We found out famous people’s favourite karaoke songs
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It’s a grand old two-storey merry-go-round that’s wired for sound, where show ponies can belt out their favourite song on the top level, while everyone else joins in the chorus as they ride a pogoing pony round and round.
It’s $5 a go and there’ll even be themed musical nights, for those obsessed with boy bands & divas, love song duets, pub classics, Disney anthems, kid-friendly tunes (aka the ‘Let It Go On Repeat Afternoon’), country and flashback Fridays. Check out all the Karaoke Carousel details here.
For inspiration, we reached out to a bunch of Festival artists and general celebs/famous people to ask them what their all-time favourite karaoke song is, and why. Gorge yourself with guilty pleasures below.
*Probably – we’ve never heard of another Karaoke Carousel.
Wesley Enoch – Sydney Festival Director
Twist and Shout – The BeatlesLord Mayor Clover Moore
Friday On My Mind – The Easybeats“'Gonna have fun in the city…’ – it’s a classic song that perfectly captures the magic of our city in summer. I can’t think of a better song to try out at karaoke, although I might leave the honour to Deputy Lord Mayor Jess Miller and Councillor Jess Scully who are already planning their visit to the Karaoke Carousel!”
Gotye – A Tribute to Jean-Jacques Perrey
4’33’’ – John Cage(Ed. note: hilarious)
GET TIX TO GOTYE’S A TRIBUTE TO JEAN-JACQUES PERREY HERE
Meow Meow – Meow Meow’s Pandemonium
Poupée de Cire Poupée de Son – Serge Gainsbourg“As sung by teen sensation France Gall at Eurovision in 1965. For some reason I only seem to end up at karaoke in Paris, so this is the one I always choose – it’s a rollicking rollercoaster song that makes everyone dance. I wonder if it will be in the Karaoke Carousel repertoire?!”
GET TIX TO MEOW MEOW'S PANDEMONIUM HERE
Inua Ellams – Barber Shop Chronicles
Smooth Criminal – Michael Jackson“I have never done karaoke in my life, but my sisters do, and I wrote a poem about them singing Michael Jackson’s Smooth Criminal at my parents' 25th wedding anniversary.”
GET TIX TO BARBER SHOP CHRONICLES HERE
Anthony Albanese – Labor MP
Flame Trees – Cold Chisel“It builds up momentum as the song goes, making it easy to encourage others to sing along.”
Dubs Yunupingu – Alice in Wonderland
Livin’ On A Prayer – Bon Jovi“I love this song because you can just belt it out and sing it like no one is listening.”
GET TIX TO ALICE IN WONDERLAND HERE
Panti Bliss – RIOT
The Devil Went Down To Georgia – Charlie Daniels Band“It's a fun story song that everybody can get on board with, it has a stupidly fun dance/fiddle break in the middle (and who doesn't love that), and has a big finish. What more do you want?!”
GET TIX TO RIOT HERE
Jimi Bani - My Name is Jimi
Flame Trees – Cold Chisel“You can’t go wrong.”
GET TIX TO MY NAME IS JIMI HERE
Lady Rizo – Red, White and Indigo
Total Eclipse of the Heart – Bonnie Tyler“When I was 20 years old I made up a good part of my income with karaoke contests. I made almost $800 winnings! (I lived cheaply.) I lost the huge grand prize twice to a big man in a Hawaiian shirt that sang a Queen song – two different guys! But I placed with Total Eclipse of the Heart. This remains my favourite. The drama, passion, the explosion sounds, the room for a dance break.”
GET TIX TO LADY RIZO: RED, WHITE AND INDIGO HERE
Captain Ruin – Model Citizens
Nine to Five – Dolly Parton.“I was once performing on a touring music festival with an incredible transgender artist called Our Lady J. Her amazing life story had taken her from a role in the US Army all the way to performing a special night of Dolly Parton songs off Broadway, which was attended by the famous country star herself! While we were in Sydney, Dolly announced a tour. I made a deal with Our Lady J that if she took me backstage as her plus one, I would get Dolly to sign my ass, and then get it tattooed. The rest is history!”
GET TIX TO MODEL CITIZENS HERE
Izzi Manfredi (The Preatures) – 16 Lovers Lane
I Will Survive – Gloria GaynorGET TIX TO 16 LOVERS LANE HERE
Kirin J Callinan – 16 Lovers Lane
White Wedding – Billy Idol“Because, I do.”
GET TIX TO 16 LOVERS LANE HERE
Nick Jarvis is a journalist, copywriter and Publications Editor at Sydney Festival and Sydney Film Festival. He's written for Vice, Time Out, inthemix, Junkee and various other online media and street press over the years.
