Skip to main content

Jonathan Richman - I Was Dancing In A Lesbian Bar



Jonathan Richman's I Was Dancing In A Lesbian Bar reminds me of last night.

Yesterday was my birthday. In typical fashion, after my responsibilities as husband and father were lovingly fulfilled and the sun had set on the quiet suburbs of Portland, I drove straight into the city for some karaoke. Throughout the evening I sang three songs and danced harder than I have in years.

In Richman's song, the protagonist finds himself feeling like an outsider at a night club. The clientele is too cool to dance and less than welcoming. Soon he is invited to go dancing in a new spot by some kind strangers. They lead him to a lesbian bar that is the polar opposite of the first club. Everybody's dancing and having a good time. Richman has found a place of belonging in the most unlikely setting. That's how I felt at the karaoke club last night. I've been in literally hundreds of karaoke bars in a handful of countries. As a first-timer, singers can be met with indifference, exclusivity and even hostility. Once, in college, I was nearly beaten up for singing Spice Girl's Wannabe. The irate protestor had to be removed from the club. Last night, however, I found a bar where "things were done my way."

I came out of the gates strong with Erasure's hateful ode to heartbreak, I Love To Hate You. The club was mostly empty at that point. A few spectators looked on curiously and grinned at the sight of my theatrics and attempt at vocal histrionics. Shortly after, droves of people started arriving. Between songs, the DJ played dance music - some new, some old. Soon the dance floor was packed. At first this seemed like a distraction and extended the wait time for singing songs. However, within a few songs, I too joined the cabaret (at my friend's behest) and was getting down to Flo Rida's Low. By the time I took the stage to sing my second song, The Darkness' I Believe In A Thing Called Love, I had difficulty hitting the falsetto in the first chorus. After a somewhat shaky start I regained control vocally and was able to belt out "Just listen to the rhythm of my heart!" with confidence. As I expected, the song was a hit. As a general rule, karaoke crowds appreciate male falsetto (even if you botch it). An older gentleman at the bar inquired, "Were you singing a Scissor Sisters song?" I responded, "No. The Darkness," which made little sense to him. By the time I sang my last tune, Toto's Africa, the dance floor was packed. Club goers were lined up along the front of the stage screaming the lyrics and waving their arms like they were at a concert. This was the most enthusiastically supportive karaoke crowd I've ever experienced. With each song, the dance floor grew increasingly more friendly. Every singer was greeted with rabid applause and treated like a star.

"Well in the first bar things were controlled
But in this bar things were Rock and Roll!
In the first bar things were so controlled
In this bar things were way way bold"


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Trending Tracks

The Alarm - Marching On (Live)

Never underestimate the power of corporeal politics. Today, hundreds of thousands of people marched through the streets of American cities demanding political action on gun control. In downtown Portland, ME thousands streamed down Congress St. and gathered at City Hall. I was there. It was powerful. When you are united with others in your community, marching, there is an energy -- a sense of unstoppable momentum. It is also reassuring. We are not alone in standing up to the insanity. We are one. I am inspired by the Americans (especially the women and young people) who have once again discovered the power of peaceful, non-violent protest. If we continue to march in these numbers, politicians will hear us. The continuing volume of our chants and rhythm of our marching feet, knocking at their door, will remind them to legislate on behalf of us -- the people. All of the money in the world can't pay back the moral deficit and heal the wounded conscience of NRA-backed legislators...
Post a Comment
Read more

Jules & the Polar Bears - Good Reason

Jules & The Polar Bears is one of those bands that you want to like, but continue to remain on the fence about even after a decade of failed listens. Recently, I've been sampling bands from the late 70s and early 80s who released fake new wave albums -- major label acts who played middle of the road rock, but disguised it in skinny ties, brightly colored sweaters and catchy, Cars-y keyboard riffs. Jules & The Polar Bears are a good example. Their first record, 1978's Got No Breeding, was compared to Dylan, The Kinks and Springsteen. Personally, I hear a quirky Jackson Browne in the songwriting. Everything sounds bearded and mid-tempo, except Jules Shear, the singer. He gives the band a distinct sound with his "singing at the top of my range" yelp. But even with Shears' interesting squelch, the songs never break out of 70s rock conformity. The guitarist's resemblance to a member of Orleans or Doobie Brothers is telling. Enter 1979's "Fenêt...
Post a Comment
Read more