Musical Musings… Kamikaze Karaoke (Buzzkill Songs)

"Bye bye, Miss American Pie..."
Ever want to bring a fun night of karaoke to a stand-still? Here are some suggestions to do exactly that (in no particular order):
Rumored to be about singer/songwriter Johnny Rzeznik’s childhood. Both of his parents died when he was young, and he’s singing the song to his sisters that raised him.
BONUS DOWNER: His father was an alcoholic. And just remember where you’re at when singing this.
Singer/songwriter Brian Vander Ark wrote this song that covers these incidents: a cancelled wedding, an abortion, and a suicide. Only one really happened (see the next song for a hint).
BONUS RUMOR: My brother went to Western Michigan University, where this band also hailed. Story goes they were kicked out of WMU because one of the band members raped a girl. Party time.
Band front man (duh) Ben Folds’ girlfriend has an abortion, and this melodic mood killer (bad choice of words?) tries to express how he felt… and succeeds.
BONUS SALT IN THE WOUND: The procedure takes place the day after Christmas.
BONUS HOT PEPPER SAUCE IN THE WOUND: They were still in high school.
Lead singer Ed Kowalczyk dedicated this song to a friend that was killed by a drunk driver. The drunk driver was fleeing from police after committing a robbery. The friend – she was only 19.
BONUS SILVER LINING: She donated her organs and saved the lives of others, including a 10-month-old baby. That’s what the song is really about. But still… bummer.
Tears in Heaven – Eric Clapton
Anyone that doesn’t know the story behind this song is lucky. Well consider yourself lucky no more. It’s about how Eric Clapton felt after his 4-year-old son, Conor, fell out of a window — on the 53rd floor of an NYC apartment building.
BONUS “REALLY?!” He hasn’t performed this song since 2004. His reason:
I didn’t feel the loss anymore, which is so much a part of performing those songs. I really have to connect with he feelings that were there when I wrote them. They’re kind of gone and I really don’t want them to come back, particularly. My life is different now. They probably just need a rest and maybe I’ll introduce them for a much more detached point of view.
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This final bit contains the Unholy Trilogy which have actually caused me to leave a bar. If you have to click any because either A) you don’t know it or B) you actually like it… I hate you.
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SIDENOTE: If you feel the need to reignite any karaoke night obliterated by any of the above performances, feel free to press the button below to save the night, despite what this list might claim: