Karaoke

Karaoke (and karaoke bars) are a method (and a place) of singing songs by way of a special tape/CD,digital file player that eliminates the vocals from a song and leaves the music. The singer supplies her own vocal rendition of the song, usually with the lyrics appearing synchronized on a screen, much like a teleprompter.

VocoPro CLUB 9009G Professional Club Karaoke System

This is a loan word from Japan, where the activity first gained popularity. Karaoke is a combination of two Japanese words kara meaning empty and the shortened form of the word okesutora  orchestra.

The usage came to prominence outside Japan rapidly in the 1970's as karaoke bars (alcohol being useful to drop stage fright inhibitions, no doubt) and karaoke machines (including those for home use, in case even alcohol won't get you on stage to be Beyonce) became popular around the world.

There are even karaoke systems made for an iPad (below), so you can sing in privacy in the bright acoustics of your home bathroom.



The Late Late Show with James Corden has taken "Carpool Karaoke" - which people have been doing in their cars since cars got radios - to a high professional level. One of my favorites is when James went to Liverpool with Paul McCartney and did a singing tour of the city of Paul's youth. They go to his childhood home where he wrote music with John Lennon. He even performs a few songs in a local pub to an amazed crowd.

With the YouTube closedc aptioning, you can do some karaoke along with James and Paul.