Karaoke is one of the greatest equalizers. Any voice is equal on that stage, whether Mariah Carey's octave range or Oscar the Grouch on a weekend bender. It is, however, essential to select the right karaoke song. There is no need to growl a 20-minute stoner metal dirge or stumble over your own tongue while trying to keep up with some Eminem speed-rap marathon. 

The scene is also not one for snobbery, as there are plenty of specialty nights where you can attempt to approximate Kate Bush's warble or tackle your favorite Pavement b-side. You should generally stick to the standard selections of party jams, melodramatic love songs, theatrical arena rock belters, and rap songs that everyone knows (and do not include offensive language that would make the whole bar cringe). Get the standing ovation you deserve by choosing one of these 50 all-timers next time you're heading out for soused singalongs.

How to Choose Karaoke Songs?

Prepare your karaoke songs before hitting the stage. The trick to choosing a song ahead of time is beneficial for beginner karaoke singers. A song isn't the only thing to consider!

Imagine you're a Beatles fan. The original key of any Beatles song doesn't mean you can sing it easily. Most male singers have baritone voices, Lennon and McCartney. What's the most comfortable person to sing along with when I sing my favorite songs?"

It might be Taylor Swift, a middle voice. Dolly Parton might be a good example. Use this guide if you need help picking the right karaoke song.

It's all about having fun at Karaoke, so pick a song you'll enjoy singing! Choosing an up-tempo song will lessen the likelihood that nerves will show if you're prone to nervousness. It's possible to have a shaky voice when singing a ballad when you're nervous. Choose some easy karaoke songs that you are familiar with. Following the lyrics will be easy if you already know them by heart. Doing this means you won't have to worry about stumbling over the words or missing an unexpected part.

Karaoke Tips: 5 Tips for Singing

The following tips will help you have a successful karaoke night:

  • Getting your voice ready for a high note requires some warm-up! Drink plenty of water, do voice exercises, and say tongue twisters.
  • Maintain a confident appearance. Put your feet shoulder-width apart with a smile on your face. You don't have to apologize for being on that stage! Your time has come.
  • It's more convenient not to look at the lyrics on the screen if you pick a song you know. Sing to your audience! Don't forget that they want to hear you!
  • The vocal technique should be good. Instead of shouting into the microphone, breathe low and place your sound inside your mask.
  • Take your voice lessons to the stage and put them to good use. 
  • Take your practice home with you! Bring an audience to the living room and perform in the shower, in the car, or in front of an audience. KaraFun, for example, is an excellent YouTube channel for practicing.

100+ of the best Karaoke songs ever recorded

Ready to find out which karaoke songs are the most popular? Check out some of the best karaoke songs, sorted by genre, category, and more! The next time you go out with your group, impress them with these popular karaoke songs. This list provides all the tunes you need to make a big impression on stage, from the best karaoke songs for women to the best karaoke duet songs. Here are some links to songs we recommend:

1. ’60s and ’70s Karaoke Songs

These disco songs will put you in the mood to break out your bellbottoms and give your best imitation of John Travolta. Start your search here to bring the house down with some of the greatest karaoke songs of all time. 

  • Big Yellow Taxi – Joni Mitchell
  • Brick House – Commodores
  • Dancing Queen – ABBA
  • Do Ya Think I'm Sexy – Rod Stewart
  • I'm Every Woman – Chaka Khan
  • Let's Get it On – Marvin Gaye
  • Play That Funky Music – Wild Cherry
  • Rapture – Blondie
  • Stayin' Alive – The Bee Gees
  • You're So Vain – Carly Simon

2. '80s Karaoke Songs

Do you prefer music from the 1980s? We've listed some of our favorite jams to sign up for here. From "I Think We're Alone Now" to "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go," here are some must-listens.

  • All Night Long – Lionel Richie
  • Billie Jean – Michael Jackson
  • Don't You Want Me – Human League
  • Everybody Wants to Rule the World – Tears for Fears
  • I Can't-Wait – Nu Shooz
  • I Think We're Alone Now – Tiffany
  • I Want to Know What Love Is – Foreigner
  • Part-Time Lover – Stevie Wonder
  • Tainted Love – Soft Cell
  • Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go – Wham!

3. '90s Karaoke Songs

'90s kids, pay attention! Whatever your musical taste, these '90s karaoke crowd-pleasers will have everyone singing along. Christina Aguilera, No Doubt, and Will Smith hit that you can't miss.

