For many, the silence during the pandemic wasn’t just about the absence of bustling streets or crowded restaurants. It was the eerie quiet in karaoke bars that truly echoed the cultural void. We missed the electrifying energy of live concerts, sure, but the shutdown of karaoke felt like losing a piece of our soul. Karaoke isn’t just about belting out tunes; it’s about connecting with music on a deeply personal level, becoming part of the songs we love. Whether you’re bravely taking the stage in a dimly lit bar or packed in a room with friends, karaoke offers a unique opportunity to step inside your favorite tracks. Add in a quirky, low-budget music video playing on a screen, a cheap beer, and maybe a tambourine, and a mundane weeknight can transform into an unforgettable musical experience.
Now that karaoke is roaring back – and please, let’s all continue to sing safely – it’s time to celebrate this beloved art form. Karaoke has gifted us countless moments of pure joy and, let’s be honest, the occasional epic hangover. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the 100 greatest karaoke songs of all time – a tried-and-true collection of classics that are practically guaranteed to ignite any room. (And if they don’t, well, maybe it’s just the wrong crowd!). To create this definitive list, we’ve not only drawn upon our own team’s extensive, sometimes painful, karaoke experiences, but we’ve also tapped into the wisdom of karaoke industry insiders – the jockeys, bartenders, and owners who have seen and heard it all. Their expert commentary is woven throughout our list, offering insights from the front lines of karaoke culture.
But what exactly makes a karaoke song truly great? There’s no magic formula, no single answer that fits every singer and every crowd. One person’s sing-along anthem might be another’s cue for a bathroom break. A skilled performer can elevate even a questionable song choice, while a less confident singer might stumble with a seemingly foolproof hit. Interestingly, karaoke gold isn’t always found in the catalogs of the biggest pop icons. While our list is packed with familiar favorites and one-hit wonders, you won’t find karaoke staples from universally acclaimed artists like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Prince, Mariah Carey, Justin Bieber, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Christina Aguilera, Guns N’ Roses, or Rihanna. Some artists are absent because their vocal styles are too challenging to imitate, others because they lack that one signature karaoke track that overshadows the rest. And sometimes, with only 100 slots to fill, we simply prioritized artists like 4 Non Blondes and Biz Markie, whose karaoke legacies are cemented by a single, eternally popular song.
However, as you explore our list, certain characteristics of great karaoke songs will emerge. More often than not, the best karaoke songs are familiar and instantly recognizable. They are accessible and easy to sing along to without being predictable or boring. They evoke a sense of nostalgia, transporting you back to a specific era, yet they remain timelessly relevant. Crucially, they sound fantastic even when sung loudly and slightly off-key, and most importantly, they are incredibly inviting, practically begging everyone in the room to join in the fun. So, dive into our selections for the top 100 karaoke anthems – curated with a little help from our friends in the karaoke trenches – and don’t be shy about grabbing that spare mic. Extra voices are always welcome for harmonies and backing vocals.
