48 Best Karaoke Songs to Turn Guests into Rockstars

After hosting hundreds of karaoke nights and watching plenty brave souls grab the mic, I've learned one thing: the right song can turn any guest into a rockstar, but the wrong song leaves everyone checking their phones. 

Here are the 48 best karaoke songs that consistently bring down the house on Weekend’s Karaoke, at a bar, or at any big night out.

The best karaoke songs: Crowd-pleasers

The best karaoke songs don't just sound good; they turn shy guests into backup singers. These crowd-pleasers get everyone in the room belting out choruses, whether they planned to sing or not.

1. Don't Stop Believin' by Journey: The ultimate sing-along that makes strangers become instant friends by the final chorus.
2. Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond: Three words guarantee a packed dance floor: Sweet Caroline, BAH BAH BAH!
3. Livin' on a Prayer by Bon Jovi: Everyone knows “WOAH, we're halfway there,” even if they claim they don't like '80s rock.
4. Mr. Brightside by The Killers: This 2000s anthem hasn't left karaoke rotations since it dropped, and for good reason.
5. Firework by Katy Perry: That "do you ever feel like a plastic bag" opening might make people smirk, but the moment the chorus hits, the whole room is pointing fingers at the sky and belting it out together.
6. Wannabe by Spice Girls: Five friends attempting this together = instant chaos and entertainment.
7. Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen: Six minutes of pure karaoke theater that requires full commitment from everyone in the room.
8. Twist and Shout by The Beatles: The second that opening riff kicks in, arms go up, and inhibitions go out. No karaoke experience required.
9. Teenage Dirtbag by Wheatus: Everyone secretly loves this underdog anthem, and the room always sings the Nooo-oh-oh-oh harder than the actual performer does.

When guests want to prove themselves

You can actually recognize competence in the best karaoke songs; they separate confident singers from bathroom shower performers. Pick one of these if you actually want to show off your vocal range and impress people.

10. I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston: The Everest of karaoke songs; nail that final note and you'll earn legendary status for the night.
11. Rolling in the Deep by Adele: Strong vocals required, but if you can pull it off, this powerhouse track commands instant respect.
12. Somebody to Love by Queen: Freddie Mercury's range is nearly impossible to match, but trying makes for epic entertainment.
13. Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler: This dramatic '80s ballad rewards singers who commit fully to the theatrics and emotion.
14. Listen by Beyoncé: Only attempt this Dreamgirls showstopper if you're ready for the vocal workout of your life.
15. And I am Telling You I'm Not Going by Jennifer Hudson: Another Dreamgirls classic cover that demands serious vocal power and emotional delivery.

Perfect for duos

Karaoke gets infinitely better with a partner. These duet songs let you split the vocal responsibility while doubling the entertainment value.

16. Shallow by Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper: The A Star Is Born hit that turns every duo into instant rockstars with that iconic chorus.
17. Islands in the Stream by Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers: This country-pop classic flows naturally between voices and gets crowds swaying.
18. Don't Go Breaking My Heart by Elton John & Kiki Dee: Pure fun from start to finish with zero stress about hitting impossible notes.
19. Summer Nights by John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John: Grease gold that works best when you add some theatrical flair to the performance.
20. Endless Love by Diana Ross & Lionel Richie: The romantic ballad that either makes couples adorable or makes single friends wildly uncomfortable.
21. (I've Had) The Time of My Life by Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes: Dirty Dancing's climactic duet that everyone attempts and nobody perfects.

Guilty pleasure hits

Nobody admits they love these karaoke songs, but everyone knows every word. These nostalgic pop hits turn skeptics into enthusiastic backup dancers the second that first beat drops.

22. Baby One More Time by Britney Spears: The late '90s classic that makes everyone revert to their teenage selves.
23. I Want It That Way by Backstreet Boys: Five guys harmonizing about wanting something that way, and nobody questioning what that way actually means.
24. Bye Bye Bye by *NSYNC: The choreography is burned into everyone's muscle memory from 2000, whether they admit it or not.
25. Toxic by Britney Spears: This 2004 banger requires commitment to the drama and zero shame about hitting those ooh sounds.
26. Oops! ... I Did It Again by Britney Spears: Another Britney classic where the title perfectly describes how you feel the next morning.

To start the night right

These are the best karaoke songs to break the ice before anyone's had enough liquid courage. Pick one of these upbeat tracks to get the energy flowing and convince shy friends to join in.

27. Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars: This funk-filled banger gets feet moving before the first chorus even hits.
28. Shake It Off by Taylor Swift: The ultimate who cares what anyone thinks anthem that gives nervous singers permission to be imperfect.
29. Dancing Queen by ABBA: Those opening piano notes trigger an involuntary urge to sway in literally every human being.
30. September by Earth, Wind & Fire: Ba-dee-ya translates to everyone sing along immediately in every language.
31. Party in the U.S.A. by Miley Cyrus: This 2009 hit remains the official anthem of feeling awkward at parties and needing a confidence boost.
32. Can't Stop the Feeling! by Justin Timberlake: Scientifically proven to make people smile against their will, perfect for warming up the crowd.

