“Classic Rock” Songs and “Karaoke” go together like love and marriage or peanut butter and jelly.
“Classic Rock” Music was born in the late 1940’s but it wasn’t until the 1980’s that it started evolving. It was played mostly on Radio Stations and by 1986 it became a house hold name.
Most “Classic Rock” Songs are usually loud and guitar driven. They can be enjoyed live and in person. They are authentic, self expressive and tells a story about our everyday life, describing feelings and shared experiences that are relatable. It may have started during the era of the “Boomers” but now “Classic Rock” songs have lovers all over the globe and age is no exception. Even teenagers are streaming platforms and internet sources looking for “Classic Rock” Songs.
It is 2021 and “Classic Rock” is still rocking, still influential and still has the power to get your heart racing and your blood pumping.
In the late 80’s my favorite Classic Rock Group was Bon Jovi you could tell by just looking at my sneakers. The name was written all over them.
So, what is Karaoke?
In just one word- “fun.” Karaoke first became popular in Japan in 1971 and later in other parts of the world. Karaoke is fun and entertaining. It is a form of entertainment where you sing over pre recorded tracks using a microphone while reading the words on a video screen. Karaoke soothes your mind and relieves anxiety.
You can enjoy Karaoke in a bar or in a club where you can let loose and just sing. Having no hang ups, feeling no shame, and no care at all. Thinking of nothing but singing the next line. And no one will care if you sound good or bad so you just feel the vibes keep it alive and take a chance to become a “Classic Rock” rock star.
“Classic Rock” Songs and Karaoke
So imagine paring your favorite Classic Rock songs with Karaoke? It’s like glory on a Sunday Morning on a yacht going to the Caribbean with all expenses paid. It’s like love and marriage and peanut butter and jelly.
It’s a perfect masterpiece. My sister is a “Classic Rock” karaoke fanatic. You give her a mike and she will drop it like it’s hot.
List of 20 Classic Rock Songs for Karaoke
Of course, every karaoke lover has their favorite song to sing on karaoke night and the most popular genre is “Classic Rock”. Hundreds of beautiful songs from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s which have never stopped gracing karaoke bars and clubs.
Here is a compilation of 20 of the best “Classic Rock” karaoke songs that karaoke fans can’t wait to sing.
Related: 55 karaoke songs for women with low/alto voices
1. “Livin on a Prayer” – Bon Jovi
A Super hero since the 80’s with songs like “Livin on a Prayer” a triple platinum hit. When this song hits the karaoke machine everyone goes on fire. There is something about this song that makes you feel like you are invincible, on fire and lining on a prayer. You can find it in almost every karaoke bar you go to.
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2. “One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer” – George Thorogood
This song tells the story of a depressed man who lost his job, his lady, and owed rent to his landlady and got kicked out. So he went to the bar to drown his sorrows in alcohol. Anyone who has suffered lost can relate.
Related List: Best Country Karaoke Songs for Women
3. “You Shook Me All Night Long” – AC/DC
This song is about a man who met an athletic, American woman with strong legs who made him feel really good. It makes a lot of reference to having sex and having it again. Song is quite interesting and certainly will boost your libido.
4. “Jump” – Van Halen
This song will literally lift you off your feet and have you jumping as though you ran past Usain Bolt {Never} jolted with happiness and pride. But it is really about confronting yourself, facing your fears and facing life head on.
5. “Don’t Stop Believing” – Journey
Life gets lonely at times and no matter your background or how well off you are, you may find yourself on a midnight train not knowing where you are going but you can still believe that it can get better as long as you keep believing. This song will inspire anyone to keep on believing.
Related List: 30 More Upbeat Karaoke Songs
6. “Jessie’s Girl” – Rick Springfield
This song tells the story of a friend who wishes he could have his friend’s girl because he can’t seem to find a girl as amazing as she is. It is not the most upbeat, but it will get you going on the stage when you sing the chorus.
7. “Free Falling”-Tom Petty
This song is about feeling sorry for loving a good girl and then leaving her. It takes you on a high and then a low but it allows you to fall into the words and still feel safe enough to let go and freely voice your best on karaoke nights.
