There’s something magical about being in the car with your family, a road trip playlist queued up, and the windows down. For me, those moments have turned into something more serious—something legendary. I’m talking about my title as the“King of Carpool Karaoke.” It’s not a self-given title, by the way. My kids crowned me after years of, well, enthusiastic performances in the driver's seat. And honestly, I wear it with pride.
Where It All Began
It didn’t start as a quest for the throne. Back when my kids were little, it was about keeping them entertained on long drives. You can only hear “Are we there yet?” so many times before you get desperate. So, I turned up the radio and started singing. Not just any singing, though—I committed. Full-on facial expressions, dramatic hand gestures (one hand kept on the wheel, of course), and a surprising range of vocal styles, from boy band falsettos to deep rock ballads.
At first, I got eye-rolls and groans from the back seat. But then something clicked. Maybe it was my rendition of“Bohemian Rhapsody” or my unexpected rap skills for “Ice Ice Baby.” Whatever it was, my kids couldn’t resist joining in. Before I knew it, car rides turned into full-blown performances.
My Go-To Setlist
Every carpool karaoke king needs a solid setlist. Mine has been carefully curated over the years based on two factors: songs that let me shine and tunes that the whole car can belt out. A few staples:
- “Livin’ on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi: An absolute classic. You can’t not scream the chorus.
- “Let It Go” from Frozen: Yes, I still sing this, even though my kids claim they’re “too cool” for it now.
- “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers: Perfect for high-energy drives.
- Anything by Taylor Swift: Let’s just say, I’ve been inducted into the Swiftie club.
The beauty of these songs is that they’re universally fun. Whether it’s my teenager rolling her eyes but singing along anyway or my youngest doing his best to stay on beat, everyone gets involved.
Earning the Crown
What makes someone the king of carpool karaoke? Is it technical skill? Definitely not in my case. My voice isn’t winning any awards. But I think it’s about enthusiasm, creativity, and, most importantly, fearlessness. You’ve got to be willing to go all in, even if it means embarrassing yourself a little. The way I see it, if my kids are laughing, I’m doing something right.
One time, I took it a step further. It was a rainy Saturday, and we were stuck in weekend traffic. To liven things up, I pulled out a pair of sunglasses from the glove compartment, tossed a hat on backward, and turned up “Uptown Funk.” I didn’t just sing—I performed. My wife was crying laughing in the passenger seat, and the kids were recording me on their phones (which I’m still half-convinced ended up on TikTok).
Moments like that are why I take my title seriously. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about creating memories.
The Unexpected Perks
What I didn’t expect when I leaned into my carpool karaoke “career” was how much it would bring us together. Life is busy. Between school drop-offs, work, errands, and a never-ending to-do list, there’s not always a lot of time to justconnect. But those car rides, with everyone singing their hearts out, have become our little moments of joy.
It’s also a great stress reliever. Bad day at work? Blast some Queen on the way home and sing like nobody’s listening (even though your kids are cringing in the back seat). Need to wake up on a groggy Monday morning carpool? A loud, dramatic performance of “Don’t Stop Believin’” can do wonders.
Karaoke Mishaps (Because Not Every Performance Is Perfect)
Of course, not every carpool karaoke moment has been smooth. There was the time I got so into a song that I missed a turn, adding 20 minutes to our drive. Or the time I attempted to harmonize with my daughter during “Shallow” from A Star is Born—let’s just say, I should’ve stayed in my lane, both literally and musically.
And then there are the occasional mutinies. Sometimes my kids have had enough of my antics and demand “normal driving” with “no singing.” I oblige, of course, but only for a song or two before sneaking in a gentle hum.
Passing the Torch
As much as I love being the King of Carpool Karaoke, I know my reign won’t last forever. My kids are getting older, and soon enough, they’ll be driving themselves around. Maybe they’ll carry on the tradition, or maybe they’ll look back on my performances with a mix of fondness and mild embarrassment. Either way, I’m just glad we had these moments.
For now, I’m holding onto the throne. The car is my stage, the steering wheel my microphone, and the road my audience.And as long as there are songs to sing and kids to embarrass, you can bet I’ll be doing what I do best—ruling the carpool with music, laughter, and just a little bit of chaos.
