What would you do, if I sang out of tune?

I've been thinking about the topic of singing lately.

I once read "All I needed to know I learned in Kindergarten". All I really remember is the author pointing out:

• If you ask a group of children "who can sing?", they will all raise their hands enthusiastically.
• If you ask a group of adults "who can sing?", you'll get crickets.

He went on to say how we are bombarded with virtuosity. And this was before American Idol.

However, karaoke is huge: surely some people think they can sing. (And despite the extreme urge to mock, many karaoke participants are very good, actually).

I can hold a tune, but I'm not doing karaoke without serious preparation (and I have no time or interest for that). As a youth, I used to sing a lot when I was alone. It made me happy. When I was very young, I listened to The Beatles often and I probably sang to that.

I have noticed that since taking up piano, I hum and sing much better. I have a better sense of key, something that guitar never afforded me. I have no idea how to breathe properly, though, which seems vital. I learned this from an ill-fated COCA class which I dropped out of frustration -- another story.

Interestingly, my family does not sing in church. That's a pity. Ah well... As is well-documented on here, I enjoy some key singers in my church back home, especially at Christmas time.

Though you'll never hear me, here are some favourite songs of mine, to sing:

• Amazing Grace
• Blackbird
• Wasn't that a party? (by the Irish Rovers!)
• Sweet Child o Mine (a lovely song, despite Axl's attempts to kill it)

I don't sing them often but the following are a short list of 'perfect' songs, when it comes to melody and lyrics:

• Eleanor Rigby (dear heaven, what a song)
  
• Yesterday
• Christmas in the Trenches (John McCutcheon), more so for story
  
• You Had Time (Ani Difranco), more so for lyrics and sentiment
  

I once met John M at a bluegrass festival, and gushingly told him that I thought Yesterday and Christmas in the Trenches were the 2 perfect songs. He was unimpressed but kind.

What a random post on a Friday night....

CC

ps. Do you sing? Which songs?

pps. Yes, my favourite Beatle is Paul. John was divine, but if I have to pick...