The 100 Best Karaoke Songs of All Time, from Easy Picks to Showstoppers

What is the most popular karaoke song?

"Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey and "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen regularly top lists of the most popular karaoke songs, along with "Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond and "Livin' on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi. They work because everyone knows the chorus, so even a shaky singer gets a room full of backup vocals.

Crowd-pleasers everyone will sing

1. "Don't Stop Believin'", Journey: the ultimate karaoke anthem.
2. "Bohemian Rhapsody", Queen: six minutes of group theater, best shared with friends.
3. "Sweet Caroline", Neil Diamond: the crowd supplies the famous horn-line shouts.
4. "Livin' on a Prayer", Bon Jovi: easy to start, with a key change that dares you.
5. "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)", Whitney Houston: pure joy from the first note.
6. "Mr. Brightside", The Killers: a modern classic every millennial knows by heart.
7. "Dancing Queen", ABBA: a dance floor and a sing-along at once.
8. "I Will Survive", Gloria Gaynor: the defiant favorite of every girls' night.
9. "Total Eclipse of the Heart", Bonnie Tyler: big, dramatic and fun to overdo.
10. "Wannabe", Spice Girls: perfect for a group of five friends.
11. "Since U Been Gone", Kelly Clarkson: a chorus built for shouting.
12. "Friends in Low Places", Garth Brooks: the bar joins in on every chorus.
13. "Piano Man", Billy Joel: a slow sway that ends with the whole room singing.
14. "Africa", Toto: a soft-rock favorite with a chorus everyone knows.
15. "Uptown Funk", Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars: all swagger, no high notes required.

Easy karaoke songs for beginners

Good karaoke songs for beginners have a narrow range, a steady tempo and words you already know. These are the ones to pick when it is your first time on the mic.

16. "Wonderwall", Oasis: a comfortable range and a laid-back delivery.
17. "Brown Eyed Girl", Van Morrison: relaxed, sunny and easy to follow.
18. "Twist and Shout", The Beatles: short lines and lots of crowd energy.
19. "Ring of Fire", Johnny Cash: a low, steady melody for deeper voices.
20. "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'", Nancy Sinatra: almost spoken, with attitude.
21. "Achy Breaky Heart", Billy Ray Cyrus: simple, silly and always a hit.
22. "Stand by Me", Ben E. King: a gentle melody that suits almost any voice.
23. "I'm a Believer", The Monkees: bouncy and short.
24. "Hey Jude", The Beatles: the long ending lets the audience carry you.
25. "Bad Moon Rising", Creedence Clearwater Revival: under three minutes and very easy.
26. "Love Shack", The B-52's: half talking, half shouting, all fun.
27. "You're So Vain", Carly Simon: a conversational, mid-range classic.
28. "Walking on Sunshine", Katrina and the Waves: pure energy that hides any mistakes.
29. "Jolene", Dolly Parton: a repeating melody that is easy to learn.
30. "Take Me Home, Country Roads", John Denver: a campfire favorite everyone joins.

Best karaoke songs for women

31. "Before He Cheats", Carrie Underwood: a revenge anthem with a big chorus.
32. "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!", Shania Twain: the bachelorette party essential.
33. "Girls Just Want to Have Fun", Cyndi Lauper: playful and easy to own.
34. "Respect", Aretha Franklin: a challenge, but a crowd favorite.
35. "Rolling in the Deep", Adele: powerful but sits in a manageable range.
36. "Love Story", Taylor Swift: a story song the whole room knows.
37. "Like a Prayer", Madonna: builds to a gospel-style finish.
38. "Heart of Glass", Blondie: cool, breezy and not too demanding.
39. "Barracuda", Heart: for a singer who wants to rock.
40. "Hit Me with Your Best Shot", Pat Benatar: tough, punchy and fun.
41. "Proud Mary", Tina Turner: starts slow, then takes off.
42. "Flowers", Miley Cyrus: a recent favorite with a low, easy melody.
43. "Good 4 U", Olivia Rodrigo: pop-punk energy for a younger crowd.
44. "Rehab", Amy Winehouse: a soulful, swinging pick.
45. "You Oughta Know", Alanis Morissette: a cathartic shout-along.

Best karaoke songs for men

46. "Sweet Home Alabama", Lynyrd Skynyrd: a laid-back classic with a famous riff.
47. "Margaritaville", Jimmy Buffett: relaxed, low and easy to sing.
48. "Tennessee Whiskey", Chris Stapleton: a soulful slow burn for a confident voice.
49. "Mustang Sally", Wilson Pickett: gritty, fun and full of call-and-response.
50. "Summer of '69", Bryan Adams: nostalgic rock in a friendly range.
51. "Jessie's Girl", Rick Springfield: an 80s favorite with a great hook.
52. "Suspicious Minds", Elvis Presley: a chance to channel the King.
53. "Billie Jean", Michael Jackson: a groove that rewards a little dancing.
54. "Take It Easy", Eagles: mellow and easy to harmonize.
55. "Fly Me to the Moon", Frank Sinatra: a smooth crooner pick.
56. "Wagon Wheel", Darius Rucker: the bar will sing every word with you.
57. "Creep", Radiohead: a moody favorite with one big moment.
58. "All Star", Smash Mouth: low, talky and impossible to mess up.
59. "It's Not Unusual", Tom Jones: swinging fun for a showman.

