Top 15 of Shout Aloud Songs

Some songs have a really strange effect on people. No matter where you hear them, they make you want to shout out loud, play air guitar, make really weird faces. When this happens at a party, they lead to bonding with total strangers and quite often to black-outs the next day. Here's a list of 15 songs that everybody knows (don't deny it, it really is natural behavior) that bring out the 'best' in us and where you're most likely to hear them. Mind you, this list has nothing to do with quality whatsoever, as you will notice. And there's a reason I named them 'Shout Alouds' and not 'Sing Alongs'....

Sunday Bloody Sunday (U2).

Probably one of the most famous protest songs ever. U2 recorded this in 1983, when nobody could have known that 20 years later, they'd be one of the most influential bands in history.

Wonderwall (Oasis).

Breakthrough song of the band whose first 2 albums just got voted number 1 and 2 on the top 100 of 'Best British Albums', before their big example The Beatles.

Purple Rain (Prince).

Not as much a 'Shout Aloud' as the other songs, but the 5 minute 'woo hoo hoo hoo'-ing at the end of the song still justifies this song a spot in this list. Beware: earplugs might be needed when listening to this in a big group.

Summer Of '69 (Bryan Adams).

Should this be a chart, this might arguably be on top of the list. Back from the days when Bryan Adams was still cool and made no-nonsense rock instead of sappy ballads. Everybody recognizes this song from the very first guitar strum. One of those songs that make people tell stories that start with 'Remember when....'

Paradise by the Dashboard Light (Meat Loaf).

Probably a huge hit on weddings and birthday parties for 30-somethings for the next 1000 years and one of the anthems of the 80's, although released in 1978. Makes men and women act really weird and act angry at each other until eventually they all end up shouting together. Has one of the highest 'Shout' ratings.

Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen).

Another anthem that makes people do unusual things with their voices. Especially the 'Galileo' part raises a few eyebrows here and there. Probably the weirdest lyrics in this list. After 'that' scene in 'Wayne's World', the singing now also comes with some excessive headbanging.

Total Eclipse of the Heart (Bonnie Tyler).

Except for Ellen Foley's part in 'Paradise...', the only female input in this list. Makes people all over the world 'turn around' repeatedly.

Livin' on a Prayer (Bon Jovi).

Although Bon Jovi became a huge commercial success afterward, they'll always be associated with this song from their first album. Typical song for the 80's where horrible hairdo's seemed to be enough to have a hit (see 'Europe' later in this list).

Sweet Child o' Mine (Guns 'n' Roses).

Again a song from a band's debut album. In 1987, Guns 'n' Roses conquered the world with 'Appetite for Destruction'. Axl Rose's high pitched voice and Slash's unique guitar playing were the perfect formula for success. Unfortunately, the success got to their head and rather than becoming the super group everybody predicted, they became some sort of a caricature of themselves.

Beat It (Michael Jackson).

Many people might not remember this, but there was a time when Michael Jackson made the news because of his music rather than his plastic surgery, chimps or hanging his baby from the balcony. 'Thriller', MJ's 1983 album eventually made it to 27 platinum records. This song still makes people grab their crotches, sing in squeaky voices and for some reason just wear one glove.

(You Gotta) Fight for your Right (Beastie Boys).

Ultimate party song. Tells kids that it's okay to rebel against parents and school and who am I to disagree with that. We do have the right to party.

The Final Countdown (Europe).

One of the better air-guitar songs. After ABBA, one of Sweden's best known bands, although they never managed to repeat the success of this song. Makes people shake their head a lot, especially if they've got long hair.

Life Is Life (Opus).

One-hit wonder and thankfully so. One of the most annoying songs in history, from the lyrics to the la la la's. But still a hit whenever there's a lot of beer involved.

Rebel Yell (Billy Idol).

Glam rocker Billy Idol is' besides for his songs, mostly known for the upper lip that seems to have a life of its own. Always works when there's a large group of people.

Enter Sandman (Metallica).

Only real metal song in the list. Nobody knows the lyrics, but once the chorus arrive, everybody goes 'Exit light, Enter night'. Weird phenomenon.

If you've got a party planned and things get a bit dead, just play any of these songs and before you know it, you'll need to make a trip to the liquor store.