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We are still far from having the perfect karaoke MP3 solution. Little by little, with the popularity of “American Idol” and video games like “Karaoke Revolution,” companies are beginning to sell devices that work with iPods to facilitate the downloading-singing process. However, for serious songbirds, an all-in-one karaoke system like The Singing Station is well worth the $149 and it plays every format imaginable.

There are several things to look for when downloading karaoke MP3 files. Some files feature recordings from the original band members, with the vocals removed. Others have professional recording artists performing the tracks, with the vocals removed. Other tracks come with the vocals and allow you to cancel out the vocals on your karaoke system, if your system comes with that feature. It is important to understand the features and the limitations of your karaoke equipment before you start browsing for music.

Another factor to consider is its extension. Most downloads will come as “.mp3″ files, although some may say “midi,”"mp3+g” or “mp4.” Midi sometimes sounds like keyboard music and is often a very different version, so you will want to avoid those. The MP3+G are good because they have the lyrics included that can be output to video. MP4 format may be a music file and an accompanying music video file, which is fine if you want the videos more than the lyrics.

Apple’s iPod changed how we experience music for the most part. We have come to expect music that travels with us everywhere and works across media formats, such as on stereos, in our cars, on television sets and on computers. So naturally, you may also want to blend your love of karaoke with your iPod technology. If you have an iPod and you shop at the iTunes store, then you may be surprised to see that your karaoke MP3 files don’t automatically come with the lyrics included! You can buy the iKaraoke microphone ($49.99 at www.griffintechnology.com) easily enough but you’ll need to get the lyrics manually by right-clicking on the song in iTunes, choosing “get info” and clicking on the lyrics tab. Once you find the lyrics online, you will need to cut and paste them into the box; then when you queue up the song, press the “select” button until the karaoke lyrics pop up. While it seems like a pain for every song in your collection, eventually iTunes will have a quicker way of doing this, just as they now have quicker methods of downloading artwork for the CDs in your collection.

There are a number of sites offering legal karaoke MP3 files for purchase. At www.singme.com, you can download karaoke MP3s for 88 cents and video karaoke for $1.50. They specialize in children’s music, nursery rhymes, gospel and holiday music. At www.amazon.com, you can download 73,219 karaoke MP3s for 89 to 99 cents each. Other sites with large selections are www.karaoke.com, www.karaoke-version.com and www.ez-tracks.com. With a monthly subscription to Napster for $12.95/month, you can download unlimited karaoke music files to be played on your computer or your iRiver.

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Karaoke has its roots in 1970s Japan. The Kobe City port was an international mecca, often referred to as “the gateway of fashion and trend.” In fact, instant noodles, automated ticket gates and saunas all stemmed from this region. Whenever a strolling guitarist canceled a gig, bar owners would bust out accompaniment tapes for their patrons to sing along to, which would up becoming a popular pastime not just in Japan, but around the world. Perhaps it was the suppression of individualism, the pent-up frustrations of working such long hours or the exportation of karaoke around the world that ensured the karaoke party never stopped.

In the 1980s, Pioneer started churning out karaoke songs on laserdisc. Japanese companies like Victor and DKK followed suit to produce English karaoke hits. When CDG karaoke came out, playing accompaniment tracks and bouncing lyrics across TV screens, the karaoke craze had officially hit America. Hudson marketed one of the earliest mainstream karaoke machines, the “TurboGrafx-16,” which sold for $400 and enjoyed a very short shelf life before dying off. In the early nineties, DK Karaoke produced a collection of ninety-nine karaoke hits, containing everything from Bel Biv Devoe to Lenny Kravitz, which became the standard in every venue. Entertainers hired for parties, weddings and other events added karaoke to their rosters, thus solidifying the pastime as a fun party activity.

At the turn of the millennium, karaoke took on a more serious note in American culture. With the advent of shows like “American Idol,” aspiring talent saw the opportunity to sing karaoke as pop star or rock star practice. In the past, the best singers would occasionally receive a standing ovation, a free drink at the bar or a small pot of prize money. Today, however, singers can get recruited by agents hidden in the audience and awarded with lucrative multi-million-dollar contracts. Everyone enjoys a good sing-a-long these days and Numark was quick to revolutionize karaoke equipment with the KMX01, KMX02 and CDN25+G, which make performances even more professional-sounding.

While there are thousands of karaoke songs to choose from, some reign supreme. Guys should try belting out Bruce Springsteen’s “Born In the USA,” which is a good beginner song that can’t possibly sound any more discordant than the original. To rock out with their inner rockstar, guys should also consider ACDC’s “You Shook Me All Night Long,” Bon Jovi’s “Livin On A Prayer,” Steppenwolf’s “Born To Be Wild,” Motley Crue’s “Girls Girls Girls,” Def Leppard’s “Pour Some Sugar On Me” or Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Popular karaoke tracks for girls include: Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” Gloria Gayner’s “I Will Survive,” No Doubt’s “Just A Girl,” Aretha Franklin’s “Respect,” Madonna’s “Like A Virgin,” Joan Jett’s “I Love Rock N Roll,” Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You,” Shania Twain’s “I Feel Like A Woman,” Britney Spears’ “Womanizer,” Pat Benatar’s “Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” Carole King’s “It’s Too Late” or Nancy Sinatra’s “These Boots Are Made For Walking.”

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