by ccpuff

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Sing out, sister: tunes you have to belt

“Sing, sing a song / sing out loud, sing out stroooong.” You are, aren’t you? Singing, that is. You can’t help it – some songs require that you sing along, no matter how shy or tone-deaf you are. I defy you not to sing this: “Rainy days and Mondays always get me down.” The Carpenters were masters of the sing-along song.

Sometimes you don’t know the whole song, but a catchy hook or chorus makes you stop whatever you’re doing to sing it. Some tunes have the power to transform even a noisy group of lesbians into choral fools. I’ve been at parties where music is playing in the background that no one seems to notice, then suddenly the whole room bursts into “The closer I am to fi-i-i-ine / the closer I am to fine.”

This thought train started chugging when I read an EW.com article about Bryan Adams, whose “Summer of ’69,” has one of those choruses the crowd has to sing: “Those were the best days of my life.” Adams, btw, is not only making beautiful music on his acoustic tour, but has proven himself a damn fine photographer with a recent picture of Hillary Clinton. (To download a very hi-res version, go here.) He’s offered to do a portrait of Barack Obama, too, so no endorsement is implied – at least not by Adams.

Thinking of “Summer of ’69” led me to the Beach Boys’ “Round, round get around, I get around / yeah, get around, round, round, I get around / I get around.” And another BB chorus that our California LGBT family sang until they made it so: “We could get married, and then we’d be happy / oh wouldn’t it be nice?”

That leads, of course, to “Goin’ to the chapel and we’re gonna get married,” which has turned more than one group of wedding guests into a chapel of love choir. The same guests who, later at the reception, joined in on, “We are family / I got all my sisters with me / we are family / get up everybody and sing.”

In the right setting, “We Are Family” becomes a sway-along-song; one that makes everyone lock arms and sing in a moment of true sisterly unity. Dorothy Snarker’s sway-along-song is courtesy of Janis Joplin: “I want you to come on / come on / come on / come on and take it!” Erstwhile AfterEllen.com blogger scribegrrl leans to the Musak classics like, “Sweet Caroline, good times never seem so good.”

Of course, I’m an old fart and love old fart music. So how about you — what tunes make you shut up and sing? What are your favorite sing-along-songs?

thelinster's blog

Submitted by

the linster

on May 16, 2008 - 3:00pm.

TAGS ::

music

i always sing along to

Submitted by

Cammy (874 posts)

on May 16, 2008 - 3:08pm.

'A little respect' and 'Ain't no mountain high enough'

as a music obsessor

Submitted by

yael (176 posts)

on May 16, 2008 - 3:10pm.

i am never found not humming a tune of some sort, but there are some that do really stand out and i just love singing along to more than others.

definetly build me up buttercup by the foundations, i mean who doesn't know the chorus to that.

there are a couple of queen classics, don't stop me now and bohemium rhapsody.

catchy line wise, livin on a prayer is definetly there in the top, i mean who doesn't love screaming out WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAH WE'RE HALF WAY THERE, WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAH LIVIN ON A PRAYER. choooon and a half!

OH MY GAWD

Submitted by

refrigeratoraider (483 posts)

on May 18, 2008 - 12:00am.

everytime i drive from Mobile to Montgomery, AL which is about two hours, i HAVE to listen to 'Livin on a Prayer' and belt it out. EVERY TIME.

i love you for that post.

I got a dick like a mule...with a big dick.

How bout...

Submitted by

clonchi (151 posts)

on May 16, 2008 - 3:12pm.

"we are the champions", "love hurts", "all by myself"??? I'm a sucker for those songs...

and recently, I was in my car returning from a camping trip with 4 friends, and we were all listening quietly to music, and when "Walk like an Egyptian" came on, we started singing like crazy. Of course, we only knew that ONE line: "walk like an egyptian" and, "OHEHOH!" but still, that makes you want to sing!

myRants

mySpace

I forgot about them

Submitted by

Cammy (874 posts)

on May 16, 2008 - 3:20pm.

I totally forgot about queen and bon jovi and aerosmith specially walk this way

Sing Along Songs

Submitted by

Leibug (1683 posts)

on May 16, 2008 - 3:20pm.