Songs that get everyone dancing

The top karaoke songs aren't always about perfect vocals. Sometimes they're about getting bodies moving. These tracks transform any space into an impromptu dance floor, no rhythm required.

33. Don't Stop Me Now by Queen: Freddie Mercury's unstoppable energy radiates through every listener, making sitting still physically impossible.
34. Footloose by Kenny Loggins: The '80s anthem that literally demands you kick off your Sunday shoes and move.
35. I Wanna Dance with Somebody by Whitney Houston: Whitney's joyful energy is contagious, and those synths make everyone shimmy.
36. Are You Gonna Be My Girl by Jet: That driving count-in, stomp-and-clap energy makes standing still feel like a personal choice that nobody in the room is willing to make.

For when you're feeling extra

These songs require full commitment to the drama and zero self-consciousness. Perfect for performers who treat the karaoke stage like Broadway.

37. Since U Been Gone by Kelly Clarkson: Pure breakup catharsis that lets you belt out post-relationship rage with zero judgment.
38. Before He Cheats by Carrie Underwood: Country revenge anthem perfect for channeling your inner wronged ex with attitude.
39. Bad Romance by Lady Gaga: Weird, dramatic, and absolutely unforgettable when performed with proper Gaga-level commitment.
40. It's Raining Men by The Weather Girls: Over-the-top disco energy that celebrates excess and demands full theatrical delivery.
41. Dream On by Aerosmith: Steven Tyler's screaming high notes are ambitious, but the crowd respects anyone who attempts them.

Timeless classics that never fail

Some of the best karaoke songs have survived decades because they work every single time. No matter the crowd's age or musical taste, these universally loved tracks guarantee participation.

42. Take on Me by A-ha: That iconic synth intro and impossible high note make this '80s hit instantly recognizable across generations.
43. Come On Eileen by Dexys Midnight Runners: The Celtic-rock energy and too-ra-loo-ra chorus create uncontrollable sing-along moments.
44. Africa by Toto: This 1982 masterpiece remains karaoke royalty, and everyone passionately sings to bless the rains down in Africa.
45. Hotel California by Eagles: The guitar solo alone makes this worth singing, even if the lyrics get a bit philosophical.
46. You're the One That I Want by John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John: The tempo shift to that punchy chorus gives any duo an easy dramatic arc, and those ooh ooh ooh hooks land every time.
47. Wonderwall by Oasis: Britpop's defining moment that somehow convinced everyone they could play guitar while singing.
48. We Are the Champions by Queen: Freddie Mercury's victory anthem that turns any karaoke night into a championship celebration.

More ways to keep the party going with Weekend

Weekend’s Karaoke (on Roku) keeps the fun going, but it also tracks pitch in real time with your TV remote as the mic, so you can see who actually hit the notes. Between rounds, when voices need rest, Weekend’s Song Quiz plays clips and players race to shout titles and artists. Built-in scoring keeps competition going while throats recover.

Weekend's other games keep competition alive without equipment changes. Everything runs on the same TV setup you're already using for karaoke.

• Jeopardy!, the official TV quiz game with thousands of real clues, on Roku, Fire TV, Samsung, and LG.
• Wheel of Fortune, spin-and-solve word puzzles with the iconic sounds from the real show, on Roku, Fire TV, Samsung, and LG.
• 20 Questions, go head-to-head with a witty AI game host in quick conversational rounds, on Roku.
• Wit's End, an AI-powered fantasy adventure where your voice drives the story, on Fire TV, Samsung, and LG.
• Guess the Emoji, for quick, visual guessing games that are easy for kids and adults to jump into, on Roku.

Start with a 7-day free trial, then decide if the $12.99/month subscription fits. Search “Weekend” in the app store on your Roku, Fire TV, Samsung, or LG smart TV to get started.

FAQs

What actually makes a song work for karaoke?

If people recognize it in the first few seconds, you’re already winning. The best picks have a clear melody, simple verses, and a chorus that the whole room can yell without thinking. Songs with tricky runs or dense rap verses usually fall apart unless you’ve practiced them.

How many songs should I have ready?

Three is the sweet spot. One song you could sing half-asleep, one you’re excited to try if the vibe feels right, and one spare in case your first choice disappears from the queue. Standing there scrolling kills momentum fast.

What’s the easiest song for a first-timer?

Sweet Caroline is basically karaoke on training wheels. Once the chorus hits, the room takes over. Don’t Stop Believin’ and Livin’ on a Prayer work for the same reason: people jump in before you even ask.

Can I really do karaoke at home with just my phone?

Yes, with Weekend’s Karaoke on Roku, your TV remote or paired smartphone works as the mic, and the Weekend app handles the rest. A lot of setups also work with Bluetooth speaker mics if you already have one lying around.

Which songs are a bad idea?

Anything you don’t know word-for-word, songs built for vocal acrobatics, or deep cuts nobody can place. And unless the night’s winding down, save the long, emotional ballads for later.