Why these songs work
The best first karaoke song is one you already know by heart, that sits in a comfortable range and doesn't hang on long high notes. Every song below fits at least two of those: most stay within about an octave, move at a talking pace and have choruses the whole room will sing along to, so you're never alone on the mic.
Tips for your first song: pick something you've sung in the car, hold the mic (or phone) close, and sing the verse a little quieter than you think so the chorus can lift. If a song feels too high, most karaoke videos on YouTube come in several keys: search the title with "lower key" and choose that one.
The list
Tap 🎤 Sing this to open a free room and search for that song on your phone, ready to add to the queue.
- Stand by MeBen E. King🎤 Sing thisSlow, low and only a handful of notes. The classic safe pick.
- Count on MeBruno Mars🎤 Sing thisGentle ukulele tempo and a narrow range; friendly for any voice.
- Leaving on a Jet PlaneJohn Denver🎤 Sing thisConversational melody; the chorus practically sings itself.
- Take Me Home, Country RoadsJohn Denver🎤 Sing thisEveryone joins the chorus, which takes the pressure off.
- Brown Eyed GirlVan Morrison🎤 Sing thisUpbeat but easy; the "sha la la" part is a guaranteed sing-along.
- Sweet CarolineNeil Diamond🎤 Sing thisLow verses, and the crowd shouts "bah bah bah" for you.
- Let It BeThe Beatles🎤 Sing thisSlow, repetitive and comfortable for most voices.
- Yellow SubmarineThe Beatles🎤 Sing thisAlmost spoken range. Perfect for absolute beginners.
- Twist and ShoutThe Beatles🎤 Sing thisShort lines and call-and-response; just have fun with it.
- Love Me DoThe Beatles🎤 Sing thisVery few words and notes; great for warming up.
- Ring of FireJohnny Cash🎤 Sing thisLow and steady. Ideal if you have a deeper voice.
- I'm YoursJason Mraz🎤 Sing thisRelaxed groove; you can half-speak the fast parts.
- Hey, Soul SisterTrain🎤 Sing thisBouncy, mid-range and very familiar.
- RiptideVance Joy🎤 Sing thisSmall range and a simple strummed rhythm.
- Ho HeyThe Lumineers🎤 Sing thisShouted "Ho! Hey!" hooks make it a group song.
- Wagon WheelDarius Rucker🎤 Sing thisEasy country melody with a chorus people know.
- Achy Breaky HeartBilly Ray Cyrus🎤 Sing thisRepetitive, low-pressure and silly in a good way.
- HappyPharrell Williams🎤 Sing thisMostly mid-range; clap along and the room helps.
- Shake It OffTaylor Swift🎤 Sing thisRhythmic, talk-sing verses and a simple chorus.
- ImagineJohn Lennon🎤 Sing thisSlow and soft; good for a calm, confident first try.
- You're So VainCarly Simon🎤 Sing thisSpeech-like verses and a famous chorus.
- These Boots Are Made for Walkin'Nancy Sinatra🎤 Sing thisLow, sassy and only a few notes.
- Born to Be WildSteppenwolf🎤 Sing thisShout it more than sing it. Easy energy.
- WonderwallOasis🎤 Sing thisNarrow range; the whole room knows every word.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest karaoke song to sing?
Songs with a small range and a talking-pace melody are easiest: "Stand by Me", "Yellow Submarine", "Love Me Do" and "Ring of Fire" are good examples. Pick one you already know by heart.
What if a song is too high for me?
Search the song title plus "lower key" or "male key"/"female key" in the app. Many karaoke channels upload the same song in several keys, so you can pick one that suits your voice.
How do I get over nerves before my first karaoke song?
Choose a group sing-along like "Sweet Caroline" or "Country Roads" so the room sings with you, or start with a duet. Singing a little quieter on the verse and louder on the chorus also helps.
Can I practise karaoke at home for free?
Yes. Open Encoreverse in a browser, choose solo, and sing on your phone, tablet or laptop. There is no app or sign-up, and you can turn on the beta voice score to see how in tune you were.
Ready to sing?
Create a free room on your TV. Guests scan the QR code and queue songs from their phones. No app, no sign-up.