by Josh Komon

Created on: October 22, 2009

The word, Karaoke, is rumored to mean: To sing out of tune. Not true, and yet, it is apt, as the best karaoke performances are not necessarily the most pleasing to the ear, rather, the most entertaining to watch. In order to be entertaining to watch, one must choose a song that is entertaining to perform. While we all may have our own personal favorites, the fact of the matter is, no one wants to hear some niche song that happens to be in the book. We all want to hear the hits, and we want to hear them murdered with full emotion. So, which songs are best?

"Billie Jean," by Michael Jackson. Just about any Michael Jackson song is bound to be a hit, but this one is one of the easier ones to replicate. While a bit more reserved than the likes of "Thriller," "Billie Jean" is a great starter song, sure to catch the crowd's attention.

You may be tempted to do a Guns N' Roses hit. You may also be tempted to try favorites, "Welcome To The Jungle," or, "Sweet Child O' Mine." However, you will be better off slowing things down with a little "Patience." Not everyone knows the lyrics at the beginning, but everyone knows the end. Expect lots of crowd participation with this one.

If you are determined to do hip-hop or rap, then please, do Young MC's "Bust A Move." Chances are, you will completely destroy any other attempt, to the point that it isn't actually funny or enjoyable. With "Bust A Move," you've got a chance.

"Don't Stop Believing," by Journey. This song is performed at least once every night in every Karaoke bar in the world. There is a very good reason for this. The song has everything. Cheesy music. Cheesy lyrics that we all know, (At least the chorus) and can't sing. It is uplifting and emotional. The solo is blissfully short. This is not a song for rookies, as only full commitment to the performance will be accepted by the crowd.

You will notice one thing all these songs have in common. All are from the eighties. Coincidence? I think not. The whole decade was full of the things that make karaoke great: Memorable music and lyrics, fun, and lots of cheese. Choose a song from this decade, and you will likely be making an excellent choice.

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