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Karaoke is one of those self-indulgent guilty pleasures that always manages to be both beautiful and horrendous at the same time. We, of course, love it. It’s fun. It’s social. It feeds our delusions of rock-star grandeur. And no matter what, even if you totally blow it, someone always sucks worse than you or does a non-ironic Creed cover.
Below, then, is a list of the Paste staff’s favorite karaoke crowd-pleasers, songs outside of the usual “Love Shack”/“Don’t Stop Believin’”/“Livin’ On A Prayer” oeuvre.
Obviously, we can’t guarantee that these songs will have a 100 percent success rate. For a karaoke number to be particularly effective, you have to know the bar (Is the song in frequent rotation there? What’s the vibe like?), the crowd (Median age? Tastes? Average level of intoxication?) and, most of all, yourself (For instance, if you have a beautiful, velvety, Barry White-evoking bass after a few too many PBRs, you probably shouldn’t be attempting a Queen cover).
In addition to our suggestions, you will also find videos of the karaoke versions of all these songs, so you too can round up some buddies and have a party in your own home. And if you have any suggestions we may have missed (there are only 12 songs here, after all), feel free to share your own karaoke success stories or offer some more songs in the proper place below.
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Not enough can be said about how necessary it is to go on stage with the appropriate level of energy. A good show will top poor singing any day.
This is good list. My personal go-to have always been "Play That Funky Music", always done in the most over-the-top way possible.
Karaoke will always be fun in the right settings. My friend and I always fall back on "What's Up?" by 4 Non Blondes, but I might have to suggest we work "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" into the rotation. Good times.
I have to admit I am very pleased that "Sweet Caroline" did not make this list! I am so sick of hearing it Every. Single. Time there is karaoke. My personal favorites (aka drunken go-tos) have become "Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves" by Cher, "Rebel Rebel" by David Bowie or on a rare occasion, if the DJ catalog supply permits, "Pints of Guinness Make You Strong" By Against Me!
Thank you for provide me with so good information, that is just what I want. Good luck to you.
Good post, you really took your time to put it together.
The only thing I can say, is KILL the photo of the OLD SCHOOL karaoke machine! It is easily replaced with Karaoke Software, like you can get here:
www.ariaparty.com
the best thing about it, is there is a built in karaoke song store to buy REAL karaoke. But you can even use the VJ or video mixing mode, to mix karaoke videos you download from YouTube, like you have featured here.
Check it out! There blog ain't to shabby either.