KARAOKE PERFORMERS: ONE OF THE FEW POSITIVE STEREOTYPES

Karaoke Performers: One of the Few Positive Stereotypes

            Image the following scenario: You’ve had a tough week.  The boss has been horrible, your deadlines were not met, your significant other has dumped you.  All you want to do is have a little fun with your friends and forget about the troubles you have experienced through the week.  So, what to do?  Why not go to a karaoke bar and let loose with your favorite rendition of “Sweet Home Alabama” or “Born in the U.S.A.” while downing a few brewskis (or cocktails)?  Here’s the thing:  even though you may be as tone-deaf as they come, you will probably feel better, at least for a while.

            I’ve just described a common stereotype of the typical karaoke setting: a group of individuals who, while having imbibed (possibly) a few too many, sing (however badly) karaoke.  They may also encourage their friends, or even audience members, to participate.  In a way, karaoke is the social instrument used as a bonding agent for certain groups of people.  I’ve also described a ritual that, I am sure, has been performed millions of times, regardless of whether you are male or female.  Karaoke becomes the glue that combines a need to relax socially into a good time.

            Karaoke, by its explicit interaction between performer and audience, creates a way for social groups to bond.  And, as there may be ritualistic elements associated with Karaoke, it can provide a common ground as well.  In fact, I just read an article on CoolMomPicks.com that listed the best karaoke songs to sing for certain group settings: “best karaoke songs to show off rapping skills;” “best karaoke songs if your performance can make up for your lack of singing skills;” even “best karaoke songs if you are hugely pregnant” (Cool Mom Staff, 2012).  Although the article was written somewhat tongue-in-cheek, it did accurately convey that groups with commonality can be associated with songs chosen by an individual for a group.  And, in accordance with the nature of karaoke, one of the few positive stereotypes in our society today is that it is almost universally understood that performers can’t sing, and this is not a bad thing!  That’s the beauty of karaoke: although it may be a way to connect socially across differing spectrums, the fact that one is tone deaf is not looked upon with disfavor; in fact, it is usually a given this is so.

            So, what does this tell us about the true nature of karaoke?  We (including myself), assume that those who participate cannot sing, and that…is…ok.  Does karaoke have the ability to make one more comfortable in a social setting due to the above fact?  Is it because we, as a culture, simply want to connect and have fun with others?  Or is it the fact, for an evening, we put aside our troubles and simply enjoy life?  I think it’s a combination of all of the above: it “makes you happy doing it” (Young, 2009).  That assumption may also be a stereotype, but at least it is one that does not negate a person as an individual due to a perceived lack of musical ability.

Karaoke—rock and roll on!

References

Cool Mom Staff. (2012, June 8). The Best Karaoke Songs for Any Occasion. Retrieved from                              CoolMomPicks.com: http://coolmompicks.com/

Young, R. (2009, December 10). Why is Karaoke so Popular? Retrieved from Examiner.com: http://www.examiner.com/