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun- Cyndi Lauper

Music- Madonna

I Will Survive- Gloria Gaynor

I'm Just A Girl- No Doubt

I've Got Friends In Low Places- Garth Brooks

I Love Rock & Roll- Joan Jett

Changes- David Bowie

Gayest non-gay song

Submitted by

Angie5x5 (108 posts)

on May 16, 2008 - 3:48pm.

There are so many fabulous sing-along songs, I could go on forever. Instead, I'll name the lyrics that always made me stop and sing when I was in my first (only) lesbian relationship and still struggling with my mother's disapproval and my own mixed feelings. For those few moments, I knew everythig would be okay. Thank you Sarah McLachlan.

Oh the quiet child awaits the day when she can break free
the mold that clings like desperation
Mother can't you see I've got
to live my life the way I feel is right for me
might not be right for you but it's right for me...
I believe...

I believe
this is heaven to no one else but me
and I'll defend it as long as
I can be left here to linger in silence
if I choose to
would you try to understand it

(From "Elsewhere" by Sarah McLachlan)

~ Angie

Gayest Non Gay Song

Submitted by

joca (17 posts)

on May 16, 2008 - 4:01pm.

I think the gayest non gay song is "you'll be in my heart". Like other than Tarzan and Jane (which is the cartoon movie this song was featured in) I have a really hard time justifying what would keep these two people apart....

Queen

Submitted by

Samantha (126 posts)

on May 16, 2008 - 4:19pm.

I want to Break Free - Queen.

My sister and I also make the guitar noises.

It's good fun.

Heart

Submitted by

mibtc86 (203 posts)

on May 16, 2008 - 4:24pm.

yeah so i listen to them during the day and then when i come home from school, no one's in the house, so i bust out. :D. Alone, their version of Unchained Melody etc. then there's w/e was just on the radio if it's catchy ie. Duffy's Mercy....

the people who aren't home r lucky hehe.

does ne body remember the show Doug Funny?? the band on the show The Beets had a song: Killer Tofu and I Need More Allowance (yo duh leh eee ooo, why? because i do!). i busted out during gym class w/ my friends.

Hmm, so if I had to choose

Submitted by

Layla (100 posts)

on May 16, 2008 - 4:44pm.

Hmm, so if I had to choose my top five ...

"Different Drum," by the Stone Poneys. (Because I'm certainly not in the market for a boy who wants to love only meeeeee, yes, and I ain't sayin' you ain't pretty, all I'm sayin's I'm not ready).

"Paradise by the Dashboard Light," Meatloaf. ('Cause it's cold and lonely in the deep dark night, and the woman in that music video? Is incredibly hot, even if her outfit is ungodly).

"Happy Together," the Turtles.

And I'd probably close out with 'La Vie Boheme' from RENT and Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody.

Of course, I'm also the sort of person who sings Elvis songs in the car and shower. So I'm probably not the best person to ask.

"Most Lesbians are deliberate cowards. Usually they're too lazy or too full of themselves to go out and get themselves a man." (The Shadowy Sex, Hilary Hilton)

i LOVE the combo of la vie

Submitted by

sloane (126 posts)

on May 16, 2008 - 6:54pm.

i LOVE the combo of la vie boheme (my mantra) and bohemian rhapsody...fabulous songs.

Oh Mickey

Submitted by

sunnyday (198 posts)

on May 16, 2008 - 5:01pm.

You're so fine, You're so fine, You blow my mind, Hey Mickey!

We Got the Beat

Billie Jean

Walk This Way

School's Out

Cotton Eyed Joe

Another One Bites the Dust

Purple Rain

Philadelphia Freedom

And of course my favorite, played EXTREMELY LOUD, Hair of the Dog!

Oh, Mickey

Submitted by

the linster (413 posts)

on May 16, 2008 - 7:41pm.

I am SO going to be cursing you at 3 a.m. when I can't sleep thanks to you and Mickey.

Oh

Submitted by

sunnyday (198 posts)

on May 16, 2008 - 10:14pm.

Mickey, What a pity, You don't understand, You take me by the heart, When you take me by the hand-

;-)

group singalong songs, no questions asked:

Submitted by

alex (50 posts)

on May 16, 2008 - 5:41pm.

dont stop believing

like a prayer

and a little ditty called, since you been gone.

