Karaoke Forums

The funniest was "Piano Man" that was sung as the famous "Bond, James Bond" Scottish accent of our boy Sir Sean Connery. The singer was born in Tokyo, so the effect was great.

I don't consciously try to sound just like anyone, but when I sing "Because the night" by 10,000 maniacs, I'm always told I sound just like the original. It's not that I'm necessarily trying....just that my voice is similar to the original lead singer. (was it Patty Smythe?)

Some songs I think I do well, but I don't sound a bit like the original artist. If your voice is similar to the orignal it's going to sound just like the original, if it's different, you're never going to sound the same so you may as well make the song your own.

I really don't have a preference.

I'm impressed at the point someone takes that walk up to the stage, anything thereafter is a bonus (and sometimes a huge happy bonus).

I see different things in different songs and singers. I'll get happy and applaud because I like the song, like the singer, like the singing or even just because it is over (but appreciate that they gave it their best shot and it's their music taste rather than mine).

I don't even get that far into the "sing like the original" or "make it your own" debate...both seem equally valuable for me as a listener and it's down to the individual to do it their way (even if their way is to stay true to the original).

I do both - many artists I sing because I can "mimic" their voices. And yet, certain songs I sing I make the version my own. Singing songs originally done by a female make this easier (like God Bless The Child-Billie Holiday or Somewhere-Barbra Steisand) I also find it easier to "make my own" if the track has little or no backing vocals.

I Like to Put the Elvis sound into songs he never did. Mind you I don't Slur words like the Impersonatators do. I have heard many bad Impersonators.

On a Lighter Note However, It is nice to try your Own style.

One of my regulars is now working on His second album with Sony. He started with me, and I am Prowd to say He san In my shows, and I have originals by him on cd. May be a collectors item one day. Imagine unreleased karaoke tracks from Garth brooks. (no, Its not him, wish it had of been)

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I'm Not Dead yet...... But every day Im getting Closer !

I tend to imitate the original artists. I find this far easier because I've been impersonating voices for a long time and this is a natural extension of that.

There are a few songs that I change up though. I will sometimes change a song and sing it in the voice of a similar artist from the same general time period. The best example I can think of is 'That's Life' - a Frank Sinatra classic. I sing it more like Louis Armstrong who was popular about the same time largely because I've not been able to sing like Frank, but I do a pretty good Louis Armstrong and this song makes the change quite nicely. There are a few others I mix up like this but nearly all my singing is imitation - usually poorly imitated, but imitated nonetheless.