On my last night in São Paulo (in early Oct. 2007) some of the girls said goodbye through the language of drunken friendship: karaoke. This was a glorious night to remember. Ligia, Bibiana, Leticia and I rocked it. Behold, Leticia and I in full force, trying not to strain our voices, reading the telepromopter, and hoping that we didn't sound like off-key frogs all at the same time...
Actually I thought we sounded pretty darn good, at least in comparison to the clientele that must frequent the joint. I believe it was the Lorena Hotel Internacional in the Jardins district.
Now, the place wasn't exactly packed...
But did that stop us from giving it our all? Heck no! The one audience member loved us and gave us consistent applause before he'd start up with his own song again. I know what you're thinking; the praise was just by default. Oh no. This guy didn't clap for just anyone. I couldn't really understand what he was saying but I think it was stuff like "Brilliant!," "You should record an album!" and "Best version I've ever heard!"
Our choices were classic:
- To Be With You (Mr. Big)
- Baby One More Time (Britney Spears)
- Total Eclipse of the Heart (Bonnie Tyler - had to look that one up on Google because no one knows that)
- Fire and Rain (James Taylor)
- Zombie (The Cranberries)
- With or Without You (U2)
- You Outta Know (Alanis Morissette)
A nice selection of slow and fast, male and female, 70s to the 2000s. And what made it all the more wonderful was hearing those American songs sung in Brazilian accents. One of those times in my life I wish I had recording device. Just precious.
