Like many, we at payoffsong.com deeply felt the absence of live music during the pandemic. Yet, alongside the silence of concert venues, the closure of karaoke spots struck a unique chord of loss. While concerts allow us to connect with our favorite artists, karaoke provides something even more personal: a chance to connect intimately with our favorite songs. Whether belting out tunes on a dimly lit stage or in a room packed with friends, karaoke offers music lovers an unparalleled opportunity to step inside the music, to truly become a part of the songs we adore. Add in a quirky video playing on loop, a round of drinks, and maybe a tambourine, and an ordinary night can transform into a truly unforgettable musical experience.
Now that karaoke is making a vibrant comeback – and we encourage everyone to sing responsibly – payoffsong.com is celebrating this beloved art form. Karaoke has gifted us countless moments of pure joy and, let’s be honest, the occasional memorable hangover. Today, we bring you a curated list of the Top Karaoke Songs of all time. This is a tried-and-true collection of classics, readily available in most karaoke books, guaranteed to ignite any room. (And if they don’t, well, maybe the room is just not ready to party!) To compile this list, beyond our team’s extensive experience from years of karaoke nights, we’ve also tapped into the wisdom of industry insiders – karaoke jockeys, bartenders, and venue owners from across the nation – to bring you their expert perspectives, which you’ll find sprinkled throughout our selections.
But what exactly makes a karaoke song truly exceptional? There’s no single formula, of course. One person’s sing-along anthem might be another’s cue for a bathroom break. A captivating performer can make an unexpected choice seem brilliant, just as a lackluster performance can sink even the most foolproof hit. Interestingly, karaoke gold doesn’t always come from the most iconic artists. While our list is rich with one-hit wonders and top 40 gems, you won’t find tracks from universally recognized giants like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Prince, Mariah Carey, or Michael Jackson. Some artists are absent because their vocal styles are too challenging to emulate, others because they lack that definitive “karaoke song” that overshadows their other work. And sometimes, with only 100 slots, we opted to make room for artists like 4 Non Blondes or Biz Markie, whose karaoke legacy, though tied to possibly a single song, remains eternally strong.
As you explore our list of top karaoke songs, you’ll notice some recurring themes. The best karaoke tracks are often familiar and accessible, simple yet not predictable, and evocative of a specific era without being trapped in the past. Crucially, they sound fantastic even when sung loudly and slightly off-key, and they practically beg everyone to join in the fun. So, without further ado, here are our selections for the 100 ultimate karaoke anthems – with insights from our friends in the karaoke scene. And remember, don’t be shy to grab that extra mic – we can always use more voices on the harmonies and backing vocals!