Sisters are doin' it for themselvvveeessss

Submitted by

Traveler (167 posts)

on May 16, 2008 - 6:00pm.

... Standing on their own two feet,

Ringing their own belllllllllsssssss ...

Also, Miz Arthea's "R-E-S-P-E-C-T" gets the loud, proud and waaaayyyy off-key treatment with me and mine. Unfortunately we are also proof postive that not all Black folks can sing. We do keep the beat though, 'cause we do have some pride ...

out loud

Submitted by

Laid Back Chick (8 posts)

on May 16, 2008 - 6:03pm.

Songs that have to be sung out loud and at the top of your voice are:

Don't Stop Believing- Journey

Livin' on a Prayer- Bon Jovi

"Reach for the moon, if you fall you'll be among the stars."

these arms of mine- otis

Submitted by

sloane (126 posts)

on May 16, 2008 - 6:52pm.

these arms of mine- otis redding

don't speak-no doubt

ain't no sunshine- bill withers

ribbon in the sky-stevie wonder

earth, wind, and fire- september

seasons of love-rent

etta james- i just want to make love to you

when will i see you again- the three degrees

wow, it always seems like i'm singin something

Submitted by

guiltyone58 (47 posts)

on May 16, 2008 - 9:49pm.

the bitch of living, totally fucked, touch me-spring awakening

take me or leave me-rent

real world-matchbox 20

hey jude, all you need is love, can't buy me love- the beatles

you and i both-jason mraz

and for the disney freak that i am...

part or your world, kiss the girl, a whole new world, belle(reprise), so this is love

i usually sing anything i'm listening to if i know the words..or at least the chorus! :)

Can't Stop the Beat -

Submitted by

Nintendo (26 posts)

on May 16, 2008 - 11:12pm.

Can't Stop the Beat - Hairspray what can I say I'm a sucker for musicals

Denk Mal - Wir Sind Helden, Thanks to playing too much singstar

Like the Way I Do - Melissa Etheridge, Everytime I go out in Frankfurt I know I will see a loud, intoxicated group of lesbians singing this song

A LOT

Submitted by

StarFire (86 posts)

on May 17, 2008 - 12:28am.

Just a very few songs out of a million that I can't help but sing to.

Up to the Mountain/Kelly Clarkson. I don't know why I like sad slow songs but I really like singing this one.

What's Up/4 Non Blondes. One of few songs I fell in love with as a child and memorized.

Two out of three ain't bad/Meatloaf. I blame my mom for this one, she would blast 80s music when she drove us anywhere as kids and this one is now stuck in my head.

I Walk the Line/Johnny Cash. It's just too catchy.

And again, thanks for my mom for this one but ANY Conway Twitty song (especially Don't Cry Joni or Fifteen Years Ago). She would play his greatest hits CD over and over and over *sighs*.

I'm Henry The VIII, I Am

Submitted by

SergeantPepper (10 posts)

on May 17, 2008 - 12:40am.

By Herman's Hermits. You can't just listen to it. Every time I hear it, I belt that sucker out like there's no tomorrow. And you have to sing it with an english accent even if you sound ridiculous.

I'm her eighth old man

Submitted by

Layla (100 posts)

on May 17, 2008 - 12:44am.

I'm her eighth old man named Henry! (Excellent choice).

"Most Lesbians are deliberate cowards. Usually they're too lazy or too full of themselves to go out and get themselves a man." (The Shadowy Sex, Hilary Hilton)

She wouldn't have a Willy or a Sam

Submitted by

SergeantPepper (10 posts)

on May 17, 2008 - 1:08am.

You might not think so once you heard me.

Your posting

Submitted by

sunnyday (198 posts)

on May 24, 2008 - 4:52pm.

reminded me of:

Duke, Duke, Duke, Duke of Earl, Duke, Duke,...

No way that comes on and you don't sing to it, just doesn't happen-

Elvis All the way

Submitted by

Elvis730 (54 posts)

on May 17, 2008 - 12:55am.

