Raised in California, Adam Lambert dreamed of becoming a performer after enjoying parts in amateur productions from You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown to Fiddler on the roof, as well as singing at his family’s synagogue, and with his school’s jazz band. Though Lambert planned to attend college in Orange County, shortly after he enrolled, his passion for music overcame him and he left school to pursue a performing career in LA. “I just decided that what I really wanted to do was try to work in the real entertainment world,” Lambert has said. “Life is all about taking risks to get what you want.”

Lambert auditioned for the eighth season of American Idol, having told media that the decision was affected by his recreational use of certain substances and his realization that, “we all have our own power, and that whatever I wanted to do, I had to make happen.” In his initial auditions, Lambert performed Crazy, Rock with you and Bohemian Rhapsody, and later What’s up, Believe and Some kind of wonderful. Although being labeled by judges as too theatrical, he was still voted into the top and able to compete on the show.

Lambert was able to make it through American Idol with little critique, except at times for his over the top performances. More often than not, Lambert received incredibly positive responses, including at one time a standing ovation from guest judge Smokey Robinson, and comments like Kara DioGuardi’s, “”Every week I cannot wait to get to the show and see what you’re going to do next.” after Lambert’s performance of The tracks of my tears. But Lambert’s most memorable performance, considered to make him a shoo in for the win, was his rendition of Gary Jule’s Mad world.

Though Lambert was an extreme favorite, even with numerous controversies revolving around his personal life, he was not able to beat his Idol roommate and almost exact opposite, Kris Allen. Together, before the winners were announced, Lambert and Allen performed We are the champions alongside Kiss, showing a comradeship even after Allen’s win. “Adam deserved this,” Allen said, later adding, “he was the most consistent person all year. He was seriously one of the most gifted performers that I’ve ever met.”

After Idol, Lambert was able to maintain his star status, though he described the transition as “really tricky” Going on to add, “It is a whole other industry. The rules are different. Your music is based on a lot more than just popularity. The hardest thing about the show is maintaining your own integrity as an artist. You have to work hard. Nothing happens instantly after the show.”

Still, For your entertainment, Lambert’s debut studio album, released in 2009, showed no signs of struggle topping the charts. In its debut week it reached the third spot, popular for its collaborations with artists like Pink and Lady Gaga, as well as for its unique sound and praised as “pure pop pleasure here, more than any immediate post-Idol album has ever delivered.” Whataya want from me, Lambert’s second single, became his first Top 10 and gained him a Grammy nomination for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.

This week saw the release of Lambert’s second album, Trespassing, featuring the lead single Better than I know myself, praised as having soaring and impeccable vocals on this melodically challenging song. Overall, the album seems to be closer to Lambert’s heart. “I had time to make this album,” said Lambert, who co-wrote many of the songs and served as the album’s executive producer. “I do feel that sonically, lyrically and emotionally, this album is a surprise for people, and myself.”

You can enjoy singing Better than I know myself and other hit songs from Adam Lambert here on Red Karaoke or with our newly innovated iPhone and iPad app in high quality mp3.

As the first major solo single released by Cyndi Lauper, Girls just wanna have fun not only became her most iconic song, it also became highly recognized feminist anthem, an award-winning video and a worldwide hit. Girls just wanna have fun has even been called one of the most defining songs of the ’80s and was honored by Rolling Stone, MTV and VH1 for its memorable music video.

A song as popular as Girls just wanna have fun isn’t going to stay under one name for long, and though Cyndi Lauper’s version is of course the most loved, there are plenty of other versions that have tried to knock the original from its musical pedestal.

Perhaps one of the most successful covers - and oddly most distinctly different - was the slow and subtle acoustic version of Girls just wanna have fun by Greg Laswell. This mellow rendition was so highly regarded, it was featured in 2007 in the show Damages, and then in 2009 in films Confessions of a shopaholic and My sister’s keeper, before being covered on the hit show Glee. Talk about a rival for fans!

