80s Karaoke Songs: 41 Picks From Synth-Pop to Power Ballads

Every pick below came out between 1980 and 1989, rated Easy, Medium or Hard so you can match the song to your voice. Scan the table, then jump to the write-ups.

Big synths, bigger choruses. The songs that fill the dance floor at every 80s night.

• "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" — Cyndi Lauper — The whole bar sings the title with you, and the melody is bouncy and simple. Cyndi's yelps up top are the only stretch, and you can shout them. Grab your friends for the chorus.
• "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" — Wham! — Cheerful, bouncy and hard to get wrong. The range is modest and the hook repeats constantly. The crowd claps along from the first bar.
• "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)" — Whitney Houston — The dance floor fills the second the intro kicks in. The verses are easy, but the chorus climbs and the ad-libs at the end are pure Whitney. Singers with a strong upper range will own it.
• "Total Eclipse of the Heart" — Bonnie Tyler — Pure drama. The verses sit low and husky, then the chorus explodes. The crowd yells the famous call-backs for you, so commit to the theatrics.
• "Take On Me" — a-ha — The synth riff gets a cheer on its own. The verses are low, but the famous high note in the chorus is one of karaoke's great gambles. Nail it and you're a hero; miss it and the crowd loves you anyway.
• "Billie Jean" — Michael Jackson — That bassline is instantly recognizable. The melody sits in a mid-range groove, and the hiccups and ad-libs are where the fun is. Moonwalk optional.
• "Like a Virgin" — Madonna — Playful, cheeky and easy to sing. The range is narrow and the tempo is relaxed. Ham it up and the room is yours.
• "Don't You Want Me" — The Human League — A synth-pop breakup told from both sides, perfect for two singers. The melody is low and simple. The crowd shouts the chorus with you.

More pop from every decade: Pop Karaoke Songs.

Grooves that still pack the floor.

• "Celebration" — Kool & the Gang — The ultimate party song, and the crowd sings the chorus without being asked. The melody is simple and repetitive. Perfect for birthdays and weddings.
• "Super Freak" — Rick James — The riff is famous and the delivery is more talk than singing. It's all about swagger. The crowd shouts the title every time.
• "I'm Coming Out" — Diana Ross — A joyful anthem with horns that announce your arrival. The melody sits mid-range and the chorus is a big shout. Great for a birthday or a big night out.
• "Ain't Nobody" — Rufus & Chaka Khan — Chaka Khan's belt is the whole point, and it sits high. The synth groove keeps the floor moving while you go for it. For singers who want to show off.
• "Kiss" — Prince and the Revolution — Sparse and funky, sung almost entirely in falsetto. If your falsetto is solid, it's a showstopper. If not, commit to the attitude and the room still loves it.
• "Walk This Way" — Run-DMC feat. Aerosmith — The rock-meets-rap mashup that built a bridge. Split it between a rapper and a rock singer. The guitar riff gets an instant cheer.
• "Push It" — Salt-N-Pepa — The hook is a shout and the verses are short and punchy. Bring a friend and trade lines. Pure party energy.

More grooves: R&B Karaoke Songs.

Arena choruses, hair-metal anthems and the ballads everyone waves their phone to.

• "Livin' on a Prayer" — Bon Jovi — The crowd will scream the chorus for you. The last chorus jumps up a key, and that's where most people crack. Worth it every time.
• "Don't Stop Believin'" — Journey — The most requested karaoke song for a reason. The verses are comfortable, but Steve Perry's chorus sits high. The crowd carries you if you run out of notes.
• "Jessie's Girl" — Rick Springfield — A jealous-guy anthem with a riff everyone knows. The melody is mid-range and punchy. Short and all energy.
• "Pour Some Sugar on Me" — Def Leppard — The spoken intro gets a cheer, and the chorus is a group shout. The verses are more rhythm than melody. Great for rock crowds.
• "Sweet Child o' Mine" — Guns N' Roses — The riff gets the bar going. Axl's range is wide and high, and the long guitar solo gives you a breather. Only for strong upper voices.
• "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" — Poison — The gentlest of the hair-metal ballads. The range is comfortable and the chorus is easy to sway to. A lighter-waving moment without the high notes.
• "Summer of '69" — Bryan Adams — Nostalgic, uptempo and everyone knows the chorus. The gritty lines near the top are the only stretch. Rock out.
• "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" — Joan Jett & the Blackhearts — Low, punchy and made for shouting. The range is narrow, and the crowd claps the beat for you. A great first rock song for altos.
• "Africa" — Toto — The chorus is one of the biggest sing-alongs in karaoke. The verses are low and mumbly, the chorus climbs. The whole bar sings the title line.

Before the 90s boom, these filled the jukebox.

• "9 to 5" — Dolly Parton — Every office worker knows the chorus. It's fast, wordy and bright, but the range is modest. Perfect for work parties.
• "On the Road Again" — Willie Nelson — Short, sunny and simple. The melody barely moves and the crowd knows the title. An easy win.
• "Forever and Ever, Amen" — Randy Travis — Warm and low, in a comfortable baritone range. The crowd joins in on the chorus. Sweet for couples.
• "Elvira" — The Oak Ridge Boys — The nonsense-syllable bass hook is the whole joke, and the crowd loves it. Bring a friend with a deep voice. Simple and fun.
• "Swingin'" — John Anderson — Playful, easy and the chorus is irresistible. It's short and the range is narrow. The country crowd will sing along.

More: Best Country Karaoke Songs.

One huge hit each, and all of them still get the bar going.

• "Come On Eileen" — Dexys Midnight Runners — Starts slow, speeds up, and the whole bar joins in on the chorus. The tempo changes are the tricky part. Pure joy.
• "Tainted Love" — Soft Cell — Moody synth-pop with a narrow range. The drum hits are the crowd's cue to join in. Easy to sing, easy to dance to.
• "867-5309/Jenny" — Tommy Tutone — Everyone knows the phone number. The melody is simple rock and the chorus is a group shout. Easy win.
• "Mickey" — Toni Basil — The cheerleader chant intro gets the whole bar clapping. The melody is simple and the energy is everything. Pom-poms optional.
• "The Safety Dance" — Men Without Hats — The spelled-out chant is pure crowd participation. The melody is low and simple. Silly in the best way.
• "Walking on Sunshine" — Katrina and the Waves — Pure joy, and the room sings the title with you. The chorus belts a bit high, so bring energy. A great mood-lifter.
• "Don't Worry, Be Happy" — Bobby McFerrin — Laid-back, whistle-along and impossible to stress over. The range is narrow. Great for calming nerves.

The decade of the big soundtrack duet.

• "Islands in the Stream" — Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton — The friendliest duet in karaoke. Both parts sit in comfortable ranges and the chorus is pure fun. The room sings along.
• "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" — Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes — The Dirty Dancing finale, and everyone knows it. The low opening is easy, then it builds to a big finish. Lift optional.
• "Up Where We Belong" — Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes — A gravelly voice and a clear one trading lines. The chorus soars but isn't too high. A sincere, crowd-pleasing moment.
• "Say Say Say" — Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson — A bouncy duet for two guys. The parts trade quickly and the chorus is catchy. Fun with a friend.
• "Endless Love" — Diana Ross & Lionel Richie — The ultimate romantic duet. Both parts are gentle; the harmonies are the tricky bit. Play it earnest or for laughs.
• "Don't You Want Me" — The Human League — Listed again because it's built for two. Split the verses and shout the chorus together.

Full duet guide: Best Duet Karaoke Songs.

Next decade: 90s Karaoke Songs. Complete karaoke guide: Best Karaoke Songs.

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