I don't get to sing karaoke often — less than once a month, for sure. But I still have a karaoke playlist on my phone that I frequently add to. Karaoke is just plain fun — even if it's not a regular pastime.
If going into a dark room with a group of other people to sing classic hits makes you feel terrified, don't be! Karaoke bars are a super-relaxed way to have fun with your friends in a closed setting — and it's way less intimidating than getting up to sing in front of a crowded bar.
The key to having a fun karaoke night is choosing songs that the majority of people will recognize. Karaoke night isn't the time to show off your love for cool indie bands. (And chances are, the lesser-known songs might not be available to sing, anyway.) Singing cheesy songs is often more fun, too, because there's no pressure to perform them well.
We've rounded up some of the best songs to sing on your next trip to a karaoke bar. Check back often, because we'll keep adding more to the list.
"Let It Go," Frozen
If your friends insist on singing a Disney song, "Let It Go" is exponentially better than "A Whole New World." (Or, worst of all, "I'll Make A Man Out Of You" from Mulan.)
"All Star," Smash Mouth
Who doesn't want to think of Shrek while singing karaoke?
"Girls Just Want To Have Fun," Cyndi Lauper
For all of your bachelorette party karaoke needs.
"She Bangs," Ricky Martin
Channel your inner William Hung.
"Who Let The Dogs Out," Baha Men
My husband may be the only person whose go-to karaoke song is "Who Let The Dogs Out," but it never ceases to be entertaining.
"Valerie," Steve Winwood
This '80s classic is super fun to belt out with your friends.
"Sweet Caroline," Neil Diamond
Who hasn't drunkenly yelled "So good! So good!" into the chorus of this song?
"Hello," Adele
Hello, it's me — your new go-to karaoke song.
"You're Still The One," Shania Twain
The perfect power ballad to sing with your S.O.
"Drops of Jupiter," Train
Is there any song more worthy of a mocking karaoke performance?
"I Just Had Sex," The Lonely Island feat. Akon
If there are Lonely Island fans in your friend group, they'll look to see which of the group's songs are available to sing. I recently found this surprising option at a karaoke place in Toronto.
This song's lyrics are pretty heteronormative — but maybe that's part of the joke about the guys' general cluelessness?
"Never Let You Go," Third Eye Blind
Everyone knows this song, and no one likes it, making it a perfect karaoke choice.
"Lucky," Britney Spears
No karaoke trip is complete without several Britney Spears choices.
"Dreams," The Cranberries
Take things back to the '90s with this classic tune.
"Smooth," Santana feat. Rob Thomas
Your rendition probably won't compare to the excellence that is Dragonite and Charizard dancing to this song. But you can try.
"Underwater," MIKA
I haven't seen this song at karaoke bars in the United States, but when I found it in Toronto, I flipped. This song is everything. (Mika, I'm sorry for doing your accent such a disservice with my terrible rendition of this beautiful work.)
"The Sign," Ace of Base
Everyone knows the words — and even though this song makes no sense, that doesn't mean it's not fun to sing.
"Centerfold," J. Geils Band
To be fair, the lyrics to this song are pretty sexist/offensive/generally creepy. But if you can put that aside...well, who doesn't start bopping around when this song starts playing?
"Don't You (Forget About Me)," Simple Minds
Whether or not you're a child of the '80s, you'll love singing this hook.
"Super Trouper," ABBA
Somewhere in the crowd, there's you and your friends, belting out this classic ABBA hit.
"Call Me Maybe," Carly Rae Jepsen
So what if no one uses cell phones to make calls anymore? Everyone will join in on singing this one, even if they protest at first.
"Dangerous Woman," Ariana Grande
To ease into the karaoke fun, start off with a song everyone (no matter what age) knows. Most of Ariana Grande's songs lend themselves to karaoke, but everyone will recognize "Dangerous Woman" and want to join in on your rendition.
