Just like concerts, karaoke’s absence during the pandemic was deeply felt. While live music connects us with our favorite artists, karaoke allows us to connect with our favorite songs on a personal level. Whether you’re belting it out on a stage in a quiet bar or surrounded by friends in a packed room, karaoke provides a unique opportunity for pop music lovers to not just enjoy tunes, but to become part of them. Add in a quirky music video, a round of drinks, and maybe a tambourine, and even a regular weeknight can transform into an unforgettable musical experience.
Now that karaoke is making a strong comeback – and please, let’s all keep singing safely – payoffsong.com celebrates this beloved art form that has brought us countless moments of joy and, let’s be honest, some impressive hangovers. We present our definitive list of the 100 greatest karaoke songs of all time, a tried-and-true collection of classics found in most karaoke books that are guaranteed to ignite any room. (And if they don’t, it’s definitely the room, not the songs.) To build this list, we combined our own extensive experience in karaoke selection with insights from industry experts – karaoke jockeys, bartenders, and venue owners from across the country – whose seasoned opinions you’ll find sprinkled throughout.
But what exactly makes a karaoke song truly great? There’s no single answer, of course. One person’s karaoke anthem is another’s cue for a bathroom break. A talented performer can make an unexpected choice shine, while a lackluster performance can sink even a seemingly foolproof pick. Interestingly, the most iconic pop artists aren’t always the safest bets for karaoke. Our list features many one-hit wonders and top 40 gems, but intentionally omits songs from mega-stars like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Prince, Mariah Carey, Justin Bieber, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Christina Aguilera, Guns N’ Roses, or Rihanna. Some are excluded due to challenging or inimitable vocals. Others lack that singular, defining karaoke track. And sometimes, with only 100 slots, we opted to highlight artists like 4 Non Blondes and Biz Markie, whose karaoke legacies are cemented by just one eternally popular song.
However, as you explore our list, common threads will emerge. The best karaoke songs are often familiar, accessible, and simple yet not predictable. They evoke a specific time and feeling without being trapped in the past. Crucially, they all sound fantastic at high volume and with varying degrees of vocal accuracy, and they all encourage everyone to join in the fun. Here are our selections for the top 100 karaoke songs of all time – with valuable input from our friends in the karaoke industry – and we encourage you to grab that extra mic. We can always use extra voices on harmonies and backing vocals!
Additional reporting by Katie Atkinson, Katie Bain, Hannah Dailey Johnson, Jessica Nicholson, Danielle Pascual, Jessica Roiz and Christine Werthman.