And as if Laswell and Glee weren’t enough to give Lauper a run for her money, teen queen Miley Cyrus also covered the hit in her own peppy pop style for the Disney Channel. Though her version of Girls just wanna have fun didn’t happen to land on any major albums, there is no doubt of its popularity among her young fans.

We happen to love both the upbeat original version of Girls just wanna have fun by Cyndi Lauper and the slower tempo cover by Greg Laswell - especially when sung by Cory Monteith on Glee, not to mention we can’t get enough of Miley Cyrus. So why don’t you help us decide by posting in the forum - Who sang it better?!

In case you’ve missed the memo, boy bands are back, and they’re younger and trendier than ever. One Direction, the UK group that has taken British hearts by storm has crossed the ocean to conquer the twittering tweens of the United States. Now you can have fun singing their upbeat single What makes you beautiful, whether you’re alone or in a group, right here on Red Karaoke.

Loyal fan of the lone heart throb singers? Well then you’ll be pleased to see that we’ve added the fringed boy wonder Justin Bieber’s latest chart topping crossover between teen pop and R&B, Boyfriend to our karaoke archives. Take a listen to his ever growing set of pipes and see if you can top his rendition with your own.

Serious R&B fans shouldn’t feel left out however, because we’ve got a little something special for you too. Though it missed its chance to be a top single, Alicia Keys kick butt Put it in a love song did make it onto our top lists of mp3 backing tracks. Find a friend to sing Beyonce’s feature and you’re all set to record your own version of this track.

Those ladies looking for something a bit peppier this weekend can enjoy the newest hit from Canadian Idol fourth place winner Carly Ray Jepsen, Call me maybe, the song that’s already topped the charts abroad and is slowly knocking the American singers out of the way.

Whatever your style, whatever your age, we’ve got something new for everyone. So make sure to start your weekend off right by checking out the new releases on Red Karaoke and picking out something fun and fresh to record.

In 2000, two struggling solo artist came together after finding little success in their own individual careers. Mexican singer and guitarist Leonel Garcia had tried for years to find a recording deal, but after meeting Noel Schajris, another composer and musician hailing from Argentina, the two realized they might achieve more if they worked together.

With varied styles and preferences for instruments - guitar and piano - Garcia and Schajris’s first writing and recording sessions produced interesting results, a collaboration of sounds and style that led to a huge success with their first album, Sin Bandera or “Without a flag”, named after their duo’s title and for their own ideology that the world is one and needs no label, just like love and music.

Entra en mi vida, or “Come Into My Life”, was Sin Banera’s first single, written by the pair about the magic of love, and later used in a popular Mexican soap opera. The following singles Kilómetros (Kilometers) and Sirena (Mermaid) also became favorites among teens and adults alike, leading to their every growing success in Spain, Argentina, the United States, Costa Rica and many other countries around the world.

Sin Bandera began receiving handfuls of recognition, including a 2002 award for Best Group Album at the Latin Grammys, as well as various ¡Oye! and Lo Nuestro (Best Pop Album) awards, and an MTV Latino award for Best Artist. But this would pale in comparison to the popularity and success of Sin Bandera’s second album, De Viaje.

De Viaje or “Traveling” would give Sin Bandera 16 continuous weeks on the Billboard charts, with their singles Que lloro (I cry), Mientes tan bien (You lie so well), Amor real, Canción para días lluviosos (Song For Rainy Days) and Puede ser (Maybe) ranking, including three of which would chart at number 1, a feat achieved by only two other Mexican artists, Shakira and RBD. Due to the enormous gains with De Viaje, Sin Bandera was once again nominated for the fifth annual Latin Grammy awards, where they won the award for Best Pop Vocal Group Album for the second time around.

Sin Bandera’s following albums Mañana (Tomorrow) and Pasado (Past) would produce the top ten singles Suelto a mi mano (Let go of my hand), Si tú no estás aqui (If you are not here) and Será (It will be), all part of re-working and new compositions which Garcia described as “The tunes which fascinated us when we were young adolescents… and the songs that move us now.”