Well I guess it's no surprise...but I do love my Elvis. I usually sing along with most of his songs from the 70's (Burning Love, Suspicious Minds, Just Pretend, It's Only Love....and lots more) But I also sing along with Cher lol...good times my friends Also ABBA! You can not sit there and not sing along to an ABBA song. Dancing Queen is one of the best songs ever!

~Elvis Presley~
There's a Nong Nang Ning
Where the trees go Ping!
And the tea pots jibber jabber joo!

Yes. Totally Elvis. My

Submitted by

Layla (100 posts)

on May 23, 2008 - 11:29pm.

Yes. Totally Elvis.

My sister and I do a mean duet of "Kentucky Rain" and "If I Can Dream." Elvis is always amazing to sing to.

"Most Lesbians are deliberate cowards. Usually they're too lazy or too full of themselves to go out and get themselves a man." (The Shadowy Sex, Hilary Hilton)

Just a few of my favorites...

Submitted by

Leah (16 posts)

on May 17, 2008 - 5:36am.

Since U Been Gone - Kelly Clarkson

Lady Marmalade - Xtina, Pink, Mya, Lil' Kim, Missy Elliot

You Shook Me All Night Long - AC/DC

Dirrty - Xtina

Back Again - BBMak

Stop - Spice Girls

Wannabe - Spice Girls

_______________________________________

Clive Davis can kiss my ass...

Too many to choose but...

Submitted by

Skywalking (5 posts)

on May 17, 2008 - 6:55am.

I'll say just a few of the ones I never fail to hum or sing along (quite badly!!! I would say...).

1. I still haven't found what I'm looking for - U2

2. We will rock you - Queen

3. Unchained Melody - The Righteous Brothers

4. My Girl - The Temptations

5. When I Grow Up - Garbage

And I could go on, and on...because I really love to sing along...hehehe!!!!

I agree!

Submitted by

x.Lorna.x (22 posts)

on May 18, 2008 - 2:17pm.

When I Grow up is brilliant, especially the "bah bah bah baaah"s =]

As well as:

Scar - Missy Higgins

Anything from I'm Not Dead - Pink

Hold On - KT Tunstal (LIVE!!!)

Livin' On a Prayer - Bon Jovi

Mr Blue Sky - ELO

Redneck Lesbo - Corday (It's such a laugh! Anything from Superhero is awesome)

Let's just leave it at that... There are so many!

Like The Way I Do by Melissa

Submitted by

Caroline (43 posts)

on May 17, 2008 - 10:46am.

Like The Way I Do by Melissa Etheridge. Brilliant song. Unfortunately, it's the only MLE song my friends know. =(

Free Fallin - Tom Petty and

Submitted by

Cheezemack (7 posts)

on May 17, 2008 - 2:06pm.

Free Fallin - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

With or Without You - U2

Total Eclipse of the Heart - Bonnie Tyler

I think We're Alone Now - Tiffany

Hungry Eyes - Dirty Dancing Soundtrack

Carpenters, Neil Diamond, and Fleetwood Mac

Submitted by

HotHandle (131 posts)

on May 17, 2008 - 2:47pm.

are some of my favorites. Anything from the 70s or 80s (Culture Club, Squeeze, OMD) works for me. Joan Armatrading ("Drop the Pilot", "Me Myself I") has got it going on too. I may be considered an "old fart" at 48, but hey, at least my music keeps me young (and I look 38 instead of 48, maybe that helps too).

Old school ...new school

Submitted by

evenmore (10 posts)

on May 17, 2008 - 6:52pm.

The Misfits - Saturday Night

ANYTHING by Sam Cooke

ANYTHING by P!nk

and Dusty Springfield kicks it for me too

The greatest thing you'll ever learn, is just to love and be loved in return.

Eclectic Belting ...

Submitted by

Pirategrrrl (1142 posts)

on May 19, 2008 - 4:23pm.

Songs I stop to sing for:

Born to Run - Springsteen

Thunder Road - Springsteen

Because the Night - Patti Smith/Springsteen

Hey Ya! (I HAVE to dance as well) - OutKast

Forever in Blue Jeans - Neil Diamond

Passionate Kisses - Mary Chapin Carpenter

Elinore Rigby - The Beatles

there are more ... but I think 7 is enough for now.

