The best karaoke songs ever
Made right, karaoke can be funny ("Love Shack"), Romantic ("Stand by Me"), epic, cheerful, sentimental and, of course, drunk. (If it's bad, well, let's not go there.) We've put together a playlist of the best karaoke songs available for people who show party songs, love songs, hip hop hymns, energetic drum songs, rock hymns and duets . We assure you that there is no drop in energy or boredom here - just a great kindness to sing-yer-heart-out. Hit a karaoke bar, grab your mic, knock your drink and panic-eat a fistful of chips in a mouth: It's time to get on the stage, tiger.
“Purple Rain” by Prince
Now that our patron saint of frilly-bloused, pan-erotic, disco-rock-sex-funk has sadly shuffled off this mortal coil, his signature slow jam can serve as much as tribute as a “let's-slow-things-down” showpiece in your karaoke rep. If it's not too lofty to put that pressure on what is—let's face it—a mostly frivolous activity, a karaoke run at “Purple Rain” might even lift some spirits. Sung in a gracious middle key (Eb, as the preview screen helpfully reminds you) rather than Prince's frequent falsetto squeal, it should allow you to bare your soul without any embarrassing high-register mishaps.—Bryan Kerwin
"Like a Prayer" by Madonna
Madonna gets sex in the church in her 1988 title title title. Even stripped of her staring video, the song is pretty hot in her fiery report and fellatio. ("When I call my name is like a little prayer / I'm down on my knees, I want to get there.") Whatever the blend of piety and lust you bring to your version, the important thing is to get it The entire Chamber to sing and beat down as your chorus at the bottom as you preach Madge's passion.-Andrew Frisicano
“Let’s Get It On” by Marvin Gaye
Nothing gets a room all worked up like Marvin Gaye's quintessential call to—and for—action. The arrangement throws some curve balls, eschewing a traditional verse-chorus structure in favor of a relaxed jam where Marvin can let loose with sultry riffs and primal howls, but a brave performer can use that to their advantage. Impress by inhabiting every provocative coo and rasp as they were recorded, or throw caution where your three sheets are and take off in your own direction. Either way your chances of leaving the bar alone just decreased 100%.—Bryan Kerwin
"I Want To Play With Someone" by Whitney Houston
Whitney's blast in 1987 remains a vibrant explosion of the glory of the pop glory, its powerful and versatile voice that plays easily on sincere synthesizers and guitars. The whole thing makes lonely solitary quest for a dance dance sound as the best night ever Friday. Of course, no one is just in karaoke. Especially if you nail that key change of the third act-Bryan Kerwin
“Love Shack” by the B-52’s
There is a great tradition in pop of pairing seductive female voices with weird dudes who just talk. It dates back to Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood, and Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg, running to its acrobatic and strange extreme with the Sugarcubes. I suppose you could throw "Drunk in Love" in that category, too. The B-52s are the ultimate example of this. All those who can't carry a tune in a wheelbarrow, you should thank your drunky stars for the karaoke salvation of Fred Schneider's sprechstimme. You might need a couple ringers on stage to help with the Kate and Cindy parts of this 1989 chorus, but they'll never steal the spotlight from your sassy barking.—Brent DiCrescenzo