In 2007, Sin Bandera released their Greatest Hits album Hasta Ahora or “Until now” before amicably parting ways to once again pursue their personal, solo career. The two reunited in 2009 to record once again, and remain one of Mexico’s most internationally recognized and celebrated musical groups.

Friday is a night for celebrating, and celebrating goes best with a good dance song. So we recommend the hit Danza Kuduro, the chart topping single from Don Omar, who himself is celebrating an eight award sweep at the Billboard Latin awards. The Puerto Rican hip hop artist will surely party hardy in honor of his winnings, and you can too singing Danza Kuduro this weekend on Red Karaoke.

If you’re feeling a bit more low key, can we recommend the single that made Bob Marley an international household name, No woman no cry, in honor of the release of Marley, a new documentary by the same director of incredible films Touching the void and The last king of Scotland. Honor this musical icon as well as the film be recording your own rendition of one of his many hits.

Those of you spending the weekend at home with the special man or woman in your life might enjoy taking a gander at John Mayer’s newest music video that was released this week, Shadow Days. Even stuck at home you can share in the feeling of adventure it exudes, before crooning Your body is a wonderland to each other right here on Red Karaoke.

And last but not least, in honor of the latest version of Broadway’s hit family musical Annie and its newest leading 11 year old lady, a little something for the whole family to enjoy and sing along to, Tomorrow.

Whatever you’re doing this weekend, there is always time to sing, and on Red Karaoke, there is plenty to choose from. So enjoy one of these great suggestions, or find your own in our expansive karaoke catalogue!

Winning one of the UK’s greatest music competitions at the age of 12 is no big deal when your mother is a renowned concert pianist and you started the writing music at the age of five, as is the case for Jasmine van den Bogaerde, better known by her current stage name Birdy.

After winning Open Mic UK, Birdy went on to be signed by Good Soldier Songs Ltd, run by Christian Tattersfield, chairman of Warner Bros. Music UK and the label 14th Floor Records, who helped her release her first single at the age of 11 in 2011, a cover of Bon Iver’s indie record Skinny Love.

Not only was Birdy’s cover of Skinny Love featured in the popular show Vampire Diaries, her rendition of The XX’s single Shelter and one of Red Karaoke’s newest addition as also featured on the show.

With the release of her debut album last fall, a handful of won awards, and a song contributed to the soundtrack to The Hunger Games, Birdy’s popularity is just now taking flight… so be sure to be the first to record Birdy’s newest RK single, Shelter.

Oh what a beautiful mornin’

As the opening number from Oklahoma!, its easy to recognize this Broadway classic, but what makes Oh what a beautiful mornin’ especially unique is its status as the first ever a cappella opening to any musical. Are you brave enough to sing this one without music?

If I loved you

The perfect theme song for shy lovers, If I loved you is the famous musical number from Carousel in which the characters of Billy Bigelow and Julie Jordan sing this song as they hesitantly declare their love for one another. Perhaps this is the perfect song for you to dedicate to that secret crush of yours…

Younger than springtime

The jazz standard and classic from South Pacific, Younger than springtime is a Red Karaoke favorite for its endearing lyrics that perfectly evoke that feeling of first love. The hardest part is choosing our favorite rendition of this wonderful ballad, from Frank Sinatra to Matthew Morrison of Glee, though maybe yours will top our list

Hello young lovers

Can you tell we are suckers for love songs? If not, our next Rodgers and Hammerstein favorite is yet another truly beautiful song about both enduring and youthful romance, Hello young lovers, from the incredible classic and Red Karaoke favorite The King and I.

Climb ev’ry mountain

And last but certainly not least, a very hard pick considering all of the amazing choices there are in our last featured Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, The Sound of Music. We ended up choosing a little something inspirational with Climb ev’ry mountain, the gorgeous song that perfectly shares our desire to take every step towards attaining one’s dreams.