Speak what we feel not what we ought to say...

YESTERDAY ONCE MORE by The Carpenters

Submitted by

1cor13 (55 posts)

on May 17, 2008 - 9:34pm.

Those were such happy times

And not so long ago

How I wondered where they'd gone

But they're back again

Like a long lost friend....

Lookin' back on how it was

In years gone by

And the good times that I had

Makes today seems rather sad.....

Those old melodies

Still sound so good to me

As they melt the years away.....

The song's nostalgic theme appealed to me. Mind you, I was only 15 and couldn't understand English without a dictionary, but I got it. Karen Carpenter's accent was clear and I learned English pronunciation a lot better by singing along their songs than in school.

ooh my list of bad-singinness.

Submitted by

refrigeratoraider (483 posts)

on May 18, 2008 - 12:17am.

Of course, as someone mentioend earlier

"Livin on a Prayer" - Bon Jovi

'have you ever seen the rain' - CCR

'don't stop believin'- journey

'Wanter: Dead or Alive' - Bon Jovi (you know what? they're just good for that.)

'What's up?' - Four Non-Blondes (a karaoke classic, if you will.)

'ironic' alanis!

'Bohemian Rhapsody' and 'we are the champions' - queen

'the reflex' - Duran duran

actually, most 80s songs like 'you spin me round' 'tainted love' '

i like to randomly sing 'we've only just begun' by Carpenters and 'afternoon delight' by..whoever sang that.

actually i'm gonna stop typing now because i basically sing all the time. I sing my actions.

*gettin out the shower, steppin on the mat. Gotta work out cuz i'm gonna get fat.*

I got a dick like a mule...with a big dick.

Screamalong songs

Submitted by

almatha (5 posts)

on May 18, 2008 - 1:47am.

Afternoon delight is from The Starland Vocal Band.

But I like to sing along with My Guy. Those ridiculous lyrics always make me scream with laughter.:

I'm sticking to my guy like a stamp to a letter,

like birds of a feather, we stick together.

I tell you from the start

I can't be torn apart

from my guy.

I also like to scream along with everything from La Franklin.

And my favourite is River Deep Mountain High by Ike and Tina turner.

With that one I can really scream along, it scared more than one colleague

YEAH, YEAH, YEAHHH!

Anything.

Submitted by

Lor. (84 posts)

on May 18, 2008 - 4:21am.

I tend to belt out anything I know the words to.

Makes me happy :=]
Not so much everyone else though =p

Anything.

Submitted by

Lor. (84 posts)

on May 18, 2008 - 4:21am.

I tend to belt out anything I know the words to.

Makes me happy :=]
Not so much everyone else though =p

the best bust it out songs

Submitted by

Danygirl (16 posts)

on May 18, 2008 - 1:26pm.

DONT STOP BELIEVIN- journey

NOBODY MOVE NOBODY GET HURT- we are scientists

THE NTH DEGREE- morningwood

FEVA FOR THE FLAVA-hot action cop woooooooo! so many classics

and of course

FAST CAR- tracy chapman

SEMI CHARMED LIFE- third eye blind

While I'm delighted to

Submitted by

Piccalilli (5 posts)

on May 18, 2008 - 3:12pm.

While I'm delighted to destroy any Carpenters' song with the addition of my own vocals, I do relish Goodbye to Love in particular for its additional air guitar opportunities. As for handclappingly feisty sing-a-longs a la R.E.S.P.E.C.T, I do recommend In The Basement, sung by Etta James and the splendid Sugar Pie de Santo.

tracey ullman

Submitted by

Batman (256 posts)

on May 18, 2008 - 6:26pm.

They don't know.

______________________________________

Cloverfield? 1-18-08-underground.com...

I forgot about that song!

Submitted by

sunnyday (198 posts)

on May 24, 2008 - 4:57pm.

"They don't know about us, they've never heard of love."

I remember her singing that on Johnny Carson, and wearing a tutu-like thing.

Total blast from the past!

(Tracey Ullman side note- I used to love the end of her show when she'd come out in her bathrobe and throw her arms in the air at the audience and tv audience, and yell, "Go away! Go away!")

Thanks for the memory! :-)