Since we’re all sad from what went down at this year’s (or last year’s) Miss Universe pageant, the best remedy for our sadness is singing. Karaoke, in particular. If you’re in need of karaoke songs for maximum cathartic effect, here are 8 quintessential birit songs for you to sing:
8. Basang Basa sa Ulan (Aegis)
Drenched in the Rain, translated. This is everyone’s favorite karaoke song. The challenge is to sing the song in the same octave as it was originally sung. Birit moment: The key change
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CA6SMDQoUtk]
7. Through the Fire (Chaka Khan)
Chaka Khan! This song is far from chaka, because this is a birit classic. Birit moment: “Through the test of tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiime”
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tyj1uLacxtg]
6. Listen (Beyoncé)
A favorite in singing competitions, singers auditioning sing this song to flaunt their range. This is the quintessential diva song in her catalog. Birit moment: “I’ve tried and tried to say what’s on my mind, YOU should have known oh”
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGYEDhWuP_w]
5. Through the Rain (Mariah Carey)
Classic music video. This was during Mariah’s Charmbracelet era. Birit moment: This is one of Mariah’s softer songs, but the song soars to birit levels by the last line of the bridge, then key change.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRNdmkH8zrI]
4. When You Believe (Whitney Houston & Mariah Carey)
Diva showdown! This is from the animated film, The Prince of Egypt. Birit moment: The glorious bridge (“…says hope is very neaaaar”) and final chorus
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKaXY4IdZ40]
3. Dadalhin (Regine Velasquez-Alcasid)
Will Bring, translated, as in The wind will just bring my dream away. The primera biritera of the Philippines, Asia’s songbird. Sad lyrics + epic melody = karaoke classic. Birit moment: “Ang lahat ng ito’y pinangako moooooo-oh-oh-oh-ohhh”
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEE4N3Zg4RI]
2. And I am Telling You I’m Not Going (Jennifer Hudson version)
Another one from the Dreamgirls soundtrack, for which Jennifer Hudson won her Grammy. Her performance in the movie was her breakthrough moment into stardom. Birit moment: “Tear down the mountains, yeah scream and shout…” to the end
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsiSRSgqE4E]
This song was originally sung by Jennifer Holliday, who also gave us this iconic moment from American Idol. Slay!
1. I Will Always Love You (Whitney Houston)
Arguably, the mother of all birit songs. Birit moment: “And IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII”
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JWTaaS7LdU]
(You may listen and sing along to all of the aforementioned songs in this Youtube playlist.)
What are your go-to karaoke birit songs? Share them in the comments below.
