As the holiday season approaches, there is bound to be at least one party where partiers have the great idea to start karaoke. As a self-proclaimed karaoke expert, I encourage people not to panic.
There is a song out there for everyone, and to assist with this, I have put together a list of the best songs to sing when the karaoke microphone comes out and the music starts playing.
Best Solo Song: “Valerie” by Amy Winehouse
You can not go wrong with an Amy Winehouse song of any kind, but “Valerie” is probably the most recognizable. It will have the party bopping their heads and, if you are lucky, they may even provide back-up vocals. There are so many versions of this song, but the Mark Ronson version is probably the safest choice.
Best Group Song to Scream With Your Friends: “Before He Cheats” by Carrie Underwood
This is a girls’ night out classic, but truly, it knows no gender. If you want the crowd pumped and full of energy, this is the way to go. There is genuinely no better joy than screaming these iconic lyrics with your friends, even if they are extremely unrelatable and have been since you first heard the song at five years old!
Best Duet Song: “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
A sweet, fun, and short song . . . How could it go wrong? This is both a general classic and a karaoke classic. This does require having a somewhat impressive voice, but no crazy singing skills are needed.
Best Song to Sing if You Want to Show Off: Anything by Whitney Houston or “The Sweet Escape” by Gwen Stefani
Both of these options require serious karaoke skills, but if you are choosing a Houston song or attempting the “rap” in “The Sweet Escape”, I am assuming you are prepared. Singing a song from Houston’s discography is sure to be a crowd pleaser, especially if you can hit every note. The options are endless, and it would be hard to find someone unfamiliar with her songs so you will have plenty of support.
As for “The Sweet Escape”, I personally believe that her fast-paced chorus is one of the most impressive things to recite.
Best Theatrical Moment: “The Wizard and I” from “Wicked”
Anyone can sing “Defying Gravity”, but it takes a true karaoke star to perform “The Wizard and I”. This song shows star quality, and it might even leave a few people emotional if you can hit that final note. Any version of this is terrific, but I prefer the Cynthia Erivo one.
I hope these suggestions serve you well this holiday party season. Happy karaoking!
–Dec. 8, 2025–
