KARAOKE: THE ULTIMATE SOCIETAL EQUALIZER

      

      What is it about karaoke that makes it so appealing to so many people?  For many, it is obviously not the best way to demonstrate exceptional singing skills!  Quite the opposite: for the millions who enjoy a “good karaoke time,” vocal ability is, in no way, a determining factor as to performance.  I believe the emergence and continuing use of karaoke is designed to connect individuals societally in much the same way that social media websites are intended.

            The Japanese word, “karaoke,” simply means “empty orchestra” (Karaoke's History, 2013).  Karaoke has been popular in Japanese culture for many years, and was initially meant as a source of relaxation for Japanese businessmen.  Some say karaoke was invented by a Japanese musician by the name of Daisuke Inoue in 1969 (Madrigal, 2013); other sources say that Filipino inventor Roberto Del Rosario was the inventor (Bellis, 2014). Regardless of the backstory, Karaoke quickly became a cultural phenomenon that continues to this day.

            So, what makes Karaoke such a popular means of interaction?  I believe it is the unspoken understanding that most of us can’t sing.  When one sees an individual perform (however badly) to a song or a ballad, most can relate.  In short, Karaoke acts as a social icebreaker and as a means to connect to others who share this inability.  Singing karaoke is not intended to be used as if one could sing on par with, say, American Idol contestants; it is designed to break down social barriers through the very fact that the majority of us can’t sing!  And if this is understood, Karaoke is fulfilling its role, regardless of who you are, where you come from, or what you do.  In short, Karaoke is the ultimate societal equalizer.

            I love to sing and have done so for most of my life.  When I perform, it is serious business to me.  Karaoke, however, is vastly different.  When I sing Karaoke, I still want to do the best I can, but performance anxiety is absent.  I relate to others who do Karaoke if only by understanding that most of us can’t perform.  And that’s the beauty of Karaoke; we can all relate as to what we would like to sound like, accept the fact we don’t, and enjoy the experience for what it is designed for; a way in which to connect to others, no matter how good (or bad) we are musically.

References

Bellis, M. (2014). Roberto Del Rosario. Retrieved from About.com: http://inventors.about.com/.

Karaoke's History. (2013). Retrieved from KaraokeKanta.net: http://www.karaokekanta.net/.

Madrigal, A. C. (2013, December 18). Someone Had to Invent Karaoke--This Guy Did. Retrieved from http://www.theatlantic.com/.