"New Romantics," Taylor Swift
Swifties and non-Swifties alike will love singing the hits off her 1989 album.
"Cake By The Ocean," DNCE
Everyone from your roommate to your parents will want to sing along to this song.
"Uptown Funk," Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars
Even the Stranger Things kids have performed a rendition of this song. We'd be remiss if we didn't include it on the list.
"What Makes You Beautiful," One Direction
Karaoke buddies from your bro-y college friends to your teen cousins will want to sing this.
"Everytime," Britney Spears
It wouldn't be a karaoke trip without at least one Britney song. Why not throw it back with "Everytime"?
"Yoü And I," Lady Gaga
Even the original version of this song sounds like Gaga's singing it at a bar's open mic night.
"Single Ladies," Beyoncé
Everyone will love singing (and dancing) to this one, even the guys.
"Price Tag," Jessie J featuring B.o.B
All of your friends know this song. They may hate it — but if you force them to sing along, they'll be smiling by the end.
"Modern Love," David Bowie
"Modern Love" is perfect for karaoke — even your shy friends will want to join in on the chorus.
"Some Nights," Fun.
Whether you love or hate Fun., there's no better way to bring a group of people together than by singing the opening "Oh, oh" chorus repeatedly.
"Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)," Backstreet Boys
Every '90s kid will love singing Backstreet Boys songs at karaoke night. The backup vocals on this one are perfect for a group performance.
"Dog Days Are Over," Florence + The Machine
Even if you're not a good singer, Florence + The Machine songs are ridiculously fun to perform. You'll have everyone clapping along to the beat with this one.
"Don't Stop Me Now," Queen
If Paul Rudd can perform it during Lip Sync Battle, you can belt out this classic Queen hit, too.
"I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)," The Proclaimers
If this song can get Ted and Marshall through years of road trips on How I Met Your Mother, it can definitely get your friend group through karaoke night.
"Happy Ending," MIKA
MIKA attracts a certain type of fans — not everyone's heard of him, but the people who have are devoted. Literally all of his songs lend themselves to karaoke and you can't go wrong with a classic like "Happy Ending." When you find a friend who loves MIKA, make them your karaoke buddy for life.
"I'm on a Boat," The Lonely Island
Yes, it's cheesy — but everyone knows this song. You'll be singing along by the end of it, even if you weren't the one who added it to the karaoke queue.
"Sugar," Maroon 5
It's almost more fun impersonating Adam Levine's falsetto if you're hilariously off-key.
"Everybody Wants To Rule The World," Tears For Fears
When everyone gets tired of upbeat hits, slow down the mood with this classic, but still fun, option.
"Love Story," Taylor Swift
This is especially fun when the performers are all male (and a few drinks in).
"Save You Tonight," One Direction
Okay, the lyrics of this song are a little problematic — you probably shouldn't think of a romantic interest as someone who needs "saving." But the song is so fun and upbeat that it's a blast to sing with a group.
"Stay With Me," Sam Smith
If you want to show off your singing chops — or just to butcher a Top 40 song — "Stay With Me" is the perfect choice.
"When You Were Young," The Killers
You might not like them now, but you definitely had at least one Killers song on your playlists back in the day. And everyone else did, too.
"I Hate Myself for Loving You," Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
For when your karaoke trip is also a night out to get over your ex, you can't beat this rock classic.
"Girl Crush," Little Big Town
This song isn't as upbeat as most of the others on this list. But sometimes, you just need to belt out a ballad about unrequited love.
"Enjoy The Silence," Depeche Mode
If your friends love the '80s, they'll get a kick out of imitating Depeche Mode's accents in this hit.
"Roar," Katy Perry
Everyone's got a little Katy Perry in them, just waiting to bust out at a karaoke bar.
"Tah Dah," MIKA
Remember what we said about MIKA songs lending themselves to karaoke? This one's almost too perfect.
"One Thing," One Direction
Okay, so this list is a bit heavy with the 1D. But everyone knows this song.
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