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That song catalogue has way too many pages to count, and you only have so much time to choose the soundtrack to your show-stopping musical number. What’s a karaoke lover to do? Have no fear: We’ve gathered 75 no-fail songs to put in your karaoke queue: uncomplicated, entry-level crowd-pleasers that are doable even for newbies—but still not clichés.
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“We Belong Together” by Mariah Carey
Start off softly so you have enough energy to rupture the group’s eardrums when you hit Carey’s epic high note at the end.
“Crazy in Love” by Beyonce ft. Jay-Z
This is for the girls who just met that special someone.
“My Boo” by Usher ft. Alicia Keys
Perfect for any couples (or duos) who want to serenade each other.
“The Climb” by Miley Cyrus
We couldn’t write a karaoke list without including this powerful ballad. Don’t forget to take a deep breath before belting out, “It’s the cliiiiiiimb.”
“Rolling in The Deep” by Adele
You’ll have to sing this song with soul if you want to measure up to Adele.
“Jealous” by Nick Jonas
Be careful with those high notes!
“Just Fine” by Mary J. Blige
You don’t need Mary’s singing skills to perform this uplifting banger.
“Price Tag” by Jessie J
The perfect early 2000s karaoke song. No explanation needed.
“When I Grow Up” by Pussycat Dolls
Who didn’t sing along to this song in their bedroom? It couldn’t just be me, right?
“All I Do is Win” by DJ Khaled feat. Ludacris, Rick Ross, T-Pain, and Snoop Dogg
Are you ready to go full Emma Stone in the karaoke booth? (Just make sure your friends give you enough room once you’ve got the mic in hand.)
“Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey
An overrated choice? Sure. But a classic? Absolutely. Glee fans, this song is for you.
Any night that begins with a “Fergalicious” rendition at karaoke is going to be a good one.
“When I See You” by Fantasia
I LOVE IT, I LOVE ITTTTTT.
“Rewrite the Stars” performed by Zac Efron and Zendaya in The Greatest Showman
“Gotta Go My Own Way” walked so “Rewrite The Stars” could FLYYYYY.
“Someone Like You” by Adele
An Adele song is always good in my book.
“Oops! I Did It Again” by Britney Spears
Because you get to do the “But I thought the old lady dropped it into the ocean at the end” bit and it’s amazing.
“Party in the U.S.A.” by Miley Cyrus
“Stay” by Rihanna ft. Mikky Ekko
“That Don’t Impress Me Much” by Shania Twain
Wear your best leopard skin hooded cloak.
“Hopelessly Devoted to You” by Olivia Newton-John
Look for this one under “Grease soundtrack” and watch liquid pour out of everyone’s eyes.
“Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)” by Backstreet Boys
“Am I sexxxxxx-ual?” Yup.
“Pretty Hurts” by Beyoncé
You’ve discovered through trial and error that Queen Bey both has the range (too high) and the speed (too fast). It’s almost impossible to pull off any of her other songs, but this slower self-love jam is actually within reach, even for us Bey-non-cés out there.
“Eternal Flame” by The Bangles
This ’80s classic used to be so ubiquitous it was verboten in the karaoke cave, but when’s the last time you heard it ’round the traps? Exactly. Don’t worry about that high note at the end—nobody is paying attention to you anyway.
“Wuthering Heights” by Kate Bush
It’s very tricky to sing, but the best thing about this song is that inevitably, two of your friends will put it in the queue and you can use one of those times to go to the restroom. The other best thing is the interpretive dance everyone does together. Just by trying it…you cannot fail.
“Maps” by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Karen O’s pleading modern torch song for her former boyfriend, The Liars’ Angus Andrew (legend has it the title is an acronym for “My Angus Please Stay”), somehow got on every karaoke bar’s list, and now it’s pretty much the only way to close out the night.
“Killing Me Softly With His Song” by The Fugees
Just try not to sing along.
“Don’t Dream It’s Over” by Crowded House
Tired of everyone jumping in on your tracks? Try this beautiful ballad, which everyone kind of but not really knows—even though Ariana Grande and Miley Cyrus once covered it while wearing animal onesies. Mic will be all yours, baby.
“Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga
Don’t know the lyrics? No problem. You’ll figure it out by the end.
“Lovefool” by The Cardigans
The happiest sad song in the world.
“Summertime Sadness” by Lana Del Rey
It doesn’t have to be summer to belt out these moody Oh, ohhh oh-ohs.
“I Wanna Dance With Somebody” by Whitney Houston
I mean, you could go with “I Will Always Love You”…if you want to be annoying.
“Don’t Speak” by No Doubt
Get your BFF to do the harmonies with you.
“A Thousand Miles” by Vanessa Carlton
Hands down the best karaoke song in the whole world, no arguments accepted!!!
“Kiss Me” by Sixpence None the Richer
What is bearded barley? Nobody knows.
“Super Bass” by Nicki Minaj
Note: This is a very advanced-level choice, but if you can nail it, you’ll definitely earn the night’s MVP award.
“Kiss From a Rose” by Seal
Who cares what it means. Everyone knows it!
“Shallow” by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper
It was made to be belted with your bestie.
“Linger” by The Cranberries
Romance the room with this beauty from the late great Dolores O’Riordan.
“Valerie” by Amy Winehouse
Direct this one to your crush 😉 😉
“Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac
Direct this one to your ex 😉 😉 😉
Unfortunately, someone will probably try to rap over you.
“Ironic” by Alanis Morrissette
IT’S LIKE RAY-EE-AAAAAAAAAAAAAAIN…ON YOUR WEDDING DAY!
“You Gotta Be” by Des’ree
Man, this song is so good.
“Knowing Me, Knowing You” by ABBA
But if you rub on your cheek on someone like in the video it might get weird.
“Superstar” by The Carpenters
If you’re really in a mood.
“Here You Come Again” by Dolly Parton
All you gotta do is smile that smile!
“Teenage Dirtbag” by Wheatus
“The Boy Is Mine” by Brandy and Monica
A great—nay, perfect—duet.
“Crush” by Jennifer Paige
Everyone will respect you 9% more because of this #tbt.
“All I Want for Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey
Not only at Christmas time, but literally any time.
“It’s All Coming Back to Me Now” by Celine Dion
Forget about the Titanic stuff. This is the Celine joint you wanna stick with.
“The Bad Touch” by The Bloodhound Gang
If karaoke makes you nervous as hell, this talky gross-out about bonking is honestly the best choice.
“Dancing in the Dark” by Bruce Springsteen
There is no bad time or place to hear this song.
“Another Night” by The Real McCoy
This Danish ’90s dance classic has an amazing spoken bit in the middle.
“Genie in a Bottle” by Christina Aguilera
The most doable Christina tune.
If you don’t “wannabe” a cliché, pick this lil’ SG ditty instead.
If you actually learn the verses, this will go off.
You be JC Chasez, I’ll be JT.
“We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” by Taylor Swift
“I Don’t Want to Wait” by Paula Cole
Warning: You’ll want to watch Dawson’s Creek immediately after.
Drunk at 3 A.M., you will realize this is the most beautiful song in the world.
“Hold On” by Wilson Phillips
“Only Happy When It Rains” by Garbage
“Family Affair” by Mary J. Blige
Don’t need no hateration in this karaoke!
“Bring Me to Life” by Evanescence
A good twofer for your boo-fer.
Don’t blame me if the boys actually come to the yard.
“Promiscuous Girl” by Nelly Furtado
“Jenny From the Block” by Jennifer Lopez
To show you’re still real, you know?
From when he was so smol!!!!
“That’s What Friends Are For” by Dionne Warwick
For when you really want the room to get in their feelings.
“Lady Marmalade” by Christina Aguilera, Mya, Li’l Kim, and Pink
Who says you need four people?
“I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor
Beauty Commerce Editor
Nerisha is the beauty commerce editor at ELLE.com, covering all things beauty (and fashion and music).
Melanie Curry is an Editorial Assistant at Hearst Magazines, where she does a little bit of everything for all Hearst brands.
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