myspace.com, www.redkaraoke.com or www.kariokebar.com offer an interesting alternative to karaoke downloads.

There are several things to look for when downloading karaoke MP3 files. Some files feature recordings from the original band members, with the vocals removed. Others have professional recording artists performing the tracks, with the vocals removed. Other tracks come with the vocals and allow you to cancel out the vocals on your karaoke system, if your system comes with that feature. It is important to understand the features and the limitations of your karaoke equipment before you start browsing for music.

Another factor to consider is its extension. Most downloads will come as “.mp3″ files, although some may say “midi,”"mp3+g” or “mp4.” Midi sometimes sounds like keyboard music and is often a very different version, so you will want to avoid those. The MP3+G are good because they have the lyrics included that can be output to video. MP4 format may be a music file and an accompanying music video file, which is fine if you want the videos more than the lyrics.

Apple’s iPod revolutionized the way we experience music. As a result, many consumers want to go to their iTunes store to browse karaoke MP3 files. This is good in theory, considering that there are in fact a few karaoke downloads for sale, although there are problems too. Lyrics don’t automatically come with the songs, for instance. But never fear, fine music fans, as Apple is working on appeasing its “American Idol” loving audience. Their most recent offering, the DoPi Karaoke system, has been getting a lot of attention lately. For $60, you can buy songs from the DoPi store (99 cents for karaoke music only, $1.99 for karaoke songs with lyrics); then plug one cable from your player into a converter box, which connects to your television set and voila, your iPod has become a karaoke machine of sorts. Unfortunately, the music selection is only up to 9,000 songs so far, since the product is so new. Also, the songs are recorded by Sound Choice artists, not the original artists and only songs with the vocal tracks completely removed will work (because there is no voice cancellation feature). It is sort of a poor man’s on-the-go karaoke.

One of the most popular sources for karaoke MP3 files is www.karaoke.com, where you can search over 10,000 karaoke songs. Some of the top artists searched on the site include Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Sugarland, Rihanna, Celine Dion, Johnny Cash, Abba, Journey, Elvis Presley, Miley Cyrus, The Beatles, Carrie Underwood and Frank Sinatra. Users generally search by a specific artist that they are looking for or by the label, such as All Star Karaoke, Chartbuster, Disney, Forever Hits, Pop Hits Monthly or Sound Choice. You can also buy CD G and regular CDs through the site as well.

karaoke songs

Since the karaoke party in America is thirty years old now, there are many ways songbirds can explore their singing talent. There are personal attachments one can affix to an iPod to practice singing around the house while doing chores. Or extroverts may prefer to seek out a karaoke club to belt-it-out in front of dozens of strangers for prize money and fame. For house parties, a karaoke machine can be a great way to entertain guests for hours on end. Video game systems can also transform traditional karaoke into challenging games. Finding karaoke online can transform a hobby into a social community, where friends can upload their karaoke recordings and trade with others.

So which systems are getting the most buzz? The $60 doPi Karaoke “Party in a Pod” system can turn a video iPod into a karaoke machine. Consumers will also get a microphone, a mixer box with two inputs, echo effect, video in/out ports and all cables needed to connect an iPod to the box, which plugs into the wall. A song card comes with three free downloads and many karaoke songs come with video too. This system, which has been featured by InStyle, People, Seventeen, WIRED, Mac Life, iLounge, FHM and Entertainment Magazine, as well as Good Morning America and The Early Show, can be purchased at www.dopikaraoke.com.

Over a million people have purchased the “Rock Band” game for PlayStation, Wii and Xbox, which turns their video game consoles into a karaoke machine and musical instrument tutorial. Like the karaoke game “Karaoke Revolution,” the lyrics appear at the top of the screen for vocalists to follow, while a bar provides feedback on how well the pitch and note duration match the original. Other friends or family members can try their hand at guitar, the bass guitar and drum pads. This game is really fun for parties, rainy days and cultivating an interest in music.

The $199 Singing Machine Pedestal CDG Karaoke system offers a more professional singing and recording experience than the average karaoke machine. In addition to having two microphones, the system also comes with a built-in camera so singers can watch themselves on the video monitor. Additionally, the RCA output allows singers the ability to tape themselves on a VCR or DVD recorder as well. Unlike other systems that are all-vocals or no-vocals, this unit comes with Auto Voice Control so the vocals are eliminated when the singer starts to sing and returns when the singer stops singing. This function is ideal for practicing a new song. Additional features for this CD/CD G player include key, echo, balance and pitch control. Ipod-compatible systems also exist for $249. Consumers can purchase this product at www.singingmachine.com.

