Karaoke Assassin

Well it was bound to happen.  According to a New York Times article today, karaoke singers in the Philippines are being murdered in frightening numbers.  And the majority of them are being bumped off after singing "My Way".  I can't say that I'm surprised.  And I AM NOT MAKING THIS UP (to borrow a phrase from Dave Barry).You can click the link above (New York Times) and check for yourself.  Apparently Filipinos take their karaoke pretty seriously and will not tolerate sub-quality performances.  If your voice is no more than a croak, well you just might croak.  Experts studying the phenomenon are not sure why "My Way" sung badly evokes the most homicidal tendencies, but they speculate the song is just so darn familiar, you  darn well better do a good job of it.  (My own theory runs more to "OH NO!  NOT 'MY WAY' AGAIN!  PLEASE, SOMEBODY STOP HIM!!")

According to the article, "Karaoke-related killings are not limited to the Philippines. In the past two years alone, a Malaysian man was fatally stabbed for hogging the microphone at a bar and a Thai man killed eight of his neighbors in a rage after they sang John Denver’s "Take Me Home Country Roads".  Karaoke-related assaults have also occurred in the United States, including at a Seattle bar where a woman punched a man for singing Coldplay’s “Yellow” after criticizing his version."

Mostly the violence is limited to the occasional brawl when someone gets too many turns at the mike, but I can't say I blame them when tempers boil over into murder and mayhem after listening to several hours of drunken karaoke divas and dudes.    In fact, I'm thinking that there may be a career opportunity as a Karaoke Specialist gun for hire.  I might apply for the job myself.