Top 10 Classic Karaoke Songs

If you've ever gone to a karaoke bar, you've experienced song anxiety. What to pick? What are the popular ones that the bar will sing with and back you up? What songs will make people cringe with your caterwauling? Which will make them cheer? Well, bring this list with you and you'll never have song anxiety again.

10. Aretha Franklin - Chain of Fools : This song is easier to sing than most think, and with practice, it can be something that you can wow over any crowd with. It's also a fun song, and anything that has a spunky, spiteful undertone goes over well.

9. Gladys Knight - I Will Survive : Only for those confident in their lung capacity and singing abilities, this one is a guaranteed hit if performed correctly. It has the drama of the quiet intro (the chilling little piano notes that everyone instantly recognizes) and some great background music to go with it. And when a woman can sing something that is sassy like that, she's sure to get the crowd to notice.

8. Eurythmics - Sweet Dreams : This is a surprisingly addictive and simple song to sing, and will be recognized by anyone alive in the eighties. It's also in a friendly vocal range. For even more fun, request Marilyn Manson's version. Just be sure to make it a little flirty or it could end up a little dull.

7. David Bowie - Rebel Yell : This is a high-energy popular favorite. The chorus is easy to remember and it's a fast paced song that's over pretty quickly. It's a good formula for something that's really hard to mess up.

6.BonnieTyler - Total Eclipse of the Heart : This is a classic for the ladies all around. It's pretty easy to sing, and offers the intrepid duo the opportunity for harmony should they be so talented. Its well known, and you'll have every woman in the audience singing with you on it. Not to mention the differences in pitch and volume in the song make it fun to sing and listen to.

5. Alannah Myles - Black Velvet :Though black velvet as a fashion statement died long ago, this song hasn't died out as a popular karaoke favorite. For non-soprano range women, this can be a sultry/sexy song that's easy to belt out and gives a few measure breaks for some hip-swinging.

4. Foundations- Build Me Up, Buttercup : This song can come across as tender and cute, it's a great one for a single guy to try and attract some attention from women at the bar. It shows a sensitive side along with your singing prowess (and its even in an easy key so it's hard to get off key).

3. Journey - Don't Stop Belivin' : Tunes from the eighties often make good karaoke because they're simple and fun. This one is both, and can be belted out pretty loudly. It'll be recognizable for the whole crowd, too, and it's a great feel good song (especially if someone just sang something like Desperado).

2. Neil Diamond - Sweet Caroline: Simple, easy to remember, and with fun (either G rated or R rated) audience callbacks. I've never seen this one go over poorly, even when someone was just yelling it into the mic, it is one of those drunk-friendly songs that'll have the guys holding up their beers in honor of your singing.

1. Billy Joel - Piano Man: This song has it all. A rising crescendo, easy to hit range, easy to remember lyrics are what makes this a karaoke classic. What makes it even better is that it is highly recognizable, it was written to be a bar song, and it has the added benefit that most people can at least mumble the chorus at the top of their lungs to support you while you have the mic. Additionally, it may be one of the only songs that has the added benefit of sounding slightly better if you've already tossed back a few drinks, instead of worse.

And, as a bonus, here are three songs you should never, ever sing at a karaoke bar:

1. Don Mclean - American Pie : Yes, everyone loves this song, and they probably played it loud while cruising down the highway in their hot rods. But it is a much longer song than anyone remembers, and the lyrics are dizzyingly complicated and quick. Unless you want to end up a panting, mumbling mess, stay away. Some bars even have a "no American Pie" policy because of the song's length alone.

2. Eagles - Desperado : Though some karaoke bars feature a mix of ballads and upbeat songs, most people go to karaoke to have a good time, laugh, and dance. So bringing out a sad crooner song like this is an instant mood killer. Not to mention that it requires some serious lungs, and being slightly off key ruins an already sensitive song. Resist the temptation if you get sad while drunk to ever request this one to sing. I've seen a train wreck singing Desperado, and believe me, it isn't pretty.

3. Lynrd Skynard - Sweet HomeAlabama : People always balk when I say this is a terrible karaoke song. They say its fun and everyone likes it. But if you ever actually attempt to sing it, you'll soon realize your mistake. First, no one knows the lyrics of the actual verses, so they always falter until they get to the chorus. Secondly, the chorus is very redundant, and you'll get weary by the eighth time that you say "sweet home Alabama...."