It's interesting to note that some people refer to "memorizing the lyrics" and others to "learning a song," and they are referring to the same thing but displaying different value judgments.

I admit that it's a good thing to memorize the lyrics to a song - I just don't do it very well, and I hate to have to stop a song in the middle because I've forgotten the lyrics. I feel like I've learned a song when I can sing it well.

I sing in a church choir most Sundays, and I've been singing most of our songs for years. I often don't hold a hymnal, because I don't like knocking it into the head of the woman in front of me - but I occasionally glance at her music to avoid mistakes, even though I have most of the songs memorized.

When I sing folk music, I use "cheat sheets"; but again I glance at them for help when I need it and don't need to read much.

That's what I feel comfortable with. That's my choice of how I do it. Judge me from the quality of my singing, not on how I obey or disobey your expectations.

-Joe Offer-