The New York Times brings us a very important report today about the scourge of Karaoke-related murders that are sweeping the Phillipines. Whatever you do, don’t sing Frank Sinatra!
GENERAL SANTOS, the Philippines — After a day of barbering, Rodolfo Gregorio went to his neighborhood karaoke bar still smelling of talcum powder. Putting aside his glass of Red Horse Extra Strong beer, he grasped a microphone with a habitué’s self-assuredness and briefly stilled the room with the Platters’ “My Prayer.”
…But Mr. Gregorio, 63, a witness to countless fistfights and occasional stabbings erupting from disputes over karaoke singing, did not dare choose one beloved classic: Frank Sinatra’s version of “My Way.”
“I used to like ‘My Way,’ but after all the trouble, I stopped singing it,” he said. “You can get killed.”
The authorities do not know exactly how many people have been killed warbling “My Way” in karaoke bars over the years in the Philippines, or how many fatal fights it has fueled. But the news media have recorded at least half a dozen victims in the past decade and includes them in a subcategory of crime dubbed the “My Way Killings.”
While this problem may be currently restricted to the Phillipines, I wouldn’t be surprised if the rest of the world quickly followed. I don’t know about My Way in particular, but I’ve definitely been moved nearly to murder watching a bunch piss drunk frat idiots singing Don’t Stop Believin’. And do not get me started on Sister Christian!
(New York Times)
Be the first to comment on "OMG, Karaoke Can Be Deadly"