Norfolk Minibus Hire may have made karaoke available to coaches, but it also became a spectator to some legitimate musical abuses and turned a simple Bluetooth battle between aux cord users into an event that rivals The Voice’s blind auditions with its intensity.
Examples of these crimes include: failed attempts to sing “Bohemian Rhapsody” (attempts that lead to much argument within the group), one trying to create a version of a rap verse that has already been completed but disputing its validity, and that one person who believes they are Adele but definitely is not. Additionally, let’s not forget how quickly someone’s Spotify Wrapped reveals poor choices in music. All this is happening at a rate that rivals when Simon Cowell has to press “X.”
Why suffer in silence when we can suffer together?
Group singing in this context is similar to Carpool Karaoke without James Corden’s presence. Given that the music that has been created on a coach may likely exceed that produced during the summer at Glastonbury, in terms of sound production and chaos, the coaches must take note of Norfolk Minibus Hire’s ability to delicately navigate the politics surrounding what is played during the ride. Volume levels are monitored, as song permissions are adhered to, and the overuse of Ed Sheeran’s songs is limited through diplomacy.
Democracy through the Aux Cord (it’s Not Really A Democracy)
Theoretical: This means that everyone takes a turn to play their songs, which creates a diverse set of musical harmony similar to what one would expect from a Spotify curated playlist.
Reality: The ability to play music on the aux cord has turned into something comparable to the political battles of Game of Thrones. Somebody plays Mr. Brightside three times in a row (why three times in a row?). Another person cues up their underground playlist that no one else asked for. There is also that one friend that thinks it’s OK to play Nickelback ironically (it is not).
Norfolk Minibus Hire uses their sound systems for many different purposes – playing everything from the entire Eras Tour by Taylor Swift, to someone who inexplicably is still playing Gangnam Style in 2025.
Singing Along: A Hierarchy
S Tier (Participation From Everyone): Sweet Caroline, Don’t Stop Believin’, Wonderwall (yes still), All of ABBA’s catalogue
A Tier (Good Showing): Livin’ On A Prayer, anything by Fleetwood Mac, Queen – the Greatest Hits, performed at Freddie Mercury’s level of enthusiasm and at a level of Karaoke bar level execution.
B Tier (Debated): Spice Girls (generational disagreements), Oasis (debates about pronunciation arise from this song), anything you actually need vocal ability to sing.
F Tier (Clearing out the coach’s)—An experimental jazz playlist, demos of SoundCloud by that friend, music that was described as “post-genre ambient”.
C Instances of the Phenomenon Norfolk Minibus Hire Witnessed Often
The quiet soul who, without warning, finds themselves channelling Beyoncé while singing along to “Crazy in Love.” The sports club’s members who rap “Lose Yourself” with the intensity of Eminem but the accuracy of kindergarteners. The corporate team that shares a common secret love of Disney songs and may face prosecution for violating local noise pollution statutes.
We have carted choirs that were (by all accounts) pretty fantastic, stag parties that weren’t very good at all, school groups that have transformed Hamilton into a participatory performance and that one time where every person knew every single word to each and every Shakira’s song and did so phonetically!
The Driver’s Strategy for Survival
Earplugs made specifically for construction sites. Noise-cancelling devices designed by NASA. Zen meditation practices borrowed from Buddhists. Accepting that “Wonderwall” is inevitable (you can’t stop it!)
Musical tastes differ; passion does not.
Sing poorly. Travel boldly. Say you are sorry to the driver!