25 80s Songs Guaranteed to Help You Crush at Karaoke Night
Grab the mic and belt these ones out.
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The 1980s are remembered for many things. Apple’s first MacIntosh. Medical breakthroughs like the artificial heart and Prozac. Al Pacino saying the word “cock-a-roach.” But, perhaps its most lasting contribution to society is the sheer volume of kick-ass karaoke songs it produced.
From power ballads to rock anthems to upbeat pop ballads, songs from the 80s are undeniably among the best to get up on stage and belt out, whether flying solo or singing with others. Even if karaoke isn’t usually your jam, these classics can serve as a great icebreaker and open the door to the proven psychological and emotional benefits of attending these memorable nights out.
Here are 25 80s tracks that make it easy to slay at your next karaoke night. Of course, it could’ve been a much longer list, but I had to cut it off at some point. I’ll likely do a follow-up list (or several) down the line, so don’t forget to subscribe to this newsletter—it’s 100% free to access.
Before diving into the list, let’s take a moment to define the core components of a great karaoke song.
Qualities that Make a Song Great to Sing at Karaoke
Of all the exceptional 80s songs out there, not all are well-suited for karaoke. Especially if you’re nervous about singing, however well or poorly, in public, you’ll want to pick a track that gets the crowd on your side and lets you ride those good vibes all night.
In my experience, songs that are great for karaoke are all:
Catchy, iconic choruses: Songs with memorable choruses ensure audience members who don’t know all the words can easily jump in at specific points. The more crowd involvement, the easier karaoke becomes.
Emotional impact: This quality is extra important if your singing chops aren’t impressive (like mine). Being able to leverage the emotion in the song into a workable performance is critical. Paging all cheesy ballads!
Cultural cachet: If we’re honest, no one’s turning up for karaoke night to hear the obscure B-sides. People want to sing along with the hits, so at least some level of mainstream success or cult status helps.
Remember, the key to an excellent karaoke performance is choosing a song you love and can feel confident singing in front of friends or (gulp) complete strangers.
In alphabetical order, let’s dive in.
1. “Easy Lover” by Philip Bailey & Phil Collins
From the moment those iconic opening drums blast through the loudspeakers, this is an 80s song that will immediately get the audience hype. Besides the hearty bridge and chorus combo, you’ve got a killer guitar solo you can mime onstage or take the opportunity to do a quick shot.
Most fun lyrics to sing: “She's the kind of girl you dream of/Dream of keeping hold of/You'd better forget it/You'll never get it.”
2. “Every Breath You Take” by the Police
It’s hard to go wrong with this Police chart-topping ballad, which can bend to suit almost any style of vocal performance. It’s got enough of a groove to keep heads nodding throughout, and, let’s be honest, everyone loves singing this one. Robert Downey Jr. and Bruce Springsteen are just a few examples.
Most fun lyrics to sing: “Oh, can't you see/You belong to me/How my poor heart aches/With every step you take.”
3. “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor
In the words of Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky III opponent, I pity the fool who doesn’t enjoy belting out the lyrics to this one-hit-wonder. Just ensure you don’t overdo it with your Italian Stallion impression and accidentally punch a server miming your best right hook (that’s a true story).
Most fun lyrics to sing: “Rising up, back on the street/Did my time, took my chances.”
4. “Girls Just Want To Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper
One of the many singalong-ready jams off Cyndi Lauper’s terrific 1983 album She’s So Unusual, “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” is everything you can want in a karaoke song. Fun and upbeat, with catchy hooks and a chant-worthy refrain, this track is nostalgic perfection.
Most fun lyrics to sing: “When the workin' day is done/Oh, girls, they wanna have fun/Oh, girls just wanna have fun.”
5. “Heaven is a Place on Earth” by Belinda Carlisle
Is there a better opening chorus in the annals of 80s pop hits than this Belinda Carlisle hit? The soaring vocals on the recording are tailor-made for the karaoke stage, especially when the key change hits during the final minute. Easily one of the decade’s most memorable chart-toppers.
Most fun lyrics to sing: “In this world, we're just beginning/To understand the miracle of living/Baby, I was afraid before/But I'm not afraid anymore.”
6. “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” by Pat Benatar
Before it was co-opted by various sports franchises and their stadium playlists, this track was Pat Benatar’s first Top 10 hit on the Hot 100. With lyrics that gleefully take a hurtful ex down a few pegs, it’s ideal for anyone who wants to add a little middle-fingers-on-the-air energy to their karaoke set.
