Question 1

The last time I went to karaoke was last year around September when I was still living in Wakayama. I went with my husband and some friends from work, one of them brought their husband and daughter along. I sang "Heart Station" from Utada Hikaru, I had a duet with my friend's daughter, we sang "How Far I'll Go" from Moana and I sang a Tagalog song as well called "Tadhana" (it means "fate") from one of my favorite bands, Up Dharma Down. We had a wonderful time! Everyone had so much fun. The men really enjoyed singing the Japanese song "Linda."

Question 2

I really enjoy singing. I don't know if my voice is any good, but I really enjoy singing. I like singing in Karaoke because I can sing as loud as I want and it's always fun to sing with friends.

Question 3

Tadhana is one of my favorite songs. I love somber melodies and the lyrics are very meaningful to me.

Question 4

Tadhana means "fate" in Tagalog. The song is about two people from opposite ends of the world meeting, and one of them is offering a safe space for the other one. Of course, this song appeals to me because my husband and I came from opposite sides of the world and fate has brought us together and we now live happily in Japan, making our dreams come true one step at a time.

Question 5

I'm easily moved by amazing singing, I can feel the hair on my arms and back stand up when I hear really good singing. I guess the last time I was really amazed by someone singing was when I went to watch the Miyako Odori. I have always wanted to watch the Miyako Odori, as I LOVE geisha culture and traditions. I used to research about them fanatically and know so many facts. I was finally able to watch the Miyako Odori last year on my 30th birthday. I don't remember what the song was about but the music and the geishas dancing made me tear up a little because of how beautiful it was.

Question 6

One of my favorite singers is Laura Marling. They sing indie songs, indie mean independent, meaning they don't really fall into the usual categories like pop or rock or something else. She never really became famous, a lot of people still haven't heard of her. I love how deep her music sounds and how her lyrics are like poetry.

Tough Vocabulary

- English -	- Japanese -
somber	暗澹

Question 1

I went to Jankara with my wife and daughters a couple of month ago. We sang songs like 'Panda Kopanda' and 'Doraemon no Uta' together. My children sang 'Paprika' and other similar songs. I sang some classic rock songs. We had a great time. I always enjoy karaoke, with my friends or with my family.

Question 2

I really enjoy singing at karaoke. I love music, and for me it is simply fun to sing.

Question 3

My favourite song is probably the Queen of the Night aria from Mozart's opera 'the Magic Flute.'

Question 4

It is a virtuoso showcase for coloratura sopranos, that requires them to hit a very high note (F over high C). It depicts a fit of vengeful rage in which the Queen of the Night places a knife into the hand of her daughter Pamina and exhorts her to assassinate Sarastro, the Queen's rival, else she will disown and curse Pamina.

Question 5

I have seen the band Pearl Jam in concert several times, in several countries. They are not well-known in Japan, but they are one of my favourite bands. The singer has a powerful and beautiful baritone voice and their songs often have personal meaning and connection for me. I have been moved close to tears more than once while listening to them perform.

Question 6

My favourite singer is Louis Armstrong. He is a legendary jazz and blues performer who was popular and famous as a performer from the 1920s through the 1960s. He was an enormously influential singer, who basically changed the way that people sung and played and thought about music. Without his influence, western music would be very different. In addition to being a great singer and performer, Louis Armstrong was also one of the greatest trumpet players who ever lived.

Tough Vocabulary

- English -	- Japanese -
coloratura soprano	コロラトゥーラソプラノ
vengeful	復讐心

Question 1

I think I went to karaoke in 2014 for an ex-coworkers going away party. I think that I sang only one song. "Wonderwall" by Oasis. I was terrible, my voice is scratchy like a heavy metal singer's. But I had a good time.

Question 2

I do not like singing at karaoke but I like watching and listening. I do not get any enjoyment from singing - sorry for being negative.

Question 3

I guess "Wonderwall" by Oasis as my singing voice is scratchy like the lead singer's.

Question 4

I think that it is a love song but I am not 100 percent sure about that. I like it as most people know it and it is short.

Question 5

It may sound strange but I was moved by a heavy metal band who I saw live. The group is Slayer (they are an extremely aggressive sounding band) who sang a song called "Angel of Death" which is about the horrors of the holocaust.

Question 6

I am a massive heavy metal fan. I love so many bands but I guess my first love was Black Sabbath (Ozzy Osbourne was the lead singer). They became famous in the late 1960s and are regarded by almost everyone as the pioneers of heavy metal and other heavy music.

Tough Vocabulary

- English -	- Japanese -
scratchy	擦り傷がつきやすい
regarded	みなし
pioneers	元祖
holocaust	ホロコースト