Whether you’ve got a voice that could make angels weep or you sound more like a yodeler with a cold, karaoke brings people together in a way that nothing else quite can. No matter your level of talent, a karaoke stage is somewhere where everyone is on equal footing. But you can’t just jump up there and sing any song. You need to captivate your audience without giving over the top, and you have to have fun while you own the stage.
To help you make the most of your karaoke night, we have created a list of the best karaoke songs ever (in no particular order), with a wide enough genre and vocal range that there’s something for everyone. So grab a mic and let’s get started!
1. Livin’ on a Prayer – Bon Jovi
We’re starting this list off with arguably one of the best karaoke songs of all time. It’s not an original choice by any means, but that doesn’t mean it’s not one of the greats. Not only is it fun to belt this iconic song at the top of your lungs, but it’s also a total crowd-pleaser. No one in the room will be able to resist singing right along with you. This rock ‘n roll hit is perfect for beginners and nervous singers, but anyone can pull it off.
Next: Best Karaoke songs for men to try to sing
2. Achy Breaky Heart – Billy Ray Cyrus
If you struggle with the high notes but want a karaoke song that will have everyone singing along with you, add this song to your karaoke repertoire. Even those who don’t normally listen to country music will enjoy your performance. The mullet and boots might not be included, but they’re definitely encouraged.
Next: The best “crush” songs for when you’re catching feelings for someone
3. Happy – Pharrell Williams
What can we say? We love this song! Not only is it a fun little earworm that makes us want to get up and dance, but it’s incredibly easy to sing. “Happy” is also family-friendly, which makes it perfect to add to your setlist for family get-togethers!
4. I Want It That Way – Backstreet Boys
You can never go wrong with a ’90s boy band classic—especially one as iconic as this. If you and your middle school bestie remember the dance routine you came up with and made your family watch incessantly, even better!
Next: Top love songs for her (girlfriend love songs list)
5. Summer Nights – John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John
This fun duet might seem overplayed, but it’s definitely still a go-to for couples. Make a bet with your singing partner to see who can hold that incredibly hard last note the longest—whoever loses has to buy the next round of drinks. If songs from Grease are your thing, there are plenty of solos and duets to choose from on that iconic soundtrack.
Next: The greatest karaoke duets of all time
6. Somebody To Love – Queen
This ballad has stood the test of time and is sure to please a crowd of any size. If your voice is goosebump-inducing, it’s even better. The room won’t be able to help but sing right along with you, especially during that quieter bridge.
Next: Top love songs for him (our list of boyfriend love songs)
7. Party in the USA — Miley Cyrus
This song is great for any type of singer! Miley’s lower voice means it’s easier to match her pitch, even when it comes to belting that drawn-out “yeah” in the chorus. “Party in the USA” is also another one of those songs that’s great for a family night or an audience with younger attendees.
Next: Top karaoke songs for women to sing
8. Don’t Stop Believin’ — Journey
There are rock songs that make great karaoke songs, and then there are rock songs that were practically made for karaoke. This song falls into both categories. Rock the stage alone or grab a friend and perform a Glee-style duet. Either way, you’ll win over the crowd and maybe even the next round of drinks!
Next: Top tenor songs to sing for auditions or karaoke
9. Man! I Feel Like a Woman — Shania Twain
This song is an absolute must for any sort of girl’s night out, as a solo or as a group performance. Let your hair down, turn on the sass, and channel your inner-Shania. Shirtless backup dancers are optional, but the girl power is not.
Next: Greatest easy songs to sing for karaoke
10. She Will Be Loved – Maroon 5
This song isn’t on the list of Maroon 5’s most popular karaoke songs these days, but it’s still a classic. If you can keep up with Adam Lavine’s killer falsetto, you’ll have the crowd on their feet and their jaws on the floor! And if you can’t, it’s totally fine—that’s what karaoke is all about, after all.
11. Love Shack —The B-52’s
An oldie, but a goodie for sure. This upbeat ’80s pop hit is easy to sing and fun to dance to. Sing it alone or with your friends!