Consumers are not the only demographic for the karaoke machine. Some business owners see karaoke as a great opportunity to add entertainment or set themselves apart from the competition. Obviously, the karaoke club is nothing new, but what about the karaoke cab? In cities like Dallas, New York City, Chicago and San Francisco, there are cabs with built-in karaoke machines to start off a pre-party or occupy riders for long rides. Some videos of karaoke singers are posted at www.mykaraokecab.com. Karaoke Yellow Cab out of Dallas, Texas says that the karaoke hits up his tips and that the most common songs requested are Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl,” Madonna’s “Like A Virgin” and Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline.”

karaoke software

To perform all your favorite karaoke hits at home, you will need a microphone, a player and a song collection. One of the cheapest ways to accomplish this is to buy a karaoke DVD player for as little as $30. Although some would argue that setting yourself to perform on your computer is the least expensive way because you need only a $20 microphone and 79-cent karaoke downloads. If you are computer savvy and are willing to spend $49 for karaoke software, then you can create your own custom DVDs using your current mp3 collection.

Buying a karaoke system can be expensive, with some of the more professional sounding all-in-ones ranging upwards of $200. Why do you need to buy the speakers or a video monitor when you already have a perfectly fine audio hook-up? For people who have already invested in a big screen TV and superior sound system, a karaoke DVD player costing as little as $30 will work out just fine. The Coby DVD-637 can play video karaoke and regular films only, so you’ll have to make sure you don’t mind purchasing special DVDs. There is a wide array of DVDs out there, although many of the karaoke songs come in CD G format, which is a music CD with lyrical graphics that scroll across the screen. Yet for $30, the Colby is one of the most cost-effective solutions for the amateur singer in your household.

According to online retailer Amazon, the kid karaoke DVD offerings tend to sell best. Disney’s “High School Musical” 1 & 2, “Hannah Montana,” “Disney Radio Hits” 1 & 2, as well as “Jump & Jive with Hi-5″ and Sesame Street’s “Sesame Sings Karaoke” are all karaoke hits. For older teens and adults, Billboard released a “Top 10 Karaoke Box Set” that includes 40 songs including John Lennon, Neil Diamond, Dolly Parton and Sting, to name a few artists. Also, Party Tyme offers a multitude of karaoke songs on DVD for $13.99, with themes including: Broadway, Country, Old Country, Greatest Hits, Oldies, Pop, Rock and Love Songs. Startrax offers fun genre DVDs too, including 80s movies, 80s pop, alternative anthems, another top 20 hits, at the movies, back to school, boogie nights, classic R&B, country classics, dancing in the streets, disco classics, girls night and kids, to name a few.

Did you know you can create your own customized Karaoke DVD? Simply go to www.powerkaraoke.com and download the free trial or the full-version karaoke software for $49. You may be able to fit up to 300 songs using this customized method. However, your computer will need to have: Windows XP or Vista, a DVD-burner drive, a 1 GHz processor or better, at least 512 MB RAM, a 32-bit display, and you will need to buy CD-DVDs as well. You may also need software that can convert your existing mp3s into CD+G tracks or else you’ll have to buy special karaoke songs. This method is only recommended for extremely computer savvy individuals who don’t mind putting in the time to learn the software. For everyone else, there are pre-made karaoke DVDs and CD+Gs ready to use.

karaoke CD

Before you hit the bar, you may need some practice on your at-home karaoke system first. After all, hitting that high note of Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” might not work without training. Will you be able to pull off Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody,” or will it just sound ridiculous? There is only one way to find out; by practicing as many different songs, ranges and styles that will help you discover your inner vocalist. There are a number of ways to beef up your collection of karaoke songs. You can look online for karaoke downloads, you can buy karaoke DVDs, you can buy karaoke software that allows you to make your own songs, you can stream them on the web or you can buy a karaoke CD.

When regard to karaoke CDs, few compilations got people as excited about karaoke music as the DKKaraoke collection that came out in the nineties, featuring 25 discs of karaoke hits, spanning several decades of music. For instance, you could get Frank Sinatra’s “New York New York” and Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5″ on the same CD as Bon Jovi’s “Bad Medicine” and U2′s “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.” From slow ballads and lounge tracks to crooning love songs and shout-it-out rock karaoke, there is something for everyone on these CDs. This is the ultimate collection for anyone who is serious about karaoke music and wants to have all the best karaoke songs at their disposal.