Most fun lyrics to sing: “That's okay, let's see how you do it/Put up your dukes, let's get down to it.”
Stream the song
7. “Hungry Eyes” by Eric Carmen
The Bill Medley-Jennifer Warnes duet off the Dirty Dancing soundtrack usually gets all the attention in a karaoke context, but that doesn’t mean singers should ignore this Eric Carmen classic. A brooding, lovesick song, it’s hard not to get swept up in the emotion here.
Most fun lyrics to sing: “I've been meaning to tell you/I've got this feeling that won't subside/I look at you and I fantasize.”
8. “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
If you’re looking for a karaoke song that will jumpstart some crowd involvement, look no further than Joan Jett’s most recognizable song. The “1-2-3” stomp-and-clap rhythm and slyly sexy chorus are so simple and instantly recognizable that they effortlessly take over the room in seconds.
Most fun lyrics to sing: “The beat was goin' strong/Playin' my favorite song/And I could tell it wouldn't be long/'Til he was with me, yeah, me.”
9. “I Want To Know What Love Is” by Foreigner
One of the 80s’ lasting music exports is the power ballad, and none of those soft rock staples hits you in the feels quite like this Foreigner hit. I’ve always wondered how conflicted Lou Gramm feels now, knowing the song he once disowned is now, by far and away, his most famous recording.
Most fun lyrics to sing: “In my life, there's been heartache and pain/I don't know if I can face it again/Can't stop now, I've traveled so far/To change this lonely life.”
10. “I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by The Proclaimers
I don’t know what it is about this song. Really and truly. It’s a mostly average song by a group that came and went pretty quickly in the 80s. Maybe because it’s so often the staple of playlists like this one, it’s stood the test of time as a top-drawer public singalong starter.
Most fun lyrics to sing: “When I wake up, well, I know I'm gonna be/I'm gonna be the man who wakes up next to you.”
11. “It Must Have Been Love” by Roxette
Featuring the late Marie Fredriksson on vocals, this timeless ballad is arguably the best record Roxette ever produced. Oddly enough, that didn’t make it an immediate hit on this side of the Atlantic. It wasn’t until that tiny indie film Pretty Woman came along that this track got the attention it deserved.
Most fun lyrics to sing: “Lay a whisper on my pillow/Leave the winter on the ground.”
12. “Jessie’s Girl” by Rick Springfield
Is this the most enjoyable song ever written about the worst kind of backstabbing friend? Rick Springfield ensures the traitorous lyrics roll effortlessly off any karaoke enthusiast’s tongue. The irresistable verve of the pop-rock instrumental seals the deal nicely.
Most fun lyrics to sing: “And she's watching him with those eyes/And she's lovin' him with that body/I just know it/And he's holding her in his arms late, late at night.”
13. “Just The Two Of Us” by Grover Washington Jr. and Bill Withers
One of the best karaoke performances I’ve ever seen was to this song. Sung by two men in their early 70s, they turned this R&B classic into a call-and-response duet with the packed bar crooning the entire way through. That anecdote earns Grover and Bill a spot on this list.
Most fun lyrics to sing: “I see the crystal raindrops fall/And the beauty of it all/Is when the sun comes shining through.”
14. “Like a Virgin” by Madonna
Karaoke night isn’t complete without at least one Madonna song (ideally, several more). While “Like a Virgin” isn’t my favorite 80s offering from the Material Girl, it’s undoubtedly the most fun to sing in this context. It’s so delightfully cheesy you can’t help but at least hum along to it.
Most fun lyrics to sing: “I made it through the wilderness/Somehow I made it through/Didn't know how lost I was until I found you.”
15. “My Prerogative” by Bobby Brown
The 80s were also the decade when hip-hop and new jack swing hit the mainstream, so it’s only fitting we roll both those styles into one pick here. Bobby Brown’s performance on this track is so full of swag and personality that you can coast on that alone to karaoke success if you want to.
Most fun lyrics to sing: “They say I'm crazy, I really don't care/That's my prerogative/They say I'm nasty, but I don't give a damn/Gettin' girls is how I live.”
