Karaoke: a metaphor?

Having lived in Asia since 1993, I continually grow more and more fascinated by karaoke both as an entertainment form and as an art form. So much so that I wanted to write a book about it! Do I like singing karaoke? If I am found in a karaoke environment it’s usually as a spectator – the rare person who enjoys watching the karaoke videos ("rare" because, as all of the characters in The Karaoke World of Cortous Haire say, “No one really ever watches the videos, they only look at the words”).

This got me thinking about karaoke as a metaphor for life. We don’t look at the big picture anymore. We’re too bogged down my small details, words that may not have any meaning to us. What is karaoke? It’s drama, it’s fantasy, it’s escapism, it’s role playing. Karaoke is also a great way for people to “re-invent themselves”. They love the opportunity to play rock star or pop diva. They say that the Japanese invented karaoke as a way to "relieve stress". Its become much bigger than that now, though. People throughout the world are enjoying karaoke. It’s a global entertainment phenomenon.

The Karaoke World of Cortous Haire is a novel that tries to prove that karaoke is actually a metaphor for life.

Cortous goes to Asia to "re-invent" himself. He arrives during a turbulent time. 1997 brought many of the economies of Southeast Asia to a crashing halt. It devastated the lives of millions and took years to recover from. The story ends in early 2000 when everyone was very uncertain about the new millennium. Unpredictable times make for an unpredictable journey –- and this is exactly what Cortous experiences. His obsession with finding a karaoke star and “making her big in Laos” plays a parallel theme to the struggle of trying to find his way in the world. Karaoke is his temporary “escape” (much like it is for all of us). When Cortous does finally "see the big picture" he learns valuable lessons about his life. It’s karaoke that takes him there.

If you have thoughts on karaoke as a metaphor or any other musings on karaoke and its impact on you or your life – contact me. Remember, the big picture is worth watching!