Long songs should not be prejudiced against. What next? No songs of this or that particular genre? No songs by this or that artist? No songs with this or that particular message because it may offend someone? Give it a rest!
Anyone willing to leave just because of someone singing a long song isn't particularly likely to be a regular customer anyway so from a business perspective, long songs don't hurt the karaoke. The regular customers always return (look at Tom after all who returns to his local despite any annoyances experienced). Sure, we regulars may all get annoyed at those long songs but the bright side is, you can head to the bathroom or for a cigarette break (if so inclined) or even look over the list a little longer for new songs you'd like to try. There's always a choice and there's always something else to do. It only boils down to what you are actually willing to do to maximise your fun and minimise your discomfort.
The issue here is annoyance at those who don't really do a song too well or whom you may get sick of hearing singing the same songs - especially if long. Well, guess what? It doesn't matter how long a song is or how annoying the singer is. An annoying sounding singer or song will annoy you regardless of song length. Just because you can't hack an 8 minute song done well or poorly doesn't give you the right to censor the singer from singing those lengthy songs. Build up your endurance to such annoyances or find yourself another option for a night out. There is no pleasing everyone all of the time. Is it not laughable that people who say here that the differing opinions in the world keep life interesting and how we are all entitled to our own opinions and then you hear some of those same people saying we are only entitled to singing whatever song we want so long as those choices don't annoy them? LOL
When I started in karaoke, I only really liked singing Elvis Presley songs because they were the ones I did best. They were generally short songs compared with what everyone else sang but that was my own choice. I branched out eventually. If someone else starts out in karaoke and all they know is Meat Loaf, why begrudge them for it? What gives you the right to stop them from singing? Nothing!
If the venue management decide to prevent someone from singing due to that singer's perceived talent levels, that's their prerogative but shame on those mangers and shame on any of you who would detract from someone else's fun at karaoke by calling for a limit to their stage time. As a singer, you're there for fun after all. What makes your fun more important than any other singer's? Maybe you buy more drinks or bring more friends and revenue to the venue than those annoying singers? What if they buy more drinks or bring more friends and revenue to the venue than you? By that argument, then they have more right to their fun than you do to having yours! How would YOU feel if suddenly your song choices were eradicated from the list or faded out sooner than they should be just cos those people found YOU annoying? Would you find it fair? I think not!!!
The bottom line is, karaoke is available to all who would come to the venue to sing / attempt to sing. Until that changes, let people sing whatever available songs they wish, regardless of length or singing talent and give them their full time in the limelight.
Submitted by Johnny Burrows on 17-04-2008

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