Top Karaoke Songs of All Time: 60 Crowd-Pleasers That Never Fail (2026)
Some songs were practically made for karaoke. They've got the crowd singalongs, the dramatic moments, and that magic quality that turns even nervous singers into rock stars.
After analyzing thousands of karaoke performances and talking to karaoke hosts worldwide, we've compiled the definitive list of top karaoke songs — the ones that consistently bring the house down.
TL;DR: The top karaoke songs combine crowd familiarity, singable melodies, and big emotional moments. "Don't Stop Believin'," "Bohemian Rhapsody," and "Sweet Caroline" top most lists. But the best song for you depends on your voice and the crowd. Scroll down for 60 songs organized by era, energy level, and occasion.
What Makes a Song a Karaoke Classic?
Not every hit song works as a karaoke song. The top karaoke songs share these qualities:
- Universal recognition: Everyone knows the words (or at least the chorus)
- Singalong moments: Parts where the whole room joins in
- Emotional peaks: Big choruses or dramatic builds that feel satisfying
- Forgiving melodies: Room for interpretation without sounding "wrong"
- Energy that builds: Songs that take the audience on a journey
According to karaoke machine manufacturers like Singing Machine and venue operators, these factors matter more than vocal difficulty or chart position.
The Top 15 Karaoke Songs of All Time
These songs have stood the test of time. They work in dive bars, wedding receptions, and everything in between.
| Rank | Song | Artist | Why It's #1 Material |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Don't Stop Believin'" | Journey | The ultimate karaoke anthem — everyone knows it |
| 2 | "Bohemian Rhapsody" | Queen | Pure theater; nobody expects perfection |
| 3 | "Sweet Caroline" | Neil Diamond | The "BA BA BA" guarantee |
| 4 | "Livin' on a Prayer" | Bon Jovi | Fist-pumping energy, crowd takes the chorus |
| 5 | "I Will Survive" | Gloria Gaynor | Empowering anthem with universal appeal |
| 6 | "Mr. Brightside" | The Killers | Modern classic everyone knows |
| 7 | "Dancing Queen" | ABBA | Pure joy, impossible not to dance |
| 8 | "Piano Man" | Billy Joel | Storytelling classic, crowd singalong |
| 9 | "Take On Me" | a-ha | High notes optional, energy required |
| 10 | "Total Eclipse of the Heart" | Bonnie Tyler | Dramatic power ballad perfection |
| 11 | "Summer Nights" | Grease Soundtrack | Perfect duet, everyone knows the parts |
| 12 | "Country Roads" | John Denver | Sentimental crowd-pleaser |
| 13 | "Wonderwall" | Oasis | The acoustic singalong choice |
| 14 | "I Want It That Way" | Backstreet Boys | 90s nostalgia hit |
| 15 | "Uptown Funk" | Bruno Mars | Modern party starter |
Top Karaoke Songs by Energy Level
High Energy Bangers
When you need to get the party started:
| Song | Artist | Energy Move |
|---|---|---|
| "Livin' on a Prayer" | Bon Jovi | Air guitar required |
| "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" | Joan Jett | Attitude over technique |
| "Uptown Funk" | Bruno Mars | Dance while you sing |
| "Shake It Off" | Taylor Swift | Pure fun energy |
| "I Gotta Feeling" | Black Eyed Peas | Party anthem |
| "September" | Earth, Wind & Fire | Disco energy |
| "Walking on Sunshine" | Katrina & The Waves | Infectious happiness |
| "Don't Stop Me Now" | Queen | Freddie Mercury energy |
Crowd Singalongs
Songs where the audience does half the work:
| Song | Artist | The Singalong Moment |
|---|---|---|
| "Sweet Caroline" | Neil Diamond | "BA BA BA" / "SO GOOD" |
| "Bohemian Rhapsody" | Queen | The entire operatic section |
| "Living on a Prayer" | Bon Jovi | "WOAH-OH!" |
| "Mr. Brightside" | The Killers | The entire chorus |
| "Country Roads" | John Denver | "WEST VIRGINIA" |
| "Hey Jude" | The Beatles | "Na na na" outro |
| "Don't Stop Believin'" | Journey | "Just a small town girl..." |
| "We Will Rock You" | Queen | Stomp-stomp-clap |
Power Ballads
For emotional moments and dramatic performances:
| Song | Artist | The Emotional Peak |
|---|---|---|
| "Total Eclipse of the Heart" | Bonnie Tyler | The key change |
| "I Will Always Love You" | Whitney Houston | That note (attempt at your own risk) |
| "My Heart Will Go On" | Celine Dion | The build to the final chorus |
| "It's All Coming Back to Me Now" | Celine Dion | The dramatic everything |
| "Without You" | Harry Nilsson / Mariah | The desperate chorus |
| "Careless Whisper" | George Michael | Saxophone sadness |
| "Purple Rain" | Prince | Guitar solo (just feel it) |
| "November Rain" | Guns N' Roses | Epic 9-minute journey |
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Top Karaoke Songs by Decade
70s Classics
| Song | Artist |
|---|---|
| "Bohemian Rhapsody" | Queen |
| "Dancing Queen" | ABBA |
| "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" | Elton John & Kiki Dee |
| "I Will Survive" | Gloria Gaynor |
| "YMCA" | Village People |
| "Hotel California" | Eagles |
| "Stayin' Alive" | Bee Gees |
| "Sweet Home Alabama" | Lynyrd Skynyrd |
80s Hits
| Song | Artist |
|---|---|
| "Take On Me" | a-ha |
| "Livin' on a Prayer" | Bon Jovi |
| "Sweet Child O' Mine" | Guns N' Roses |
| "Total Eclipse of the Heart" | Bonnie Tyler |