Rock karaoke anthems

60. "Pour Some Sugar on Me", Def Leppard: an arena-sized group sing-along.
61. "You Give Love a Bad Name", Bon Jovi: a big chorus with a dramatic opening.
62. "Don't Stop Me Now", Queen: fast, joyful and a little bit chaotic.
63. "Here I Go Again", Whitesnake: a power ballad made for air guitar.
64. "I Love Rock 'n' Roll", Joan Jett and the Blackhearts: simple, loud and cool.
65. "What's Up?", 4 Non Blondes: everyone joins on the chorus.
66. "Seven Nation Army", The White Stripes: the crowd hums the riff for you.
67. "Should I Stay or Should I Go", The Clash: short and easy to shout.

Country karaoke songs

68. "Fishin' in the Dark", Nitty Gritty Dirt Band: a sweet, easy sing-along.
69. "Chicken Fried", Zac Brown Band: a warm crowd favorite.
70. "Boot Scootin' Boogie", Brooks and Dunn: get the line dancers going.
71. "Any Man of Mine", Shania Twain: sassy and upbeat.
72. "Fancy", Reba McEntire: a story song with a dramatic finish.
73. "Redneck Woman", Gretchen Wilson: a proud, rowdy anthem.
74. "Copperhead Road", Steve Earle: a stomping story song.
75. "Strawberry Wine", Deana Carter: a nostalgic slow song.
76. "Amarillo by Morning", George Strait: smooth and steady.
77. "Should've Been a Cowboy", Toby Keith: a fun, easy country classic.

80s and 90s karaoke songs

78. "Come On Eileen", Dexys Midnight Runners: speeds up until everyone is dancing.
79. "Footloose", Kenny Loggins: an instant party.
80. "Don't You (Forget About Me)", Simple Minds: the crowd handles the big shouts.
81. "Take On Me", a-ha: only for the brave, thanks to that high note.
82. "I Want It That Way", Backstreet Boys: a boy band classic for groups.
83. "Bye Bye Bye", NSYNC: bring the choreography.
84. "...Baby One More Time", Britney Spears: instantly recognizable.
85. "No Scrubs", TLC: a cool, mid-tempo group pick.
86. "Ice Ice Baby", Vanilla Ice: a rap even beginners can manage.

Funny karaoke songs

87. "Baby Got Back", Sir Mix-a-Lot: guaranteed laughter.
88. "I'm Too Sexy", Right Said Fred: deadpan delivery required.
89. "Barbie Girl", Aqua: best done as a duet.
90. "MMMBop", Hanson: harder than it sounds, which is the fun part.
91. "Macarena", Los del Río: the whole room does the dance.
92. "Never Gonna Give You Up", Rick Astley: the internet's favorite surprise.
93. "It's Raining Men", The Weather Girls: camp, joyful and loud.
94. "My Heart Will Go On", Celine Dion: play it straight for maximum comedy.
95. "Tubthumping", Chumbawamba: a chant the crowd can't resist.

Showstoppers for confident singers

The most impressive karaoke songs need range and control, so save them for when you are warmed up.

96. "I Will Always Love You", Whitney Houston: the ultimate vocal challenge.
97. "Purple Rain", Prince: a slow build to a huge finish.
98. "Somebody to Love", Queen: gospel-style rock with a wide range.
99. "At Last", Etta James: a timeless showcase for a rich voice.
100. "Hallelujah", Jeff Buckley: quiet, delicate and stunning when done well.

Karaoke duets

For two singers, "Islands in the Stream" by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton, "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" by Elton John and Kiki Dee, "Summer Nights" from Grease and "Shallow" by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper are the classics. See our full list of karaoke duets for more.

How to choose a good karaoke song

• Match your range: pick a song where the highest note is comfortable for you, or ask the host to change the key.
• Know the words: the screen helps, but you should know the melody well enough to sing without staring at it.
• Read the room: an upbeat song everyone knows will get more cheers than an obscure ballad, especially late at night.
• Watch the length: songs over five minutes can lose the crowd, so save epics for the end of the night.
• Pick a song with a strong chorus: the audience will join in and cover any shaky moments.
• Bring a friend: a duet or group song takes the pressure off a nervous first-timer.

Karaoke etiquette

Cheer for every singer, not just the good ones. Don't pick a song someone else just sang, keep your turn short when the list is long and don't hog the microphone. If the host lets you choose, offer to swap your slot with someone who has been waiting. Above all, karaoke is about having fun, not perfection.

Where does karaoke come from?

Karaoke began in Japan in the early 1970s, when musician Daisuke Inoue in Kobe built a machine that played backing tracks so customers could sing along. The word means "empty orchestra" in Japanese. Karaoke bars spread across Asia in the 1980s and reached the United States and Europe soon after, and today karaoke apps and streaming playlists make it possible to sing almost any song at home.

How to host a karaoke party

Set up a TV, a pair of microphones and a karaoke app or playlist, then make a sign-up sheet so everyone gets a turn. Mix easy crowd-pleasers with a few showstoppers, add props and a theme such as an 80s night or a country night, and start with a group song to break the ice. For more themed playlists, see our 80s songs, 90s country songs, bachelorette party songs and, in December, our Christmas karaoke songs.

A song about the star of the show

For a friend who lives for karaoke night, a personalized song is a gift they will want to play for everyone: a song with their name, their best stories and a chorus made for singing along. It makes a fun birthday, retirement or going-away gift, and it is a guaranteed showstopper at the party.

How to create a personalized song

1. Choose a style from 14 genres: pop, rock, country and more.
2. Add their name.
3. Share three funny or favorite memories about them.
4. Review the lyrics and edit or regenerate them for free before any music is made.
5. Listen to 4 free 45-second previews and choose your favorite.

The full 3 to 4 minute song costs $35.99, or $40.99 for Premium with four full versions and editable lyrics. You get the MP3, a gift page and the lyrics as a PDF.

Give the karaoke star a song of their own: create a song and hear four previews for free.