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PICTURES OF THE WEEK 10th January 2022
jeanniejeanniejeannie.co.uk BLOG Monday 10th January 2022

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
PICTURES OF THE WEEK 10th January 2022

To someone who loves to write like me photographs suggest enough ideas to write lots of books based on the pictures. Do they you?

“A picture is worth a thousand words”. So, the old saying goes. To me it inspires a million words.

I love pictures and I love words. I “see” what they mean about pictures though, but as a writer I find pictures a major inspirations to write. They spark my creative juices. And a word can inspires 1,000 pictures.

Artists Alex Wreckage and Joe Rush admire their sculpture of world leaders on the beach near Gwithian, ahead of June’s G7 summit in Cornwall.

BEN BIRCHALL / PA MEDIA
TOP TEN OF THE DAY
Top 10 Reasons Being An Ol’ Fool is Awesome

Everyone loves, gruff, though well-meaning and kindhearted Grandpa Zeb Walton, often lovingly called an “Ol’ fool” by wife, Esther. So, we were thinking what makes the “Ol’ fool” cool?

10. Ol’ Fools…can keep a secret.
9: Ol’ Fools…know the value of work-life balance.
8: Ol’ Fools…are secure in their own sense of style.
7: Ol’ Fools…appreciate the important things in life.
6: Ol’ Fools…are always good for a word of advice.
5: Ol’ Fools…always come to the rescue.
4: Ol’ Fools…know how to pick a winner.
3: Ol’ Fools…know how to get out of a pickle!
2: Ol’ Fools…appreciate the refined flavor of a good “recipe.”
1: Ol’ Fools…are easily swept off their feet by love.

REMEMBER: THE MOST WASTED OF ALL DAYS IS ONE WITHOUT LAUGHTER.
– Nicolas Chamfort

INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE FOR THE DAY
Accept what is, let go of what was, and have faith in what will be.
HAPPINESS IS…
Happiness is…not January.
GRANDAD’S ONE LINER JOKE OF THE DAY
Had some green coloured ice cream… It was mint!
LOVE IS…
Love is…a lifetime of memories to look back on.
TURN…TURN…TURN!
A time to look at the photographs that tell the story of how 2021 evolved… A time to look at the photographs that tell the story of how 2020 evolved.
MUSIC, MUSIC, MUSIC!
The best karaoke songs of all time
When it comes to karaoke, a little forward-planning can go a long way. While you might want to look as though you just stepped onto the stage on a whim, in reality it pays to have a crowd-pleaser in your back pocket!

That obscure indie hit or ambitiously high-octave number might seem like a good idea after a few drinks, but the rest of the bar might not agree… Even if you’re the type of person who’s bold enough to step up to the mic without a drop of alcohol courage, it’s still worth paying attention to your song choices. From one-hit-wonders to rock classics, the most popular karaoke numbers tend to go down well with audiences of all ages, and you won’t need to be a top singer to hit a high note with the crowd.

1. Michael Jackson – ‘Billie Jean’
Possibly the most-requested karaoke song of all time, Michael Jackson’s 1983 classic is fun to sing and, crucially, the audience is almost guaranteed to know the words.

2. The Proclaimers – ‘I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)’
Part of the beauty of this 1988 stomper is that you don’t need to be able to sing particularly well to do it justice. Popular with a beer-fueled crowd, it’s as fun to sing as it is to listen to.

3. Neil Diamond – ‘Sweet Caroline’
Classical crooners and rowdy sports fans alike tend to go wild for this song. The 1969 hit is an enduring karaoke favorite, and you don’t need Diamond’s undeniable vocal skills in order to make a decent job of it.

4. Rick Astley – ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’
Rick Astley’s 1987 hit is fondly remembered by karaoke singers of a certain age, and its popularity has passed down through the generations. A catchy, upbeat number, it’s sure to have the audience smiling.

5. The Spice Girls – ‘Wannabe’
Grab your gal pals and hit the mic with this guaranteed crowd-pleaser from 1996. Everybody knows it, it’s upbeat, and it’s not going to be ruined if somebody’s a little off-key.

6. Robbie Williams – ‘Angels’
This long-standing crowd favorite tends to be popular as closing time draws closer and people start feeling boozy and emotional. The 1997 ballad was a big hit in the US as well as Williams’ native UK.

7. The Killers – ‘Mr. Brightside’
An anthemic indie number from 2003, this has truly stood the test of time. It’s alternative enough to have ‘serious’ music fans nodding their heads, and pop enough to please everybody else.

8. Joan Jett & the Blackhearts – ‘I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll’
One for the rockers who don’t want to take on anything too heavy, this 1981 hit is a much-requested karaoke classic thanks to its powerful chorus.

9. Madonna – ‘Material Girl’
Madonna’s extensive back catalog is a rich source of inspiration for karaoke songs. And while ‘Like a Prayer’ is possibly the most popular, it’s also more challenging to sing than this 1985 hit.