Next: Ultimate list of the best 80s karaoke songs
12. Mr. Brightside —The Killers
Even if you’re not in an angsty mood, there’s just something about this song that makes people want to sing along. Turn it up and rock out—you know that you know every single word without even looking at the screen.
13. Let it Go — Disney’s Frozen
There’s no shame in that Disney karaoke game! There are a ton of great Disney songs that work well for karaoke (that’s what musicals are all about, right?), but why not go big and belt out the lyrics brought to us by award-winning performer Idina Menzel? There won’t be a person in the bar who doesn’t know every single word to this song as well.
14. Good as Hell — Lizzo
If you’re going to sing Lizzo, you’d better bring 110% confidence onto the stage with you. This song will liven up the crowd and leave you feeling… good as hell. And unlike some of Lizzo’s other songs, this one is pretty easy to sing, so it’s perfect for singers of all talent levels.
15. Dancing Queen — ABBA
Almost any ABBA song works for karaoke, but “Dancing Queen” is especially fun. Your friends will be on their feet dancing as soon as you hit that chorus, so don’t be afraid to bring them up to the stage with you to finish the performance.
16. Stayin’ Alive — Bee Gees
Grab your friends and hit the stage with this disco classic. By the end of the song, you’ll be out of breath but absolutely smiling! If you can sing along at the same octave, you will impress even the most seasoned karaoke singers.
17. Before He Cheats — Carrie Underwood
Sometimes we need to let out a little frustration over a certain someone. But maybe instead of taking a Louisville Slugger to both headlights, you should picture that person you’re angry at and sing your heart out. Make Carrie Underwood proud and belt that chorus with everything you have in you.
18. Bye, Bye, Bye — NSYNC
No list of karaoke songs is complete without at least one NSYNC song. We highly recommend making this a group performance, but even if you perform solo, the room will be singing along with you in no time.
19. Shallow – Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper
This song needs no introduction. You already know it’s the perfect duet. Just make sure you practice beforehand if you plan to do Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper justice. This is just one of those songs.
20. Baby Got Back — Sir Mix-a-Lot
Face it, Sir Mix-a-Lot knew what he was talking about when he wrote this song. If you’re not afraid to shake what you’ve got on stage, go with this catchy classic. No karaoke night is complete without it!
21. Ring of Fire – Johnny Cash
Not only is Johnny Cash a musical icon, but nearly all of his songs are perfect karaoke songs for beginners. His drawling voice is extremely easy to match, and his songs are simple yet poetic. You likely know the words better than you think, and the crowd will absolutely be into your performance.
22. I’m Too Sexy — Right Said Fred
“I’m Too Sexy” was originally written as a joke, which makes it the perfect karaoke song. Because it’s more talking than singing, this is one of those songs where your visual performance matters more than how you sing. Break out your best fake strip tease for some added flair, and the audience will eat it up.
23. Oops, I Did it Again — Britney Spears
Honestly, most Britney songs are practically made for karaoke. Beginner or expert, you can never go wrong with the Queen of Pop. The squeaky red jumpsuit is totally optional, but pop star dance moves are absolutely encouraged.
24. Photograph — Nickelback
We know that everyone says they hate Nickelback but, after a few moments of heckling, the audience will definitely join in. We all know the words, we just need someone brave enough to get on stage and sing them. That’s where you come in. Chad Kroger’s voice is easy enough for singers of any range to match, so Nickelback is perfect for beginners or singers who aren’t very confident on stage.
25. Lucky — Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat
This adorably sweet duet is perfect to sing with your sweetheart. You really are lucky to have each other — go ahead and be mushy about it in public.
26. I Wanna Dance With Somebody — Whitney Houston
This song, although easier than “I Will Always Love You”, is not for the faint of heart. If you do well, you’ll win over the crowd and absolutely be asked for an encore. If you butcher it… well, it’ll probably be your last song of the night. Get out there and belt your heart out, and reach for those high notes if you’re brave enough!