  • Closing Time – Semisonic
  • Don't Speak – No Doubt
  • Genie in a Bottle – Christina Aguilera
  • Gettin' Jiggy Wit' It – Will Smith
  • I'll Stand By You – The Pretenders
  • Santeria – Sublime
  • Time of Your Life – Green Day
  • Torn – Natalie Imbruglia
  • Who Am I? (What's My Name) – Snoop Dogg
  • You Oughta Know – Alanis Morissette

4. Best Country Karaoke Songs

Do you prefer honky-tonks? Make your audience swoon with Bonnie Raitt and Johnny Cash. Whether you like classics or modern hits, you'll find the best country karaoke songs here.

  • All My Ex Live in Texas – George Strait
  • Before He Cheats – Carrie Underwood
  • Celebrity – Brad Paisley
  • Friends In Low Places – Garth Brooks
  • Man! I Feel Like a Woman! – Shania Twain
  • Ring of Fire – Johnny Cash
  • Something to Talk About – Bonnie Raitt
  • Stand By Your Man – Tammy Wynette
  • Take Me Home, Country Roads – John Denver
  • Your Cheatin' Heart – Hank Williams

5. Best Female Karaoke Songs

With so many great karaoke songs for women, you have many options! These songs range from pop powerhouses to girl-power classics, making great karaoke songs. Make Kelly Clarkson proud by channeling Mariah Carey, singing Mile Cyrus, and channeling Mariah Carey. Here are some of our favorite female karaoke songs.

  • Black Velvet – Alannah Myles
  • Damn, I Wish I Was Your Lover – Sophie B. Hawkins
  • Emotions – Mariah Carey
  • I Will Survive – Gloria Gaynor
  • It's Raining Men – The Weather Girls
  • Like a Virgin – Madonna
  • Rehab – Amy Winehouse
  • Shake It Off – Taylor Swift
  • Single Ladies – Beyoncé
  • Son of a Preacher Man – Dusty Springfield
  • Stronger – Kelly Clarkson
  • Wrecking Ball – Miley Cyrus

6. Best Group Karaoke Songs

Group karaoke songs are perfect for people who hit the bar with many friends! Warm up your crew. Spice Girls, Mamas and Papas, and Village People are on the case.

  • A.B.C. – Jackson 5
  • California Dreamin' – The Mamas and the Papas
  • Lean On Me – Club Nouveau
  • No Scrubs – T.L.C.
  • Push It – Salt 'n Pepa
  • Rapper's Delight – Sugar Hill Gang
  • Supersonic – J.J. Fad
  • Wannabe – Spice Girls
  • We Are Family – Sister Sledge
  • YMCA – Village People

7. Best Karaoke Love Songs

Feeling the love tonight? Check out these top karaoke songs about love if you want to impress your sweetie. Your entire audience will be wooed as you belt out "Time After Time" or "The Sweetest Thing."

  • Can't Help Falling in Love – Elvis Presley
  • Come to My Window – Melissa Etheridge
  • I Melt With You – Modern English
  • Nothing Compares 2 U – Sinead O'Connor
  • She Loves You – the Beatles
  • That's the Way Love Goes – Janet Jackson
  • The Sweetest Thing – U2
  • Time After Time – Cyndi Lauper
  • Try a Little Tenderness – Otis Redding
  • Wicked Game – Chris Isaak

8. Best Karaoke Songs for Men

Check out these top picks in rock, pop, punk, and lounge styles. Looking for a good karaoke song for your voice range? We've got you covered. Check out our list if you want to be the next Frank Sinatra or Prince. These are some great male karaoke songs.

  • 867-5309/Jenny – Tommy Tutone
  • Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen
  • Don't Stop Believin' – Journey
  • I Wanna Be Sedated – the Ramones
  • If I Was Your Girlfriend – Prince
  • Losing My Religion – R.E.M.
  • Mack the Knife – Bobby Darin
  • My Way – Frank Sinatra
  • Never Gonna Give You Up – Rick Astley
  • Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond
  • When I Was Your Man – Bruno Mars
  • Wonderwall – Oasis

9. Best Pop Karaoke Songs

Karaoke nights are super fun with pop songs! What's better? You can expect the crowd to sing along if they know all the lyrics. Our favorites are listed below.

  • All About That Bass – Meghan Trainor
  • Baby One More Time – Britney Spears
  • Call Me Maybe – Carly Rae Jepsen
  • Hallelujah – Jeff Buckley
  • Iris – Goo Goo Dolls
  • Push – Matchbox Twenty
  • Royals – Lorde
  • The Middle – Jimmy Eat World
  • Timber – Ke$ha and Pitbull
  • Treasure – Bruno Mars

10. Best R&B Karaoke Songs

You're feeling it, aren't you? Take your R&B singing to the next level with these top karaoke songs. You can start the party with sultry songs from Al Green, Boyz II Men, and Mary J.

