Ever walked into a karaoke bar and felt that electric buzz when the whole crowd suddenly erupts into song? Some tunes just have that magic—they turn strangers into backup singers and turn shy folks into rockstars for three glorious minutes. Whether you’re a shower singer or a seasoned performer, these 15 legendary tracks will have the whole room belting along with you.
1. Queen – “Don’t Stop Me Now”
Freddie Mercury’s electrifying anthem is pure karaoke fuel. The moment that piano kicks in, even the most reserved person in the room will be stomping their feet. “I’m a shooting star leaping through the sky” isn’t just a lyric—it’s a battle cry for karaoke warriors. The song’s relentless energy makes it impossible to stand still, and the crowd always joins in for the “Galileo!” section. Pro tip: Dramatic air piano moves earn extra points.
2. Bon Jovi – “Livin’ on a Prayer”
This rock classic has the most crowd-friendly chorus in history. That “WHOAAAA, we’re halfway there!” is like a siren call for drunk harmonies. The beauty? You don’t even need to hit the high notes—just point the mic at the audience when Jon Bon Jovi’s iconic wail comes around. Bonus: The song’s working-class story makes everyone feel like they’re part of something bigger. By the final chorus, you’ll have a choir of Tommy and Gina impersonators.
3. Adele – “Someone Like You”
For when you want to turn the karaoke bar into your personal dramatic monologue. Adele’s heartbreak ballad turns every singer into a temporary Oscar winner. The slow tempo gives you time to really milk those emotional pauses—staring into the distance optional but highly recommended. Watch as the room gradually quiets down, then erupts when you nail that “Never mind, I’ll find someone like you” climax. Tissue vendors should set up shop whenever this plays.
4. ABBA – “Dancing Queen”
This disco masterpiece transcends age, gender, and musical taste. From grandparents to TikTok teens, everyone knows the words to ABBA’s glittery anthem. The genius part? You can talk-sing half of it if the high notes seem scary. When that “You can dance!” breakdown hits, watch the room turn into an instant dance floor. Fun fact: Scientists still can’t explain why this song makes people do the shoulder shimmy automatically.
5. Oasis – “Wonderwall”
The ultimate “I can’t really sing but want to look cool” karaoke pick. Liam Gallagher’s mumble-core delivery means you can slur half the lyrics and people will think you’re being authentic. The simple chord progression invites air guitarists, and that “Because maybe…” buildup guarantees crowd participation. Warning: May cause spontaneous lighter-waving even in non-smoking venues.
6. Britney Spears – “…Baby One More Time”
That iconic schoolgirl outfit lives rent-free in our collective memory, and so does this chorus. Britney’s debut hit is pop perfection—simple enough for beginners but packed with enough attitude to sell it. The “Oh baby baby” hook is like catnip for tipsy backup singers. Extra credit if you do the chair spin from the music video (safety not guaranteed).
7. John Denver – “Take Me Home, Country Roads”
Proof that geography doesn’t matter when a song hits right. You’ve never been to West Virginia? Doesn’t matter—by the second chorus, you’ll be belting like you grew up in the Appalachian Mountains. This folky tune has a magical way of making strangers harmonize like old friends. Beer mugs will rise during “Mountain mama” like it’s a national anthem.
8. Journey – “Don’t Stop Believin’”
The karaoke holy grail. From “Just a small-town girl” onward, you’ve got the crowd in your pocket. The song builds so perfectly that even terrible singers sound decent by the epic finale. That final “Don’t stop—” pause is where you either become a legend or crack under pressure. Either way, the crowd will carry you through.
9. Shania Twain – “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!”
The ultimate confidence booster. That opening “Let’s go girls!” is an invitation to unleash your inner diva. The playful lyrics and bouncy rhythm make it impossible to sing without strutting. Watch as the room divides into teams—those belting the verses and those waiting for that iconic “Oh-oh-oh!” breakdown. Guaranteed to turn wallflowers into spotlight stealers.
10. Toto – “Africa”
How did a song about the Serengeti become the ultimate group singalong? There’s something about that chorus that makes people throw their arms around each other like they’re in a movie montage. The “I bless the rains down in Africa” line hits with unexpected emotional weight. Pro move: Dramatically hold that last “Afri-caaaaa” until security asks you to wrap it up.
11. Cyndi Lauper – “Girls Just Want to Have Fun”
The musical equivalent of pouring glitter on everything. Lauper’s voice cracks and all, this anthem celebrates imperfection. By the time you hit “That’s all they really want,” the whole room becomes your hype squad. The song’s joyful rebellion makes it perfect for group performances—assign someone to be the echo on “some fun tonight!”
12. Gloria Gaynor – “I Will Survive”
Part breakup song, part empowerment manifesto, all karaoke gold. The disco beat gets hips moving, but it’s that “Go on now go” middle finger to exes that really gets the crowd roaring. The longer the song goes, the more confident you’ll feel—by the end, you’ll be belting like you’re headlining Studio 54.
13. Neil Diamond – “Sweet Caroline”
Three words: “BAH BAH BAAAH.” That’s all you need to know. This song has the most predictable yet satisfying crowd interaction in karaoke history. The verses are basically filler until everyone can shout the chorus together. Fun fact: People instinctively grab their friends’ shoulders during “Good times never seemed so good.”
14. Taylor Swift – “Love Story”
Swifties unite! This fairytale romance translates perfectly to karaoke, especially during the soaring “Marry me Juliet” payoff. The lyrics are so well-known that even non-fans can fake it convincingly. Bonus: It’s short enough that the crowd won’t lose interest but packed with enough drama to feel epic.
15. Backstreet Boys – “I Want It That Way”
The boy band harmonies make this a group performance dream. By the second chorus, the room naturally splits into parts like it’s 1999 all over again. The lyrics make zero sense (“Ain’t nothin’ but a heartache”?), but no one cares when that falsetto “Tell me why” hits. Warning: May cause spontaneous boy band dance moves.
Now grab that mic like it’s your Grammy acceptance speech—what’s your ultimate karaoke showstopper?
Besides founding Festivaltopia, Luca is the co founder of trib, an art and fashion collectiv you find on several regional events and online. Also he is part of the management board at HORiZONTE, a group travel provider in Germany.
