car singing

     This morning, on my way to school, I was doing my usual crooning along with whatever happened to be playing over the stereo from my mp3 player. I love singing in the car. The enclosed space provides nearly shower-like acoustics--plus the stereo, and minus the unwanted audience. Never mind the fact that when I really get into it, I become a hazard to everyone around me. It's a good thing my drive to school is all rural roads.
     Sometimes, I'll turn the stereo down so it's just loud enough to hear the vocals, and quiet enough to hear myself sing. Usually, I'm nearer baying hound hot on a coon trail than masterful vocalist, but I do what I can. Today, I challenged myself to stay as near as possible to the pitch of the playing artist as I could for three songs, and critique my results. Liken it to doing vocals for Rock Band, except you give yourself a score.
     First up was "Poison and Wine" by the Civil Wars (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfzRlcnq_c0). It's a duet, so I played the part of John Paul White. I'm no Joy Williams. Not really much of a John Paul White either, but his is the easier part of the harmony. I had to say I didn't do too badly. My voice only cracked into a prepubescent falsetto once or twice! Anybody who has heard me sing knows what I'm talking about.
     Next up was "Would You Go With Me" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AST8fosZHQ) by Josh Turner. I nearly giggled when I heard him strum the opening chords. This was going to be fun. And fun it was. His looooow voice is so much fun to imitate. Again, I held together reasonably well.
     Brimming with confidence, I waited for the final song to be queued up. I was feeling pretty untouchable. You can only imagine my horror when the song "This Ain't Goodbye" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHdgN8t_EYw) by Train came up.
    You win, Pat Monahan. You win.