27. Jolene — Dolly Parton
Sometimes you need to publically call out Miss Long Legs, who keeps making eyes at your significant other from across the room. “Jolene” is the perfect song to get your point across—and you can never go wrong with Dolly Parton.
28. Billie Jean — Michael Jackson
You didn’t think we’d forget the King of Pop, did you? This song is among the best karaoke songs ever because it’s catchy, it’s fairly easy to sing, and it’s popular enough that it spans multiple generations. If you can successfully moonwalk, you will bring the entire room to their feet.
29. Single Ladies — Beyoncé
If you want to tackle Beyoncé but you don’t quite have her range, this is a great song to pick. As a solo or with a group of other single ladies, this hit will liven up a crowd in seconds. If you can add in some of those iconic dance moves, the audience will eat your performance up.
30. Wrecking Ball — Miley Cyrus
Great singer? Poor singer? Somewhere in between? It doesn’t matter with this one! Sing it loud and proud, and add some flair a la Miley. The crowd will love it, and you’ll release some of that pent-up angst. Just, please, do not take a sledgehammer to anything on stage.
Next: Greatest mezzo soprano songs to sing
31. Kiss Me — Sixpence None the Richer
This sweet, quiet-toned song is a great warm-up, especially if you’re a nervous singer. Sing it to your sweetheart or the cutie across the bar, with little to no dancing required. And don’t worry — we aren’t entirely sure what bearded barley is either.
32. The Bad Touch — Bloodhound Gang
Every once in a while, you get dragged to karaoke when you really, really don’t want to go. While this song is definitely not suitable for a younger audience, it’s ridiculous enough that you don’t have to take yourself too seriously while you’re on stage—and it requires absolutely no singing. And if you save your performance for the end of the night, it’s likely that everyone will be too drunk to care about your song choice anyway. So have fun with it!
33. Sweet Caroline — Neil Diamond
This song is practically an American anthem, and it’s another one of those hits that transcends generations. If your goal is to get the crowd to sing along with you, this is the song for you. Fun fact: Diamond revealed that he originally wrote this song for former President Kennedy’s 12-year-old daughter Caroline.
34. Ironic — Alanis Morissette
This song is instantly recognizable and so. much. fun. You can belt it proud or yell it out, and the crowd will love it either way.
35. Good Time – Owl City & Carly Rae Jepsen
This song is a perfect duet for two people who just want to have a good time, no pun intended. This upbeat pop hit is all about having fun with a group of friends, which makes it perfect for karaoke.
36. Sweet Home Alabama — Lynyrd Skynyrd
This is the perfect karaoke song for country lovers and classic rock fanatics alike. As soon as you hear that opening riff, you can’t help but rock out — and the crowd won’t be able to resist either. It’s also super easy to sing, so nearly anyone can perform it with ease.
37. Just the Way You Are — Bruno Mars
You can never go wrong with Bruno Mars, and this is the perfect song to sing to that special someone. You’re sure to make them (and the audience) swoon while you tell your significant other just how you feel about them.
38. She Bangs — Ricky Martin
If we learned anything from William Hung, it’s that you don’t have to be a good singer or a good dancer to rock out to this song. Jump on the stage and have some fun! No talent required!
39. Holding Out For a Hero — Bonnie Tyler
This high-energy song is perfect for hyping up a room before the alcohol kicks in. Grab a feather boa and embrace the ’80s as you belt the lyrics to this iconic hit. You might even catch the eye of a hero of your own.
Next: Top alto songs for karaoke or auditions
40. Hello — Adele
This song is one for the belters. Adele’s range is hard to master, but done right, you’ll give the crowd goosebumps and bring them to their feet.
41. Shake it Off — Taylor Swift
This song is so incredibly catchy that even people who aren’t fans of Taylor Swift can’t help but tap their toes and sing along. This is also a perfect song for kids, which makes it a staple on family karaoke setlists.
