The Origins of Karaoke

 

Karaoke is a popular activity for people around the world. It’s not hard to imagine why, given that it’s a simple, fun group activity that appeals to a wide variety of tastes. What some people may not know, however, is that karaoke originates in Japan. I’d like to share a bit of the history of karaoke, as its origin and development in Japan have gone on to influence entertainment in the rest of the world.

First, to summarise for those who may not be familiar, karaoke is a term that refers to a form of interactive entertainment that involves singing along to popular songs, usually in a designated area. The technology used to facilitate this varies from place to place, but usually involves a dedicated karaoke machine. These devices typically play instrumental versions of popular songs, while displaying the lyrics on a screen and providing a microphone and amplification for the singer. While personal and even virtual versions of these devices exist, they are typically found in dedicated karaoke bars or other places specializing in hosting parties.

Karaoke originated in Japan in the 1970s. The audio technology needed to create these machines were just beginning to become popular and affordable at the time. The identity of karaoke’s original inventor is disputed, and there are several people who claim to have come up with the idea during the same time period. One person widely credited as an inventor was musician Daisuke Inoue, a drummer who performed in restaurants and private dinner parties. After receiving requests from audience members for recordings of his music, he made a simple device that played recordings of his performances. Singing along to these recordings became a popular pastime, and then business expanded to include other songs and artists.

Initially, karaoke machines were mainly found in restaurants and hotels. As their popularity increased, more specialized facilities called karaoke boxes began to open, providing a venue for private parties to enjoy karaoke. Another type of venue to emerge as a result was the karaoke bar, which provided drinks and allowed people to participate in karaoke in a more public setting.

In modern times, karaoke is a huge industry, bringing in over 10 billion dollars yearly. It is a common activity for a wide variety of situations, from birthdays parties to casual weekend gatherings. As technology has continued to develop, so has the number of ways in which karaoke is experienced. Karaoke apps are available on mobile phones, and video games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band have incorporated elements of karaoke successfully. While it is a fairly universal form of entertainment now, its name still hints at its Japanese origins, being a shortened phrase translating to “empty orchestra.” It remains even more popular in its home country than anywhere else, making it one of Japan’s most iconic cultural exports.