Karaoke’s back, and thank goodness for it. While we all missed the big stadium concerts, there was something equally heart-wrenching about the silence at our favorite karaoke spots during the pandemic. Concerts let us connect with our idols, but karaoke? Karaoke lets us connect with the music itself. It’s where we, the everyday music lovers, get to step inside the songs we adore, to truly inhabit them for a few glorious minutes. Add in a slightly blurry lyric video, maybe a cheap beer, and the enthusiastic support of your friends, and a regular weeknight can suddenly become a legendary musical experience.
Now that karaoke nights are roaring back to life, it’s time to celebrate this unique art form that’s gifted us countless moments of pure joy (and the occasional next-day headache). We’ve put together a list of knockout karaoke tracks guaranteed to ignite any room. Consider this your curated guide to the best karaoke songs, a selection road-tested by karaoke veterans and designed to make you the star of the show. (And if the room isn’t feeling it? Well, maybe it’s just the room.)
But what exactly makes a karaoke song truly great? There’s no single formula, of course. One person’s karaoke anthem is another’s cue to hit the restroom. A skilled performer can make even a questionable song choice sound amazing, just as a less confident singer can stumble even with a supposed karaoke “guarantee.” Interestingly, some of the biggest names in music don’t always translate to karaoke gold. While our ultimate karaoke playlist includes plenty of one-hit wonders and pop chart surprises, you won’t find karaoke staples from mega-artists like The Beatles, Prince, Mariah Carey, or Michael Jackson. Sometimes the vocals are too demanding, sometimes a huge artist just doesn’t have that one signature karaoke track that stands above the rest. And sometimes, frankly, when you’re making a list of 100, you want to make room for the unexpected joys, the songs that are undeniably karaoke magic even if the artists aren’t global icons. Think 4 Non Blondes or Biz Markie – karaoke legends cemented by a single, perfect song.
Look through our selections for the best karaoke songs, and you’ll see some patterns emerge. The best karaoke songs are often familiar, instantly engaging, and just the right amount of simple without being boring. They remind you of a specific era, but still feel fresh today. Crucially, they sound fantastic belted out loud, even if your pitch isn’t perfect, and they practically beg everyone in the room to sing along with you. So grab a mic, take center stage, and get ready to explore the ultimate collection of karaoke crowd-pleasers. We could always use some help on the chorus!
Alt text: A vibrant and bustling karaoke bar filled with people joyfully singing, highlighting the energetic and social atmosphere of karaoke.
Alt text: A confident individual passionately performing karaoke on stage, holding a microphone and embodying the spirit of a karaoke star.
Alt text: A diverse group of friends laughing and singing karaoke together, emphasizing the fun and communal aspect of karaoke nights.