If you would rather make your own karaoke CD or add some new mp3 karaoke tracks to your database, then a number of publications and websites have stepped up to the plate to help you out with their suggestions. Rolling Stone recommends “Don’t Stop Believing” (Journey), “Since U Been Gone” (Kelly Clarkson), “Livin’ On A Prayer” (Bon Jovi), “Sweet Child O’ Mine” (Guns N’ Roses) and “Like A Virgin” (Madonna). According to top karaoke song resource, www.eztracks.com, the top downloads to date are “Eye of the Tiger” (Survivor), “Dancing Queen” (Abba), “Beat It” (Michael Jackson), “My Heart Will Go On” (Celine Dion), “Livin’ On A Prayer” (Bon Jovi), “Angel” (Rayvon, Shaggy), “Addicted” (Enrique Iglesias), “Thriller” (Michael Jackson) and “Barbie Girl” (Aqua).

There are many places to find a good karaoke CD. The most popular place to buy is online. You may find the perfect compilations at www.amazon.com or www.karaoke.com. However, you can also purchase individual karaoke songs at www.buykaraokedownloads.com for as low as 79 cents. More selections can be found at www.karaoke-version.com, although their tracks sell for $1.99; at www.eztracks.com, there are 101 free downloads. You may also consider joining an online karaoke community like www.kariokebar.com or www.redkaraoke.com.

karaoke equipment

In Japan, karaoke serves many roles. It allows the suppressed individual to be a star and expressing him or herself, departing from traditionally-rooted group values, if only for a rare moment. It lets business professionals loosen their ties, let down their hair and unwind after grueling hours in the workplace. It is also a great way for intergenerational communication, as families participate in an enjoyable activity beloved by all. Karaoke machines have been credited with improving national literacy rates too, as the words appear on the screen.

So how did karaoke move from Japanese bars to become embedded into the American culture? In small Japanese enclaves such as San Jose, California’s “Japantown,” little traditional karaoke houses opened up playing Japanese songs on cassette tapes for Japanese patrons to sing along to. The club featured several private 12 ft x 12 ft rooms with pillow seating on the floors and busy hostesses to fills drink orders and runs the karaoke machines. These intimate parties attracted a very narrow audience but gradually the patrons began taking a greater interest in American music, particularly with the rise of pop icons in the 1980s. Simultaneously, Americans became fascinated with Japanese anime like Robotech, cartoons like Transformers and video games like Nintendo. So naturally, the karaoke party was poised for widespread acceptance in American culture too.

At the turn of the millennium, karaoke took on a more serious note in American culture. With the advent of shows like “American Idol,” aspiring talent saw the opportunity to sing karaoke as pop star or rock star practice. In the past, the best singers would occasionally receive a standing ovation, a free drink at the bar or a small pot of prize money. Today, however, singers can get recruited by agents hidden in the audience and awarded with lucrative multi-million-dollar contracts. Everyone enjoys a good sing-a-long these days and Numark was quick to revolutionize karaoke equipment with the KMX01, KMX02 and CDN25+G, which make performances even more professional-sounding.

While there are thousands of karaoke songs to choose from, some reign supreme. Guys should try belting out Bruce Springsteen’s “Born In the USA,” which is a good beginner song that can’t possibly sound any more discordant than the original. To rock out with their inner rockstar, guys should also consider ACDC’s “You Shook Me All Night Long,” Bon Jovi’s “Livin On A Prayer,” Steppenwolf’s “Born To Be Wild,” Motley Crue’s “Girls Girls Girls,” Def Leppard’s “Pour Some Sugar On Me” or Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Popular karaoke tracks for girls include: Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” Gloria Gayner’s “I Will Survive,” No Doubt’s “Just A Girl,” Aretha Franklin’s “Respect,” Madonna’s “Like A Virgin,” Joan Jett’s “I Love Rock N Roll,” Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You,” Shania Twain’s “I Feel Like A Woman,” Britney Spears’ “Womanizer,” Pat Benatar’s “Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” Carole King’s “It’s Too Late” or Nancy Sinatra’s “These Boots Are Made For Walking.”