I don't get to sing karaoke often — less than once a month, for sure. But I still have a karaoke playlist on my phone that I frequently add to. Karaoke is just fucking fun — even if it's not a regular pastime.
If going into a dark room with a group of other people to sing classic hits makes you feel terrified, don't be! Karaoke bars are a super-relaxed way to have fun with your friends in a closed setting — and it's way less intimidating than getting up to sing in front of a crowded bar.
The key to having a fun karaoke night is choosing songs that the majority of people will recognize. Karaoke night isn't the time to show off your love for cool indie bands. (And chances are, the lesser-known songs might not be available to sing, anyway.) Singing cheesy songs is often more fun, too, because there's no pressure to perform them well.
We've rounded up some of the best songs to sing on your next trip to a karaoke bar. Check back often, because we'll keep adding more to the list.
"Dangerous Woman," Ariana Grande
To ease into the karaoke fun, start off with a song everyone (no matter what age) knows. Most of Ariana Grande's songs lend themselves to karaoke, but everyone will recognize "Dangerous Woman" and want to join in on your rendition.
"New Romantics," Taylor Swift
Swifties and non-Swifties alike will love singing the hits off her 1989 album.
"Cake By The Ocean," DNCE
Everyone from your roommate to your parents will want to sing along to this song.
"Uptown Funk," Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars
Even the Stranger Things kids have performed a rendition of this song. We'd be remiss if we didn't include it on the list.
"What Makes You Beautiful," One Direction
Karaoke buddies from your bro-y college friends to your teen cousins will want to sing this.
"Everytime," Britney Spears
It wouldn't be a karaoke trip without at least one Britney song. Why not throw it back with "Everytime"?
"Yoü And I," Lady Gaga
Even the original version of this song sounds like Gaga's singing it at a bar's open mic night.
"Single Ladies," Beyoncé
Everyone will love singing (and dancing) to this one, even the guys.
"Price Tag," Jessie J featuring B.o.B
All of your friends know this song. They may hate it — but if you force them to sing along, they'll be smiling by the end.
"Modern Love," David Bowie
"Modern Love" is perfect for karaoke — even your shy friends will want to join in on the chorus.
"Some Nights," Fun.
Whether you love or hate Fun., there's no better way to bring a group of people together than by singing the opening "Oh, oh" chorus repeatedly.
"Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)," Backstreet Boys
Every '90s kid will love singing Backstreet Boys songs at karaoke night. The backup vocals on this one are perfect for a group performance.
"Dog Days Are Over," Florence + The Machine
Even if you're not a good singer, Florence + The Machine songs are ridiculously fun to perform. You'll have everyone clapping along to the beat with this one.
"Don't Stop Me Now," Queen
If Paul Rudd can perform it during Lip Sync Battle, you can belt out this classic Queen hit, too.
"I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)," The Proclaimers
If this song can get Ted and Marshall through years of road trips on How I Met Your Mother, it can definitely get your friend group through karaoke night.
"Happy Ending," MIKA
MIKA attracts a certain type of fans — not everyone's heard of him, but the people who have are devoted. Literally all of his songs lend themselves to karaoke and you can't go wrong with a classic like "Happy Ending." When you find a friend who loves MIKA, make them your karaoke buddy for life.
"I'm on a Boat," The Lonely Island
Yes, it's cheesy — but everyone knows this song. You'll be singing along by the end of it, even if you weren't the one who added it to the karaoke queue.
"Sugar," Maroon 5
It's almost more fun impersonating Adam Levine's falsetto if you're hilariously off-key.
"Everybody Wants To Rule The World," Tears For Fears
When everyone gets tired of upbeat hits, slow down the mood with this classic, but still fun, option.
"Love Story," Taylor Swift
This is especially fun when the performers are all male (and a few drinks in).
"Save You Tonight," One Direction
Okay, the lyrics of this song are a little problematic — you probably shouldn't think of a romantic interest as someone who needs "saving." But the song is so fun and upbeat that it's a blast to sing with a group.
"Stay With Me," Sam Smith
If you want to show off your singing chops — or just to butcher a Top 40 song — "Stay With Me" is the perfect choice.
"When You Were Young," The Killers
You might not like them now, but you definitely had at least one Killers song on your playlists back in the day. And everyone else did, too.
"I Hate Myself for Loving You," Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
For when your karaoke trip is also a night out to get over your ex, you can't beat this rock classic.
"Girl Crush," Little Big Town
This song isn't as upbeat as most of the others on this list. But sometimes, you just need to belt out a ballad about unrequited love.
"Enjoy The Silence," Depeche Mode
If your friends love the '80s, they'll get a kick out of imitating Depeche Mode's accents in this hit.
"Roar," Katy Perry
Everyone's got a little Katy Perry in them, just waiting to bust out at a karaoke bar.
"Tah Dah," MIKA
Remember what we said about MIKA songs lending themselves to karaoke? This one's almost too perfect.
"One Thing," One Direction
Okay, so this list is a bit heavy with the 1D. But everyone knows this song.
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