Taiwan is a wonderful place for bad singing. Really bad singing. I am not making fun, nor do I wish to be critical of anyone's singing ability. I am a really bad singer myself. I think a culture that accepts bad vocals is all-right. Just one less thing to be self-conscious about.
You don't have to look far to figure out why crappy crooning is rampant around here. Karaoke is a pillar of Asian culture that won't be going away anytime soon. Walk through the home entertainment section of any department store in Taiwan and you'll find the surround sound displays are not set up to show off the latest DVD release. Rather, they're set up with an open microphone, so you can test how powerful and echo-laden your voice will sound when you host your next karaoke party. I never miss an opportunity to give my best Michael Buffer impersonation. LLLLLLLLLLET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE!!!!!!!!!....Sounds great on those mics.
The American Idol humor is lost on many here in Taiwan. Not for me, though. I love bad singing. It has a comedic value almost as high as good stand-up. Here's the thing, though; the singer has to think he or she is good. Bad singing from people who think they're Luciano Pavarotti is just as good as Luciano Pavarotti singing it himself, in my book.
So, without further ado, here is a little clip of a community concert that was being filmed for a TV show. This guy was singing Elvis' "I Really Don't Want to Know", and butchering it. Bad enough that it belongs on this blog.
You don't have to look far to figure out why crappy crooning is rampant around here. Karaoke is a pillar of Asian culture that won't be going away anytime soon. Walk through the home entertainment section of any department store in Taiwan and you'll find the surround sound displays are not set up to show off the latest DVD release. Rather, they're set up with an open microphone, so you can test how powerful and echo-laden your voice will sound when you host your next karaoke party. I never miss an opportunity to give my best Michael Buffer impersonation. LLLLLLLLLLET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE!!!!!!!!!....Sounds great on those mics.
The American Idol humor is lost on many here in Taiwan. Not for me, though. I love bad singing. It has a comedic value almost as high as good stand-up. Here's the thing, though; the singer has to think he or she is good. Bad singing from people who think they're Luciano Pavarotti is just as good as Luciano Pavarotti singing it himself, in my book.
So, without further ado, here is a little clip of a community concert that was being filmed for a TV show. This guy was singing Elvis' "I Really Don't Want to Know", and butchering it. Bad enough that it belongs on this blog.
5 comments:
really bad singing by someone who thinks they have a good voice? sounds like a night with turner. i ought to get some footage of that one of these nights. of course, that would mean that i would have to be able to stand listening to him for more than ten seconds. also, encouraging him like that would be adding fuel to that kid's attention-starved fire.
maybe turner should move to taiwan.
Wow, the dude has a voice and he thinks he's showing it off... but you're right - he sucks. :D
Hilarious, Adam! Gotta love Taiwan.
You are so right though! Even every early morning when I went out for school or work, I could hear that kind of singing from a park by my home in Taiwan! It's not pleasant to begin a day at all! What can I say? Another "Cute" part of my homeland.
Ha ha! I love the shallow applause after he's finished. Too funny.
Adam, I'm not sure if you're getting my e-mails or not. Let me know.
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