We all know karaoke means music, karaoke means singing and above all karaoke means fun!
But do you know what it actually means? Where does it comes from? Where is it practiced the most? What is the longest karaoke session?
Here are 10 fun facts you might not know about karaoke.
- Karaoke began in the 1970s thanks to a Japanese restaurateur turned inventor, Daisuke Inoue. Read all about the history of karaoke.
- The most requested karaoke song depends on who you ask and where you are, but reportedly the top five of all time include Summer Nights - Grease, Let it Go - Idina Menzel, Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond, Billie Jean - Michael Jackson and Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen.
- According to the Japanese Visitor’s Center there are more than 100,000 karaoke boxes in Japan.
- Philippines holds the title for the most in-home karaoke boxes with reportedly one in almost every home. Read more about karaoke around the world.
- Sinatra's famous My Way is prohibited in many bars in the Philippines as the lyrics, considered to be arrogant, have provoked attacks on its singers.
- Karaoke World Championships are real. Fifteen years and going strong, this year's championships will be held in Finland in November.
- China holds the record for the longest karaoke session with 456 hours, two minutes and five seconds (that’s 19 days!) and a record 6,281 karaoke songs sung.
- Karaoke means empty orchestra in Japanese.
- The Italian Leonardo Polverelli, holds the Guinness World Record for the longest marathon karaoke. He sang 1,295 songs for four days straight (a total of 101 hours 59 minutes and 15 seconds.
- Singing karaoke has been proven to relieve stress, boost confidence and strengthen social connections. All proven ways to live a longer, happier life! Read more.