16. “Never Gonna Give You Up” by Rick Astley
Do I really have to tell you how much fun this one is to sing in public? Name me a more iconic 80s chorus, opening drum fill, or flaming red pompadour. I’ll wait. Take your time.
Most fun lyrics to sing: “We're no strangers to love/You know the rules and so do I (do I).”
17. “Right Here Waiting” By Richard Marx
This massive adult contemporary hit—one that was certified platinum within four months (!) of its release—has endured as one of the decade’s great love songs. The only thing that would make this better on karaoke night? Rolling up with the feathered hairdo to match.
Most fun lyrics to sing: “Oh, can't you see it, baby/You've got me going crazy/Wherever you go, whatever you do/I will be right here waiting for you.”
18. “Summer of ‘69” by Bryan Adams
As a Canadian teenager who grew up on classic rock radio, I heard the hits off Reckless a lot. In particular, the go-to was “Summer of ‘69,” and it’s not hard to see why. It’s a driving, upbeat track that’s just as delightful to belt out on a stage as in a car with the windows down, barreling down the open road.
Most fun lyrics to sing: “I got my first real six-string/Bought it at the five and dime/Played it 'til my fingers bledWas the summer of '69.”
19. “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses
Fact: Heavy metal songs can also make great karaoke tracks if you give them a chance. As far as this genre’s crowdpleasers go, you could do much worse than this Guns N’ Roses cut. The most enjoyable parts to sing are Axel’s weird affectations, which may or may not be actual words.
Most fun lyrics to sing: “Woah-oh-woah/Sweet child of mine/Ooh-woah, oh-oh-oh/Sweet love of mine.”
20. “Super Freak” by Rick James
Funny. Quirky. Gleefully raunchy. All are words you could use to describe both an intoxicating night out and Rick James as a personality. Those Venn diagrams overlap on “Super Freak,” a bouncy romp sampled by everyone from Nicki Minaj to MC Hammer. You know they were singing along in the recording studio, too.
Most fun lyrics to sing: “She's a very kinky girl/The kind you don't take home to mother.”
21. “Take on Me” by a-ha
Best known for its glorious keyboard work, a-ha’s global hit “Take On Me” is no slouch in the karaoke department. Morten Harket’s dark, silky vocals are a nice counterpoint to higher register ranges highlighted on this list, allowing you to croon your heart out over the synthpop beat.
Most fun lyrics to sing: “I'll say it anyway/Today's another day to find you/Shying away/I'll be comin' for your love, okay?”
22. “Total Eclipse of the Heart” by Bonnie Tyler
Bonnie Tyler’s epic ballad is so well-known as a karaoke standard that it’s been used in countless TV and digital marketing campaigns over the years, including this one featuring coaches from The Voice. Is it cheesy? Immeasurably so. Does that mean you should sing it at karaoke? Hell yes.
Most fun lyrics to sing: “And I need you now tonight/And I need you more than ever/And if you only hold me tight/We'll be holding on forever.”
23. “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” by Wham!
A pop hit that throws it back to the 1950s and 60s sonically, there’s no better hit to sway and shimmy to than Wham’s “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go.” The insistent lyrics hit you like a warm summer breeze, floating above a groove that’s tighter than the shorts George Michael wears in the music video.
Most fun lyrics to sing: “You take the grey skies out of my way/You make the sun shine brighter than Doris Day/Turned a bright spark into a flame (Yeah, yeah)/My beats per minute never been the same.”
24. “What’s Love Got To Do With It” by Tina Turner
Time to tip our collective hats to the Queen of Rock and Roll by spotlighting her only No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 (single tear). With attitude and hooks to spare, the pulse behind the chorus makes it an absolute ball to sing at karaoke, even if you’re like me and can’t come close to matching Tina’s timbre.
Most fun lyrics to sing: “What's love got to do, got to do with it?/What's love but a second-hand emotion?”
25. “Your Love” by the Outfield
Let’s close with another one-hit wonder that’s recently enjoyed a comeback due to its pop culture meme-ability. Guitarist John Spinks handles the vocals here, leading some Beatles-esque harmonizing that adds a bubbly quality to decidedly lovelorn lyrics.
Most fun lyrics to sing: “Josie's on a vacation far away/Come around and talk it over/So many things that I wanna say/You know I like my girls a little bit older.”
Which karaoke song is your favorite? Which 80s classic should be on this list? Sound off in the comments!