| "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" | Cyndi Lauper |
| "Pour Some Sugar on Me" | Def Leppard |
| "Don't Stop Believin'" | Journey |
| "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" | Joan Jett |
90s Favorites
| Song | Artist |
|---|---|
| "I Want It That Way" | Backstreet Boys |
| "...Baby One More Time" | Britney Spears |
| "Wannabe" | Spice Girls |
| "Smells Like Teen Spirit" | Nirvana |
| "Creep" | Radiohead |
| "No Diggity" | Blackstreet |
| "Waterfalls" | TLC |
| "Ironic" | Alanis Morissette |
2000s Anthems
| Song | Artist |
|---|---|
| "Mr. Brightside" | The Killers |
| "Since U Been Gone" | Kelly Clarkson |
| "Crazy in Love" | Beyoncé |
| "Hey Ya!" | OutKast |
| "Toxic" | Britney Spears |
| "Beautiful Day" | U2 |
| "Bye Bye Bye" | NSYNC |
| "In Da Club" | 50 Cent |
2010s–Today
| Song | Artist |
|---|---|
| "Uptown Funk" | Bruno Mars |
| "Happy" | Pharrell Williams |
| "Shallow" | Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper |
| "Shape of You" | Ed Sheeran |
| "Can't Stop the Feeling" | Justin Timberlake |
| "Old Town Road" | Lil Nas X |
| "Blinding Lights" | The Weeknd |
| "Flowers" | Miley Cyrus |
Top Karaoke Songs by Occasion
Wedding Receptions
| Song | Artist | Moment |
|---|---|---|
| "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" | Whitney Houston | Dance floor filler |
| "At Last" | Etta James | First dance material |
| "September" | Earth, Wind & Fire | Party starter |
| "Love Shack" | The B-52's | Group performance |
| "Don't Stop Believin'" | Journey | End of night anthem |
Birthday Parties
| Song | Artist | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| "Happy" | Pharrell Williams | Obvious but effective |
| "Celebration" | Kool & The Gang | Classic party song |
| "Dancing Queen" | ABBA | "Young and sweet, only seventeen..." |
| "I Gotta Feeling" | Black Eyed Peas | "Tonight's gonna be a good night" |
After-Work Karaoke
| Song | Artist | Stress Relief Level |
|---|---|---|
| "Take This Job and Shove It" | Johnny Paycheck | Maximum catharsis |
| "9 to 5" | Dolly Parton | Relatable anthem |
| "I Will Survive" | Gloria Gaynor | Empowerment |
| "Bohemian Rhapsody" | Queen | Full theatrical release |
How to Crush Any of These Songs
The top karaoke songs are popular for a reason — they're forgiving. But you can still elevate your performance:
1. Know the Words (Really Know Them)
Don't rely on the screen for every line. Know the verses well enough to make eye contact with the audience. The lyrics screen is a backup, not a teleprompter.
2. Commit to the Performance
The difference between a good karaoke performance and a great one isn't vocal ability — it's commitment. Own the song. If you're doing "Bohemian Rhapsody," go full theatrical. If it's "Uptown Funk," dance.
3. Read the Room
A high-energy "Livin' on a Prayer" kills at midnight when everyone's warmed up. It might fall flat at 8pm when people are still eating appetizers. Match your song choice to the energy in the room.
4. Create Your Own Tracks
Can't find the karaoke version you want? Use StemSplit to remove vocals from any song. Upload the original, strip the vocals, and you've got a custom karaoke track.
FAQ
What's the most popular karaoke song?
"Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey consistently ranks as the #1 karaoke song worldwide. Its combination of universal familiarity, singalong chorus, and emotional build make it nearly impossible to fail.
What karaoke songs always get a reaction?
Songs with built-in audience participation: "Sweet Caroline" (BA BA BA), "Bohemian Rhapsody" (the operatic section), "Living on a Prayer" (the WOAH-OH), and "Mr. Brightside" (everyone sings along). These songs turn karaoke into a group experience.
What's the best karaoke song for someone who can't sing?
"Sweet Caroline" — the melody is simple, the range is limited, and the crowd participation covers any mistakes. Other safe choices: "Country Roads," "Wonderwall," and "Hey Ya!" (more about energy than pitch).
How do I pick a karaoke song that fits my voice?
Sing the song in your car first. If you can hit the notes comfortably while driving (without straining), it's in your range. Don't pick songs where you have to "reach" for notes — that strain is audible and uncomfortable to watch.
Where can I find karaoke versions of songs?
Karaoke apps and YouTube have popular songs, but selection is limited. For any song, you can create your own karaoke version using a vocal remover like StemSplit. Upload the track, remove vocals, and download your custom instrumental.
The Bottom Line
The top karaoke songs aren't about difficulty — they're about connection. The songs that work best are the ones everyone knows, the ones with moments that invite the crowd to participate, and the ones that let you have fun regardless of your vocal ability.
Pick a song from this list that matches your energy and the room's vibe. Practice it once or twice. Then commit fully to the performance. That's the formula for karaoke success.
And if you can't find the karaoke version you need, make it yourself with StemSplit.
Ready to Dominate Karaoke Night?
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