Time Out Ranks the 50 Best Karaoke Songs, Topping with Madonna's 'Like a Prayer'

Time Out has released a ranking of the 50 best karaoke songs ever made, with the top 10 detailed in a recent article. The list, updated regularly by Time Out's editors and contributors, spans genres and eras, from K-pop breakout hits to decades-old pop standards. The number one spot goes to Madonna's 1989 anthem 'Like a Prayer,' praised for its dramatic build and gospel-style finale. Other top entries include NSYNC's 'Bye Bye Bye' at number two, the Spice Girls' 'Wannabe' at three, Bon Jovi's 'It's My Life' at four, Frank Sinatra's 'My Way' at five, A-ha's 'Take On Me' at six, Whitney Houston's 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody' at seven, 'Golden' from the animated film K-Pop Demon Hunters at eight, the Backstreet Boys' 'I Want It That Way' at nine, and Rosé and Bruno Mars' 'APT' at ten. The article highlights the qualities that make each song effective in a karaoke setting, such as familiar choruses, group participation, and dramatic moments. Notably, 'APT' is a 2024 duet that has quickly crossed into karaoke culture, while 'Golden' is a recent film song that has gone viral on short-form video platforms. The list also includes commentary on the enduring appeal of songs like 'I Want It That Way,' whose lyrics are famously nonsensical but still euphoric, and 'My Way,' which requires vocal endurance and serves as a closing-time anthem in many bars.