10. Whitney Houston – ‘I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)’
If you do have serious vocal skills to show off, Whitney Houston’s 1987 smash hit is a good way to do so. It’s a little easier to perform than many of her other hits, but you’ll still need to be able to hit the high notes!

11. Queen – ‘We Will Rock You’
You might be tempted to give ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ a go, but there’s less chance of getting this 1977 stomper horribly wrong. The chorus is super-catchy, but you’ll need to be quick to keep up with the lyrics in the verses.

12. Wheatus – ‘Teenage Dirtbag’
This indie-punk hit from 2000 is instantly-recognizable, and doesn’t take any major vocal skills to sing well. That might help explain why it’s so popular with groups of young-ish males who’ve had a few drinks.

13. Adele – ‘Rolling in the Deep’
Adele is a popular choice when it comes to karaoke, but you’ll need some serious vocal chops to do her songs justice. If you’re confident you’ve got the range, this 2010 power-pop hit will impress any crowd.

14. ABBA – ‘Dancing Queen’
ABBA’s most popular karaoke track, ‘Dancing Queen’ is best sung as a duet or in a group. A good choice if you can’t face the stage alone, the 1976 smash hit is a feel-good tune that’s fairly hard to get wrong.

15. Britney Spears – ‘…Baby One More Time’
You can’t beat a bit of Britney when it comes to karaoke crowd-pleasers, and they don’t get more iconic than her 1998 debut. Just don’t try to imitate her distinctive vocals, or things could get embarrassing!

16. Backstreet Boys – ‘I Want It That Way’
Proving that the late ’90s were strong for memorable pop tunes, this 1999 hit is a stone cold classic that works best sung in a group. You know, so there’s somebody else to blame if the singing isn’t pitch perfect…

17. Gloria Gaynor – ‘I Will Survive’
Few amateur singers can match Gaynor’s vocal prowess, but that’s not to say it’s not worth having a go at this hugely popular 1978 classic. It helps if you have a powerful voice, but, if not, you’ll survive!

18. Prince – ‘Purple Rain’
Attempting a Prince song can be intimidating due to his trademark falsetto vocals, but this memorable 1984 track is sung in a more forgiving middle key. And it’s sure to get kudos from Prince fans too nervous to give it a shot themselves.

19. Christina Aguilera – ‘Beautiful’
Christina Aguilera’s 2002 hit is enduringly popular with female singers who want to show off their vocal skills. It’s easier to perform than some of her other numbers, but still requires a strong voice.

20. Journey – ‘Don’t Stop Believin”
A true hair-rock anthem from 1981, this song remains a popular karaoke choice. Best performed with a heavy dash of irony, it’s a fairly easy number to sing.

21. Bruce Springsteen – ‘Born to Run’
If you want to boss it on stage, look no further than The Boss himself. His back catalog is a treasure trove for karaoke singers, and it’s hard to go wrong with this anthemic 1975 hit.

22. Mark Ronson ft. Amy Winehouse – ‘Valerie’
Actually a cover of a Zutons’ song, it’s Amy Winehouse’s epic vocals that make this such a hit with the karaoke crowd. It helps if you have a decent singing voice if you want to wow the crowd with this 2007 tune.

23. Kelly Clarkson – ‘Since U Been Gone’
The powerhouse chorus and empowering lyrics make Clarkson’s 2004 smash a real hit with a crowd. Sing with group of friends for support, or go solo if you want to really shine.

24. The Beatles – ‘Hey Jude’
You’d be hard-pressed to find anybody unfamiliar with the Beatles, and this sweet 1968 number is their most-requested track for karaoke. Their multi-generational appeal means belting out this classic will appeal to all ages.

25. B-52’s – ‘Love Shack’
Fun, catchy, and instantly recognizable, 1989 hit ‘Love Shack’ is hugely popular as a group number. The style is a little shambolic anyway, so nobody will notice if you’re not note-perfect.

26. Eminem – ‘Lose Yourself’
Anyone who fancies themselves as a rapper is likely to take a try on Eminem’s memorable 2002 track. It’s a mainstream hip-hop hit appreciated by all ages, but it pays to know the words already.

27. Natalie Imbruglia – ‘Torn’
Australian singer Natalie Imbruglia had a huge international hit with this in 1997, and it remains popular among karaoke singers the world over. It’s a simple melody, and the stripped-down style will show off a decent voice.
28. Oasis – ‘Wonderwall’
The 1995 Britpop anthem is famously much-loved among amateur guitarists, and that appeal clearly extends to amateur singers, too. It’s a frequently-requested karaoke track, and you won’t need a guitar as a prop to give it a go.

29. Ben E. King – ‘Stand by Me’
Covered literally hundreds of times, King’s 1961 soulful stirrer is an impressive way to slow things down at karaoke night. You won’t need to perform any dangerous vocal gymnastics, and it’s sure to grab a crowd’s attention

Sources: (Time Out) (How To Karaoke)

©2022 Phil M Robinson

PICTURES OF THE WEEK 10th January 2022