Sing a song

As someone who, prior to my first trip to Thailand, looked down my nose with a snooty attitude to anyone who talked about going to a Karaoke bar, I have done a complete 180. When my firend, or more likely my friend's friend, suggest we 'go sing a song' I now cannot wait. Yes, I am tone death and can't hold a note to save my life, but there is something very liberating about blasting out 'First I was afraid, I was petrified ....' or ' .... and did it, Myyyyyyy Wayyyyyyyyy'.

However, a few weeks ago I saw the little Karaoke crowd go mad for a chinese tourist singing a Thai song and thought I would give it a try. Ever the anal retentive and planner, I got a couple of karaoke vcds and proceeded to practice a little. Last night at the karaoke I let rip and it is amazing to hear the reaction and screams when Thai's here a ferang sing a Thai song - perhaps my lack of ability in the vocal department is not such a hinderance when it comes to Thai songs. Not to be outdone, another couple of Ferangs were there and they belted out a couple of Thai numbers too immediately after my good self and the Thai girls and guys were left wondering what the hell was happening but again went whooping mad.

After that the place seemed to be rocking with guys and girls up dancing to a complete mix of Thai music from rock to pop to Morlam and even one or two songs from Cambodia and everyone had a great time. Give it a go, it makes a great change from the bars.

Some of the farang sing better in Thai than english lol

Heard some real screechers in the one i went to.

[colmx]

Well Done Fatman!
I'm another fan of the Thai karaoke bars... as long as the company is cute!

I have always planned on learning a Thai song to sing at karaoke, but my problem is that there is always 5-6 months in between my LOS trips... so that song By Taxi, Loso or Clash (or even the group!) Has usually gone out of fashion by the time I have bought the VCD, returned home, attempted to learn the words and returned to Thailand.

Maybe this time i should get BF to send me on the VCDs now so i can start to learn during my countdown (39 days to go!)

[jinks]

Every time that I have been in a karaoke it has cost me a bottle of black label.
It has been a way to making new friends and meeting all the HANGERS ON

Yes, I am tone death and can't hold a note to save my lifeI see enough people making complete fools of themselves on the street for my amusement, so for me the temptation to visit a karaoke bar is easy to resist

[Bob]

I see enough people making complete fools of themselves on the street for my amusement, so for me the temptation to visit a karaoke bar is easy to resist

I can see it now: Hom and Hedda singing a duet of "Feelings" at the local thai karaoke. Come to think of it, Hom, you might get rich just by demanding extortion money to stop you from doing that.... :clown:

... is the vampire anthem Fangs for the mammaries

"... so that song By Taxi, Loso or Clash (or even the group!) Has usually gone out of fashion by the time I have bought the VCD, returned home, attempted to learn the words and returned to Thailand". Not sure if it really matters that much how old the song is, I have seen many an old video played in karaoke bars and even though some Thai patrons are a little bit snooty if the 'latest' songs aren't being sung, they are in the minority.

I have tried a few Thai songs but the easiest I have found are 'Mae' by Loso - a nice slow number with no real changes in the tune to throw you, almost like a lullably and my friend tells me his mama cries if he sings it - although, unusually for the Thai crowd I have met, he is more tone death than I am so she may be crying for other reasons than the lyrics of the song itself! Also have got used to singing 'Pahk Dee' by Potato - A little bit faster but the melody is condusive to Ferang ears.

Also agree about the company. I have two friends who regularly go with me and have a blast. Always keep your options open though. I had one waiter ask if he could come along to karaoke the other night, he didn't want any money, just to be 'offed' from the bar and come for a sing song. I think the more the merrier is always the best way to approach karaoke and it doesn't break the bank when you opt for something like 'SangSom' whiskey, even when indulging in drinking games like we do.

[colmx]

Hi Fatman
Found the potato song on youtube:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=X2nDRvcEsD8
And also the Loso song (not sure if mae wah is the same as mae?):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e75pgX8NNoQ

Just in case any other karaoke wannabes want to try out your advice!

[llz]

This is also a song that I like to sing in thai karaokes, it is not very difficult, slow enough and the lyrics are full of sense. The link to this song is www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrWOnSdYKlQ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrWOnSdYKlQ) (the link above is for another song)

it's more fun watching others have fun.

Be warned though-avoid Filipino Karaoke Bars..(delightful people !).. unless you want to hear every family member sing their way through their entire repertoire -and then do it all over again.

[Liamog]

This is also a song that I like to sing in thai karaokes, it is not very difficult, slow enough and the lyrics are full of sense. The link to this song is www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrWOnSdYKlQ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrWOnSdYKlQ) (the link above is for another song)

Thanks for the link. Sounds learnable and even singable? Any idea what it's about?

[Bob]

Any idea what it's about?

The song is a tribute to his mother and somewhat a song about homesickness. One translation (I found on Ethai Music) is:

Mother

This time...how will it be? From such a time and distance.
I miss...I miss my home. When it will be a long time before I can come home.
Mom...do you know about this? That inside, I'm a little afraid.
From myself, to my caring mother. In this great city, so far from our home.

I miss you more and more, when the tears stream down my face. I want to come home, and lay my head in your lap.
In your loving embrace, when we're truly together again. Being with you, I'm happier than anyone.
Very soon, I will come back. When I'm out of breath, and it hurts too much.
You'll hear my stories, and ease my fears.

(interlude)

You'll hear my stories, and ease my fears.
I'll forget those people, and put my head back in your lap.

[Liamog]

Thanks Bob

I found this by Loso & Bird. Even easier to learn? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IG7vMCSb ... ed&search= (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IG7vMCSbtlo&mode=related&search=)

sabai means 'good' doesn't it. I know these guys are famous as I've seen the boys singing their songs. Catchy tune. lol might try and learn one of them for my next visit.

[Bob]

I believe Sabai sabai really means more "contented" (maybe "everything is cool" or "happy") than "good". This song is an old enjoyable song by Bird. I have a pirated(*) version of the vcd of the Bird & Sek concert held in 1994 in Bangkok and the opening song is Sabai Sabai by Bird....and he does an excellent job with it (much better than the Utube video).

(* I downloaded it from the newsgroups and have watched it maybe 100 times. Great songs by Bird, Sek Loso, and they are also joined by Palmy for a couple of numbers. A most excellent concert and I highly recommend it to anyone who's into the thai pop/rock genre).

How do you practise without driving the neighbours nuts?

Thanks guys for tuning me into Youtube for more Karaoke masterpieces - much better than playing those unreliable vcd's on my computer. My next sing a song learning experience is going to be 'Som Sarn' - I like the Bird/Loso version http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVDLQdB0 ... ed&search= (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVDLQdB0udU&mode=related&search=) but also like the original Loso version http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNJoH9ysD5c

Oh and Oogleman, I am not sure what the neighbours think - my walls aren't paper thin (almost) but if you are in the bathroom when someone is taking a shower in the next room, you can hear every squeak of the loofer! Whats worse (for them) is that I tend to put on my headphones and then practice my catterwauling. :cheers:

Fatman - we should do a duet! The Thai version of the righteous brothers lol

[Brad the Impala]

Except that neither of you are Thai, probably not righteous, and only brothers in the widest sense!