Let’s be real for a second: anyone who says they don’t love karaoke is lying. Who doesn’t enjoy singing their hearts out to their favorite songs? Whether you have the voice of an angel or can’t sing to save your life, it is such a fun thing to do with your friends on a night out. 

But, there are some crucial elements that must come together in order to make the night a success. I am talking about the elephant in the room: the songs themselves. A successful performance requires songs that are classic, well known and easy to sing. That way, your friends can step up and join you. As I experienced, choosing good tunes is harder than you would think. Well, lucky for you, below is a list of songs that are sure to fill your night with debut performances and uncovering of superstars. It contains some fast-paced hype songs as well as some slower ones to allow everyone to take a quick rest. 

“Party in the U.S.A.” – Miley Cyrus 

It would be sad not to begin with this one. Everyone knows it and it is sure to start off your night of singing with a bang. 

“Love Story” – Taylor Swift

Another classic. This is the perfect song to sing with your friends and imagine yourself running though the field of grass like Swift did in her music video. 

“Stayin’ Alive” – Bee Gees 

There is no worse crime than not putting this one on here. With its steady rhythm and famous lyrics, it guarantees a good time. 

“Famous” – Kanye West

Any Kanye fan would demand this song to be included. With the background chorus and the mixture of rap and vocals, it has something that everyone can have a go at. And with snippets from Rihanna, this song could not get any better. When my friends and I sang it, we had each of us doing a different part to create a rather impressive rendition. I think Kanye would be impressed. 

“Firework” – Katy Perry 

None of us can deny that this song featured in a bedroom mirror concert performance when you were younger. Even if a couple of your friends don’t have the lyrics memorized, the amazing buildup at the beginning and disco-like beat brings out everyone’s best dance moves. 

“Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” – Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson

Alright, you’re probably out of breath by the time you’ve jammed out to the songs before this one. But don’t worry, this awesome duo is here to give you a slightly slower classic. Despite being released way before our time, this song still reigns supreme and is one of my personal favorites. 

“Sweet Caroline” – Neil Diamond 

I have a slight bias with this one. As well as being a ‘banger,’ going viral on TikTok and featuring at every school dance ever, this song has a special place in my heart as one of my best friend’s name is Caroline. Even if you don’t have a friend to serenade with this song, it’s so fun to get all your friends screaming the chorus of the famous “ba, ba, ba”.

“Dark Horse” – Katy Perry 

The bass in Dark Horse is enough to get it on here. This is the time to shock your friends and unleash your freaky dance moves. 

“Take Me Home, Country Roads” – John Denver, Bill Danoff and Taffy Nivert

The chorus to this Denver classic is so nostalgic and always brings me back to those warm summer days driving with the windows rolled down on a wide open road. It will allow you and your friends to take a second, catch your breath and reflect on your happy memories. 

“24K Magic” – Bruno Mars 

I bet you were worried I had forgotten. Arguably the best song of the epic 2016 album, “24K Magic” is a masterpiece of ‘80s funk meets modern recording technology. 

“She Will Be Loved” – Maroon 5 

This playlist would not be complete without some Maroon 5. Despite peaking in the early 2010s, the songs this band left behind are not going anywhere. “She Will Be Loved” in particular is a beautiful concoction of perfectly written lyrics and flawless musical accompaniment. 

“Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” – Kelly Clarkson 

Whether you are getting over someone, going through a tough time or just love feeling the lyrics, this song is arguably the showpiece of Clarkson’s career. Covers and spin-offs have been made, but nothing compares to the 2012 original. 

“Uptown Funk” – Mark Ronson (feat. Bruno Mars) 

I was asking one of my friends what they thought of this playlist so far and I am ashamed to say I almost forgot to include “Uptown Funk”. Similarly to “Famous,” this song has the perfect number of parts and background sounds for all of your friends to join in. Even if someone just does the “hot damn” part they are guaranteed a good time. 

“Stronger” – Kanye West 

I bet I would have a hard time finding someone who didn’t know the opening five seconds of this song. The vibe is just so good and it will definitely leave everyone in a cheerful mood. 

“Payphone” – Maroon 5 (feat. Wiz Khalifa) 

Showcasing and recognizing heartbreak and ache, this is an anthem for anyone who is done with love songs and is in desperate need of an outlet. As said in the song, “all those fairytales are full of…,” well you know what. 

“Ocean Eyes” – Billie Eilish 

You’re all exhausted. You’ve been dancing and singing your hearts out to all the amazing songs on this list. Now, you need a song to end the night on a high and get your heart rates back down to normal. Eilish has a special place in my heart as I have been a fan of hers since before she sprinted to fame. “Ocean Eyes” was her first song, and it is the perfect emotional song to end off an amazing night. 

Alright. You’ve got the playlist, and you’re hyped. Now all you have to do is gather your friends and unleash your inner singer. Even if you have your doubts about karaoke, I promise you won’t be disappointed. Let the music bring you to life!