Karaoke: The Key to Catharsis

Lights down. Music up. Eyes closed. Mouth open. The instrumental background track of some Top 40 2000’s pop song comes blasting through the speaker. Right now, it’s “Hey Ya!” by Outkast. I follow the glowing words on the screen, laughing as my voice hits all the wrong notes at all right times. Between each chorus and verse giggles explode out the speaker. My fingers grip the microphone as I twirl around the room underneath the multicolored lights. I sing without judgment. I dance without fear. Karaoke: the key to catharsis. 

While I don’t consider myself the best singer or dancer, I use karaoke as an outlet to release all the tension and built-up energy. I mean what’s more cathartic than shouting along to some of your old favorite songs after suffering from stress? When confusion and chaos overtake my life, I rely on karaoke to recenter myself into a peaceful state of mind. Whether I’m singing with friends at my local karaoke place or singing alone in my bedroom,  restoring a sense of calmness through these karaoke sessions rejuvenates my spirits at times when life's burdens become too much to bear. 

My first experience with karaoke occurred my junior year of high school after a few of my older friends introduced me to their favorite local spot. I was nervous. I could already feel my anxiety rising at the thought of singing out loud in front of others. I was never a singer. The extent of such an ability only existed in the individual comforts of an early-morning shower or late-night car ride. I was panicking. Would I be dying of stress or embarrassment? After the woes and worries of managing a rigorous school schedule, my body craved some type of way to expel all these pent up emotions. And with the help of a single karaoke session, I realized I could do just that. 

Karaoke is the ideal non judgemental environment, a safe space where people—whether subpar and skilled—are free to express their feelings. Experiencing such a liberating experience through song helps to uplift the soul. The value of karaoke lies in its unapologetic existence. It encourages you to make mistakes so long as you keep singing along to the music. Regardless if you are a terrible singer or horrible dancer, the true fun exists in the freedom to embrace the authentic awkwardness that comes with karaoke. 

It was almost as if I could sing the stress away. I entered the room with a thousand questions: Would my voice sound good? Would my dance moves be okay? Would my experience turn out alright?  I left, however, with only one: When would I be going again? Ever since my first karaoke experience two years ago, I have been returning with friends and even family. Each time brings new smiles and songs, mess-ups, and memories. 

I remember singing along to Quiet Riot with Christian and Xander or Fleetwood Mac with Nevada and Nick or Journey with my mom, dad, and brother. The energy that karaoke creates is unparalleled. For a brief moment in time, you can set aside the awkwardness and embarrassment to just sing your heart out with no regrets—and such an opportunity rarely exists. It fills you with a refreshing sense of self. I think people often overlook karaoke’s cathartic qualities. The nature of the activity allows you to speak through songs. Heartbroken? Sing “All Too Well” by Taylor Swift. Exhilarated? Sing “Time of Our Lives” by Pitbull. Angsty? Sing “Misery Business” by Paramore. Lovesick? Sing “Locked Out of Heaven” by Bruno Mars. 

Rather than suppress your emotions, you can lose yourself in the lyrics, finding ways to bring them to life in your own way. Karaoke adds a personal layer of meaning to your favorite songs. While you may know every word by heart, you never know what new memory a song will bring. This experience makes it seem as if you are suddenly listening for the very first time: reborn through the music. Karaoke cleans out all the negative energy in your heart to fill in the empty spaces with a feeling of pure euphoria. 

With each new song I sing, my love of karaoke grows louder and louder. Every time I close my eyes, I prepare for the moment to restart. Lights down. Music up. Eyes closed. Mouth open. The instrumental background track of some one-hit wonder 80s song will come blasting through the speaker. Right now, it’s “I Melt With You” by Modern English...