Check out all of these great Rodgers and Hammerstein classics, or share your own favorites here, in the Red Karaoke forums or post a rendition on the official Red Karaoke facebook page.

Pop fans will be pleased to see that Katy Perry’s newest single and Top 10 hit Part of me is here and waiting for a singer to slam it out of the park - but what we really want to know is, what do you think of the crazy music video Katy recorded this time around?

And speaking of crazy videos, Starships by Nicki Minaj really takes the cake. In fact, we think it would be awesome to see some Red Karaoke-ers layer on the bright colors and makeup for their own video recording of this chart rising single.

On the other hand, if you’d like to take the crazy down a notch, you could always find a friend and sing Drake’s newest release Take Care, which features the incredible Rihanna, as a duet and really blow the other Red Karaoke-ers out of the water. But if you can’t find anybody to sing with, just give last week’s release from Rihanna, Man Down a whirl on your own.

Not feeling the radio hits this week? That’s okay, we’ve got something very special for those of you who want a little something more unique. Another British song bird (get it?) Birdy has arrived to the Red Karaoke catalogue with her indie pop cover, Shelter. Can you rival this overseas talent with your own rendition?

Check out these great new karaokes in our catalogue, or browse through all of our different categories to find your own perfect song to sing.

Just over a month ago we removed the ability to create new blogs, upload new Mp3s and videos for the reasons that we mentioned, and today we have proceeded with closing those sections permanently. If you try typing in any Red Karaoke Url of these services, you will be redirected to our homepage.

We of course continue working on many new fronts with the sole goal of providing you with the best karaoke in the world. This week we have updated our Android application, which includes features optimized for Tablets and for Samsung devices.

But this is only one of many improvements that will continue to come in the next few weeks. We’ll have loads to tell you about including new recording tools in the application, new themes, etc. etc. And in just a few months you’ll see a whole new redesign of Red Karaoke.

Make sure to stay on top of our all the new features so that you don’t miss a beat.

Tiny Dancer in Almost Famous

One of music’s favorite films, Almost Famous, tells the story of a young journalist following a band in order to write for Rolling Stone Magazine… and while the entire film tells an incredible story about each character, our favorite scene - and the inspiration for this blog - is the memorable moment on the tour bus when the weary group begins singing along with Elton John’s unmatched hit Tiny Dancer, becoming a musical moment no one could forget.

I say a little prayer in My best friend’s wedding

In one of Cameron Diaz and Julia Robert’s earliest and most endearing films, the two actresses play women in love with the same man. However, Robert’s attempt to make her love interest jealous backfires, as she is subjected to an embarrassing display of affection - and of course - group singing of the upbeat I say a little prayer in what would become the favorite of all chick flick’s sweetest unexpected musical numbers… ever.

Bennie and the jets in 27 Dresses

And speaking of great chick flick moments, here at RK we couldn’t have loved the scene in which a drenched and drunk Katherine Heigl and James Marsden argue about the oh so confusing words to the catchy tune Bennie and the jets, and then proceed to lead the entire bar in a hilarious rendition of the Elton John favorite.

Can’t take my eyes off of you in 10 Things I hate about you

However, when it comes to musical movie moments that have taken our breath away, it’s hard to top Heath Ledger winning his love - and us - over with a very public rendition of the very romantic Can’t take my eyes off of you in one of every teen girl’s favorite films 10 Things I hate about you.

I feel pretty in Anger management

And last, but certainly not least, to lighten up the mood, we have Adam Sandler’s comical yet brilliant accented crooning of the West Side Story classic, I feel pretty, as part of his anger management therapy. The best part? Jack Nicholson’s perfectly timed la la las

Here’s your chance to show us here at Red Karaoke what you’ve got by singing your own group karaoke or duet to one of these movie inspired songs - and give these famous actors a run for their money!