8. “Bohemian Rhapsody” – Queen
So, if you think you may have stage freight and you are feeling afraid to sing alone, no worries this song can be sung with a few friends so gather two or more to join you on stage and relieve your stage freight.
Related List: Best Queen Karaoke Songs
9. ”Rock and Roll all Night” – KISS
Rock and Roll all Night is a famous one and for almost 40 years this has been the close out song for all of KISS’s concerts. So, rock all night do a little rolling and party every day. It’s about enjoying each moment and having fun doing it.
10. ”I Want You to Want Me” – Cheap Tricks
This song touches on having deep feelings for someone. Most of us can relate. The guy wants a girl to love him with the intense passion that he loves her with. He wants her to truly want him. And because she was crying he also thought she could use a friend.
11. “Old Time Rock and Roll” – Bob Seger
This song is not only easy to learn, but it is iconic and fits perfectly with anyone even if it’s your first time karaoke-ing. It is high energy and it just makes you feel bold as though you can handle anything.
12. “Sympathy for the Devil” – The Rolling Stones
The ‘Stones’ is historical when it comes to Classic Rock. If you have never heard of the Rolling Stones you are yet to be born. Sympathy sits on the top 5 best “Classic Rock” songs. It’s about knowing who you are and making the decision to either be good or evil.
13. “Purple Haze” – Jimi Hendrix
Rolling Stones named him the best guitar player in history. This song is about Jimi being in a dream and walking under water when a purple haze engulfed him and he got lost in the dream. He said his faith in Jesus saved him. For years I thought the lyric “‘scuse me while I kiss the sky” was actually “‘scuse me while I kiss this guy.”
Related List: Best Hard Rock Karaoke Songs
14. “American Woman” – Lenny Kravitz
Kravitz resurrected this song. It is a little controversial, but karaoke lovers love to get down with it. They especially welcome Kravitz‘s version. It is upbeat and catchy and always a good choice.
15. “Going to California” – Led Zeppelin
Yes, Led Zeppelin redefined music throughout the 70’s. This song is easy, soft and slow. It talks about going to beautiful California to find the perfect girl for him because the one he has broken his heart. It lends meaning to being hopeful and optimistic.
16. “Rocking in the Free World” – Neil Young
This song is about freedom for all people, focuses on homelessness and poverty in America. It talks about the country putting other things ahead rather than helping its distressed citizens. So it would really touch hearts and open eyes.
17. “Under Pressure” – David Bowie and Queen
Dubbed as one of Bowie and Queens best song many agree that it is one of the greatest songs of all time. In 2021 it was on Rolling Stones list of 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. This song is about how the pressures of life can be destructible and understanding that love is the only answer.
Related List: Best Beatles Karaoke Songs
18. “Funk #49” – James Gang
Funk #49 is about a wild and untamable girl. Sleeps all day and goes out every night and it’s saying if she doesn’t stop she was going to get in trouble. This song will let you think of who you are and what you represent.
19. “Sweet Child of Mine” – Guns n’ Roses
This piece was written about a love interest and the author’s admiration of how this person looks and walks. He is smitten with her entire appearance and desperately wants to be with her. It’s very catchy and perfect to sing to your love interest.
20. “Sweet Home Alabama” – Lynyrd Skynyrd“
And what would karaoke night be if Sweet Home Alabama wasn’t on the list. It is an anti-racist song that is full of adrenaline and high energy. It gets you thinking of home, peace and stability every time.
Conclusion
“Classic Rock” Karaoke songs are here to stay. They are not fading. It’s like a tradition, like going to church on Sundays. Like love and marriage and peanut butter and jelly. So find your favorite karaoke bar or club, knock your shy out-grab your mental guitar and get on that stage. Forget if you are good or bad, or if you sound like a tongue-less parakeet. Just feel the music, sing your heart out and keep in mind-with karaoke there is absolutely no shame so just enjoy your 15 minutes of “Classic Rock” Karaoke fame.
