How much do you love karaoke? There’s nothing quite like taking over the stage and having a blast singing with all your friends, or impressing the crowd with an enthusiastic solo!
Karaoke always makes for a fun night, and it’s a great chance to practice singing. However, if your mind goes blank at the bar, you’re not alone! Song ideas aren’t always easy to come up with. Check out our ideas below for fun songs to sing at your next karaoke night:
1. The Beatles – “Twist and Shout”
Practically every song by these guys is bound to be a hit, which can make it hard to choose! Stand out from the crowd (everyone’s heard “Hey, Jude” enough) with “Twist and Shout”, or a more dramatic song like “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away”.
[tl-inline-offer category=”Singing”]
2. Elvis Presley – “Heartbreak Hotel”
Breaking out your best Elvis impersonation is another great way to please the crowd! Classics like “Heartbreak Hotel” as well as “Jailhouse Rock” should get everyone singing along.
Change up the beat of the night with the Supremes! This catchy tune works for a soloist or group. For more drama, try “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”.
This is one of those songs that makes the room pause and listen – and when you let yourself get into it, they’re sure to be singing with you on the last chorus. When they request that you do another Billy Joel song, whip out “Just the Way You Are”.
5. Janis Joplin – “Piece of My Heart”
Take a deep breath and sing from your diaphragm for this one – “Piece of My Heart” is a great song for baring your soul. For more deep, emotional amazing work by Joplin, try “Me and Bobby McGee”.
6. Melissa Etheridge – “Angels Would Fall”
This slightly eerie anthem of admiration is a beautiful way to show off a lyric tenor or contralto range. Add some versatility by trying Etheridge’s other major hit “I’m the Only One”, or her version of “What’s Going On”.
7. Joan Jett – “Bad Reputation”
Everyone loves rock and roll! No, seriously, everyone loves “I Love Rock n’ Roll”. Enjoy the punkier side of Jett’s legacy with “Bad Reputation”, or slow it down with “Crimson and Clover”.
8. Alanis Morissette – “Hand in My Pocket”
This optimistic alt-rock poem is a great mid-range piece, with complex lyrics (hey, that’s why there’s a screen) but an easy melody. If you like relationship songs, consider “Head Over Feet” (or, to vent about a very different relationship, try “You Oughta Know”).
The Indigo Girls are ideal for any female vocalists (or a female with a male singing down the octave) to show off those duet skills! The beautiful, contemplative “Galileo” is a spunky folk rock piece, or you could also try their slightly less ephemeral “Closer to Fine”.
This is one of those fun songs to sing that everyone requests by the bonfire in the middle of summer. This smooth, universally-lovable anthem of modern rock will give the whole bar a moment at peace together, as everyone agrees that lovin’ is, indeed, what they’ve got. For another classic Sublime song, practice some “Santeria”.
Come on and jump! This fun song is one of Van Halen’s best-known classics. You could also run with “Runnin’ With the Devil”, or be a little goofy with “Panama”.
12. Red Hot Chili Peppers – “Californication”
Show off your funky taste with this somber song. Alternatively, work on your stage presence and sense of rhythm, without having to worry about melody, with the mostly spoken “Give It Away”.
Bon Jovi is one of the most requested artists for karaoke and covers, but people tend to stick with the same songs. Shake up the evening with “It’s My Life” or “You Give Love a Bad Name”.
14. Pat Benatar – “Heartbreaker”
Your rendition of this hot ’80s hit will leave the crowd wanting more! Alternatively, you can tell them to “Hit Me with Your Best Shot”.
Take a chance on disco! “Dancing Queen” is another fun song to sing as a duet, and will definitely get the audience jamming. For a faster tempo and a bit less of a challenge, try “Mamma Mia”.
16. Kansas – “Carry On, Wayward Son”
There’ll be peace when you are done — but in the meantime, there’ll be beautiful harmonies! This song is awesome for showing off your clean ’80s rock vocals, or for gathering a group of friends to show off multiple parts together. Another great Kansas jam to try is “Dust in the Wind”.
Bring the audience aboard that starship with your beautiful vocals! “Come Sail Away” is great for any vocalist, since it’s a great melody to alter by one octave. If this song is too familiar to you, be a little more of a “Renegade” and whip out “Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)”, or celebrate that these are “The Best of Times”.
18. Queen – “Somebody to Love”
The audience has probably been told “We Will Rock You”, but have they really been rocked? If “Somebody to Love” is a little too gospel for you, be sure your fans still know that “We Are the Champions”.
When your friends are clamoring for a group song together, this is the best go-to. If someone already did “YMCA” a few rounds earlier, try “Macho Man”! It’s easy to find fun songs to sing in groups, like “Don’t Stop Believin’”, “The Final Countdown”, or “Flashdance”.
20. The Monkees – “I’m A Believer”
You’re too busy singin’ to put anybody down! Whip out this sweet tune, or other cheerful love songs of the ’60s, like “Brown-Eyed Girl”.
Remember to enjoy yourself, and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Want to take your vocal skills even further? Consider signing up for private lessons to sharpen up your talent, and soon you’ll be too much of a star for the bar!
Want even more song ideas? Check out our list 400+ songs to sing here!
Photo by Jess Cadorette
Suzy S.