12 THEATER MU KARAOKE PICKS

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In the latest episode of THE REMIX, writer Michelle de Joya and host Brandon Cayetano dive into karaoke and the complex musical heritage of the Philippines. Along the way, though, they name-dropped a few of the many amazing Filipino and Filipino American singers. Think Lea Salonga, Bruno Mars, H.E.R., Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls... 

To narrow down the artist catalog for some of the very best karaoke nights, we asked de Joya and the Theater Mu staff what their song recommendations were, Filipino-sung or otherwise.

Yes, You Can Sing “Driver’s License”

If you listen to today’s hits at all, you’ve heard Filipino American Olivia Rodrigo. While her first radio single may have been “Driver’s License,” she became famous through High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, and we would be remiss not to mention that Vanessa Hudgens of the OG High School Musical is also Filipino American.

Fun fact: Although “Traitor” is Rodrigo’s newest radio single, de Joya has it as her Rodrigo song of choice for karaoke night. As she says, “Big belty high-notes with strong, emotional 'I-hate-my-ex' energy are always a crowd pleaser," adding that “Before He Cheats” by Carrie Underwood is another go-to of hers.

More Filipino Appreciation

Other options from our REMIX mentions include Lea Salonga’s inspiring solo “Higher” from the musical Allegiance and Bruno Mars’ cliche but crowd-pleasing “Uptown Funk.” Andrew Mellon Foundation Playwright-in-Residence Saymoukda Duangphouxay Vongsay’s recommendations were from Filipino American artists that weren’t even mentioned in the REMIX: Kai, with “Say You’ll Stay,” and One Vo1ce, with “Never Leave Your Side.”

The Classics

Outside of Filipino artists, you can’t beat karaoke classics, including Artistic Director Lily Tung Crystal’s recommendations “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns ‘N Roses and “Material Girl” by Madonna. For a Minnesota shout out, Mu Programs Manager Morgen Chang suggests “You Got It All” by the Jets, and as a tribute to her Hawaii relatives, “Love and Honesty” by Hawaiian Style Band.

The karaoke song that immediately comes to Mu Development Director Wesley Mouri’s mind is “I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing” by Aerosmith—just not for the reasons you might think. 

“One of my favorite karaoke memories was visiting a tiny hole-in-the-wall karaoke bar in Osaka, Japan,” he says. “When I stepped up to order a drink, the bartender heard my accent and immediately began yelling, ‘American! American sing! Aerosmith!’ They refused to serve me my drink until I led the entire bar in a rousing rendition of Aerosmith's ‘I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing.’ Needless to say, the drink ended up being free.”

And Journey… If It’s by Arnel

And lastly, any song by Journey is a shoe-in for karaoke night, but for an Asian American tribute, you’ve got to find the version with Arnel Pineda, who became Journey’s lead vocalist in 2007. Mu Managing Director Anh Thu Pham was reminded of this fact when she was at a party that demanded Journey be put on. So Pham did… just the version with Steven Perry.

Luckily, the right version with Pineda was easy enough to find, and they were able to sing the night away, as can you. 

For more karaoke ideas—and for what song not to sing if you value your life—watch the second episode of THE REMIX, hosted by Brandon Cayetano and written by Michelle de Joya.