Sing at your own Risk: “My Way” of Frank Sinatra

We’re supposed to write mainly about the good things about the Philippines in this blog, but I find myself revisiting this rule when I read about a recent article in The New York Times about a particularly significant song. It reminds me of a previous article I wrote, reproduced below. Consider this a reminder: When you visit the Philippines and you get this irresistible urge to sing in a karaoke/videoke, always be mindful of this cardinal rule.

It’s not a crime to sing. This is true even in the Philippines, where singing is taken seriously. It’s a national hobby. You ever wondered why Wow! Magic Sing microphones are selling like pancakes (or shall I say, fishball)? Everybody loves to sing, except, perhaps, me. Although I love singing, it’s a one-way relationship.

Anyway, I recall someone was stabbed in a Malabon City karaoke bar and another shot dead in San Mateo. Both victims were singing the all-time favorite karaoke song – Frank Sinatra’s “My Way”. It’s not known as the “killer song” for nothing. Apparently, the other patrons disliked the victim’s rendition of the song. Everyone knows (if you don’t know it yet, try singing “My Way” in a karaoke bar) that many have been stabbed or killed because of that song.

Filipinos love to sing and that’s regardless of one’s singing prowess. Singing is in the same league with “texting” when it comes to popularity in the Philippines. “My Way,” on the other hand, is easy enough to sing and it’s not surprising that it’s a popular choice. Heck, I could even sing that song, but, of course, I won’t. It could be irritating to hear someone singing it worse than you do. It could be irritating to hear so many persons belting it, badly, after you and so many others have sang it, probably also badly. That, and the alcohol served in karaoke bars, are the perfect ingredients for disaster.

I heard “My Way” had been removed from karaoke machines in certain bars, but this may not be enough to solve the problems because there are other “killer songs.” If you know such songs, let us know. Let’s start with the following:

My Love Will See You Through
One in a Million

To be sure, the stabbing or shooting incident was not the first. And it’s not going to be the last. The moral of the story? Sing at your own risk.