We have 'topics' for our sings. It helps to focus the mind and often prevents hearing the same favorite song done over & over & over by someone. (The first singaround I ever attended many years ago had one old guy who did "The Strawberry Roan" month after month.)

But having a topic and making some folks scramble to lear...or re-learn... something to fit can also mean they don't quite have it 'cold', and thus need the book or cheat-sheet. I have a simple rule...if I can close my eyes and not REALIZE they are using a book, I don't mind. If all they are doing is being sure they don't forget that tricky phrase in verse 3...fine.....but when they pick a song they don't know 2 hours before coming...then puzzle out the tune & phrasing as they go...arrrggggghhhh! (I..ummm...did this myself once, thinking that I had heard it enough to know the tune. Well, I DID know the tune - well enough to know every time I missed a note. It was embarrassing, and I have not repeated that error.) I am not your 'polished musician', but I have learned ..mostly...what to avoid.