42. Uptown Funk — Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars
Almost anyone can perform this song, and they’ll do well as long as you’ve got the swagger and confidence of Bruno Mars. It’s been covered and parodied so many times that there’s almost no way to get it wrong. Get up there and strut your stuff! We highly recommend performing in a cool hat.
43. All-Star — Smash Mouth
While this song is mostly associated with Shrek, this feel-good track is a must for any karaoke night. With the lyrics already engrained in your brain and the uplighting message of the song, you’ll give yourself a confidence boost and lift the mood of the entire room with this hit.
44. Friends in Low Places — Garth Brooks
This country classic is a karaoke hit whether you’re a country fan or not. Drunk people love Garth Brooks—which means that even if you can’t hit those low notes, you’ll still win the room.
45. Wannabe — Spice Girls
This is the perfect girls-night-out song to get the party started. Grab your girls and take over the stage, and you’ll be the talk of the night. If there are five singers in your group, you can each take the part of a different Spice Girl and make your performance even more authentic.
46. Tubthumping — Chumbawamba
There’s a distinct possibility that we were all born with these lyrics already memorized. The verse isn’t quite as memorable, but it’s simple to sing; additionally, the chorus is just shouting, which makes this the perfect song for beginners and those who are slightly tipsy!
47. I Love Rock ‘N Roll’ — Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
Joan Jett’s nonchalant attitude and low vocal range make this a great pick for guys and girls alike. It’s an easy song to sing, but enough of a hit that you’ll win the room and have a ton of fun. And you can go ahead and tap the mic and say “Is this thing on?” like Britney Spears did in Crossroads. We know you want to.
48. It’s Raining Men – The Weather Girls
This is another one of those girls’ night out hits that is a must-sing with the whole group. You’ll bring the room to its feet and maybe even catch the attention of that cutie you saw walk in earlier.
49. Wonderwall — Oasis
This song might be wildly overplayed at open mic nights and covered by every indie band you’ve ever heard of, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a great karaoke hit. Most people know it, and it’s pretty easy to sing. Is a karaoke night really complete without it?
50. Don’t Go Breaking My Heart — Elton John and Kiki Dee
This duet is a karaoke classic, especially if one or both of you are nervous singers. Warm up the crowd and have fun; that’s what karaoke is all about. You won’t break any hearts with this cute performance.
51. I Gotta Feeling – Black Eyed Peas
Black Eyed Peas have a lot of great hits that could have made this list, but this is the perfect song to start the night off right. Grab a friend and make it a duet, raise your cups in the air, and party like it’s 2009!
52. Umbrella – Rihanna ft. Jay-Z
This pop/hip-hop hit is a great duet, and super easy to perform. If you two can dance, it’s even better! Bring the crowd to their feet and belt your heart out. Everyone will have this song stuck in their heads by th time you’re done.
53. Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen
This song is incredibly long and very hard to sing perfectly (those high nights though), but it’s such a classic that it doesn’t even matter. You won’t even have to look at the lyrics on the screen—the entire room will be singing along with you. Although you can try to sing all of the parts in this song by yourself when you’re in your car, we recommend performing this one with a friend or two when you take the stage.
54. Should I Stay Or Should I Go – The Clash
If grungy rock is more your style, add this song to your setlist. It’s easy to sing, the lyrics are familiar, and the whole bar will be singing along. Bring your best air guitar and rock out, and add some bluesy flair if you’re daring enough. You’ll thank us later.
55. I Wanna Be Sedated – The Ramones
Like a lot of ’70s rock, this song isn’t too hard to sing—which makes it the perfect karaoke addition for any type of karaokesinger. Pour your heart and angst into this performance, and have fun!
Get out there and sing!
While it’s important to pick a song you enjoy and feel confident singing, the most important thing to remember about karaoke is to just have fun! Don’t try to outperform the professionals—that’s their job. And if you’re not a great singer, remember that it doesn’t matter. Karaoke is one of the few instances where you can sing poorly and still have people cheering for you.