  • Chain of Fools – Aretha Franklin
  • Doo Wop (That Thing) – Lauryn Hill
  • End of the Road – Boyz II Men
  • He's So Fine – The Chiffons
  • Let's Stay Together – Al Green
  • No Diggity – Blackstreet
  • Not Gon' Cry – Mary J. Blige
  • Poison – Bel Biv Devoe
  • This is How We Do It – Montell Jordan
  • Un-break My Heart – Toni Braxton

11. Best Rock Karaoke Songs

Are you a rock music fan? Put on some Bruce Springsteen or Bon Jovi and get into the spirit of rock 'n' roll. Check out these rock karaoke songs.

  • Born in the U.S.A. – Bruce Springsteen
  • Creep – Radiohead
  • Enter Sandman – Metallica
  • Livin' On a Prayer – Bon Jovi
  • Piece of My Heart – Janis Joplin
  • Pour Some Sugar On Me – Def Leppard
  • Sweet Home Alabama – Lynyrd Skynyrd
  • Under the Bridge – Red Hot Chili Peppers
  • We're Not Gonna Take It – Twisted Sister
  • Zombie – The Cranberries

12. Funny Karaoke Songs

Having trouble with your vocal abilities? Don't worry about it. Make the crowd love you by singing one of these funny karaoke songs. Choose a karaoke song like "Party All the Time" or "If You Like Pina Coladas," and everyone will sing along.

  • If You Like Piña Coladas – Jimmy Buffet
  • Just a Friend – Biz Markie
  • Mickey – Toni Basil
  • MMMBop – Hanson
  • Party All the Time – Eddie Murphy
  • Rico Suave – Gerardo
  • Rock Lobster – B-52s
  • The Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades – Timbuk 3
  • Tubthumping – Chumbawamba
  • Whip It – Devo

13. Good Duet Karaoke Songs

Make your karaoke experience even more fun by singing with a friend! Make a karaoke couple! Both singers shine in karaoke duets. You can also build your confidence by singing a duet karaoke song with a friend. We've rounded up the best duet karaoke songs below for your enjoyment, including:

  • All I Have – Jennifer Lopez and L.L. Cool J
  • Cruisin' – Huey Lewis and Gwyneth Paltrow
  • Dream a Little Dream of Me – Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong
  • Ebony and Ivory – Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder
  • Empire State of Mind – Jay-Z and Alicia Keys
  • Hunger Strike – Eddie Vedder and Chris Cornell
  • Islands in the Stream – Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton
  • Need You Now – Lady Antebellum
  • The Boy is Mine – Brandy and Monica
  • Up Where We Belong – Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes

14. Top Easy Karaoke Songs

What do you need? Don't worry if you still need to get excellent vocal skills. Easy karaoke songs are still fun to sing along to. You'll enjoy singing these hits whether you're a Patsy Cline, Barry Manilow, or Kool and the Gang fan.

  • 500 Miles – The Proclaimers
  • These Boots Are Made for Walking – Nancy Sinatra
  • Crazy – Patsy Cline
  • Happy – Pharrell Williams
  • Copacabana – Barry Manilow
  • That's the Way (I Like It) – K.C. and the Sunshine Band
  • Celebration – Kool and the Gang
  • Funkytown – Lipps, Inc
  • Don't Worry, Be Happy – Bobby McFerrin
  • Eye of the Tiger – Survivor

15. Worst Karaoke Songs

Stay away from these WORST karaoke songs! You'll likely hear groans whenever you request one of these tracks.

  • Achy Breaky Heart – Billy Ray Cyrus
  • Baby Got Back – Sir Mix-A-Lot
  • Barbie Girl – Aqua
  • Boyfriend – Justin Bieber
  • Friday – Rebecca Black
  • I've Got You Babe – Sonny and Cher
  • Ice Ice Baby – Vanilla Ice
  • Margaritaville – Jimmy Buffet
  • My Heart Will Go On – Celine Dion
  • Picture – Sheryl Crow and Kid Rock

Become a better singer with Karaoke

The more you perform, the easier it becomes. If you regularly attend karaoke nights, you can overcome stage fright. Your audience will always support and encourage you (especially if you go with family and friends)! It's all about having fun.

A great way to gain experience in music is to do Karaoke. It's less stressful at first since there is no pressure, like at an audition. Get a feel for them risk-free before you take them to the "big time!"

You can only take your singing skills to the next level through vocal lessons. You will notice an improvement in your voice after a few lessons. Your karaoke performances will improve as you study with your vocal coach!

Your group of friends will certainly have their own list of meaningful karaoke songs in addition to the ones we have listed. Comment below if you have a favorite karaoke song in your community. Once you've chosen a song, grab the microphone!