5 Lessons Karaoke Taught Me About Public Speaking
I’ve done karaoke exactly twice in my life.
Once seven years ago and the second time just a few days ago.
Both experiences were different, but each one taught me that karaoke and public speaking share a lot in common.
You’re holding a mic, you’re on a stage, and you’re trying to entertain an audience.
The difference?
With public speaking, you’re delivering a message.
With karaoke, you’re delivering a performance.
I remember when karaoke tracks included background vocals to help you stay on track.
That made things easier.
If you didn’t fully know the song, the guide vocals could carry you along.
But these days, it’s just you and the instrumental.
That means if you don’t sing, the audience hears nothing but music.
It’s gotten harder over the years.
But that’s a good thing.
It challenges you to step up and participate.
Here are five key lessons I learned from karaoke…
Lesson 1: The Audience Is More Forgiving Than You Think
When I recently did karaoke, I did a pretty bad job vocally.
But I still managed to win the crowd over.
Before starting, I grabbed the mic and said, “I just got married!”
In reality, I got married four months ago…but hey, it worked.
The audience instantly warmed up to us.
We were on a cruise ship, and the crowd was fun, relaxed, and cheering us on.
People were tipsy, happy, and just enjoying the moment.
That made me realize that most audiences want to support you.
They’re not looking for perfection.
They’re looking for energy and effort.
Lesson 2: Just Sign Up & Ask Questions Later
My wife and I were hesitant at first.
Should we go up?
What song should we do?
Our music tastes are completely different, so choosing a song we both knew felt tricky.
But once we decided on one and wrote our names down, things started rolling.
The first night, we didn’t get called (too many people).
But the second night, we did, and it was a blast.
The lesson?
Don’t overthink it.
Put your name in the hat, and figure it out from there.
Action beats hesitation every time.
Lesson 3: Karaoke Can Turn You into a Mini-Celebrity
After we performed, people kept coming up to us:
“Hey, you’re the newlyweds!”
“Loved your energy!”
“You guys were so cute up there!”
It was surreal, especially because I thought I sounded awful.
But again, karaoke isn’t about being great.
It’s about being real.
Mediocrity, in this case, was actually rewarded.
And that reminded me, you don’t need to be amazing to be memorable.
You just need to show up with enthusiasm and heart.
Lesson 4: Karaoke Is Not Easy
Karaoke is hard! You have to:
- Read lyrics on the screen in real-time
- Stay on rhythm
- Remember how the melody flows
- Perform and engage the audience
It’s a full-on coordination exercise.
It’s easy to assume karaoke is simple, but once you’re up there, it requires real focus.
Lesson 5: Karaoke Makes You Appreciate Lyrics More
Normally, when I listen to music, I focus on the vibe, not the lyrics.
But karaoke changed that.
Hearing and singing the lyrics made me realize how much depth many songs have.
I left the karaoke night with a much deeper appreciation for music and lyrics.
Just Go For It
I used to think karaoke was a silly or even “feminine” thing to do.
But this time, most of the people going up were men.
I’m glad I jumped in.
Karaoke, like public speaking, reminds you that you grow the most when you participate.
It’s easy to sit on the sidelines.
But the real magic happens when you take the mic.
For more insights into public speaking, check out the Speaking Wizard eBook
– ArmaniTalks 
