15 Under-The-Radar Songs That Work Well For Karaoke Nights

You know that split second when your name gets called, the mic hits your hand, and it’s officially your time to shine.

This is your cue to skip the overplayed ballads and drop a song that makes the whole karaoke spot scream, point, and rush the stage like you just unlocked a bonus round.

We’re talking surprise bangers, instant crowd choirs, and that electric “OH THIS IS MY JAM” chaos. Nail one of these picks and you’re not just doing karaoke – you’re owning the room, earning encore chants, and walking back to your seat like a certified legend.

Note: Song and artist information reflects widely documented release credits available at the time of writing, but karaoke availability, venue policies, and audience preferences can vary by location. Selections reflect a subjective mix.

15. California Gurls – Katy Perry (Feat. Snoop Dogg)

Pure summer fun comes wrapped in a candy-colored package. Beach-ball energy keeps the beat bouncing, while a dangerously catchy melody refuses to leave your head.

Pop queen Katy Perry crafted an anthem for good times, and singing it instantly lifts the mood of any room, especially for devoted KatyCats.

Playful verses lead into a massive chorus, while Snoop Dogg slides in with a laid-back rap break that lets everyone catch a breath. Crowds recognize it within seconds and usually start dancing before the first chorus even hits, which means victory is already yours.

14. Singing In My Sleep – Semisonic

Most people remember “Closing Time,” but this deeper cut deserves its moment under the spotlight.

The melody floats along like a daydream, easy enough to follow but interesting enough to keep listeners leaning in. Your voice gets to ride a wave that never crashes too hard or fades too soft.

Perfect for that moment when the night is winding down but nobody wants to leave yet. The lyrics feel like a secret you are sharing with the room, and the chorus lands without demanding vocal gymnastics.

13. The Luckiest – Ben Folds

Picture a piano ballad that wraps around you like a warm blanket on a cold night.

Tender songwriting from Ben Folds shines here, showing off a softer side without slipping into anything overly sweet. Verses build at an unhurried pace, leaving space to breathe and connect with every word.

When the chorus finally arrives, the moment feels earned rather than forced, like the natural payoff to a story people actually want to hear.

Best results happen once the crowd has settled into their seats and the room quiets to a low, attentive hum.

12. Bubbly – Colbie Caillat

Sunshine in song form. The guitar strums along like waves lapping at the shore, and the melody practically skips through the verses.

Your delivery can stay light and breezy, no pressure to hit stratospheric notes or belt like your life depends on it.

Everyone in the room will recognize the vibe even if they cannot quite place the title. The chorus invites gentle swaying and maybe a few smiles from people remembering their own bubbly moments, making it a crowd-pleaser that never feels overdone.

11. Lovefool – The Cardigans

Playful energy keeps this Swedish gem bouncing from start to finish. Verses offer a chance to show off personality, while a chorus practically begs the audience to sing along.

Catchy melody sticks in your head like bubblegum on a sneaker, in the best possible way. Bit of sass mixes with a touch of sweetness, letting you channel both at once.

Upbeat tempo keeps everything moving, so no awkward dead air leaves you wondering what comes next.

10. Linger – The Cranberries

Distinctive vocals from Dolores O’Riordan make the original track unforgettable, and covering it lets you tap into something raw and real. Verses begin softly, almost like a whisper traveling across the room.

Gradual swell in the chorus gives you room to open up without having to push your voice to the limit.

Emotional shifts keep the performance engaging, and audiences tend to appreciate the ride. Few karaoke picks make people lower their phones and truly listen, which is exactly the kind of moment that creates a genuine connection.

9. Back In Your Head – Tegan And Sara

Indie pop with teeth. The beat drives forward like a car speeding down an empty highway at midnight, and the melody hooks you from the first line.

Tegan and Sara wrote something catchy but not cutesy, edgy but not abrasive.

Your voice gets to ride that perfect middle ground where you sound confident without trying too hard. The lyrics have enough bite to keep things interesting, and the tempo means you will not lose the crowd halfway through.

It is a sleeper hit that wakes people up in all the right ways.

8. Call Your Girlfriend – Robyn

Electronic beats pulse underneath a melody that feels both futuristic and familiar.

Robyn created something you can dance to while still delivering real emotion, which is harder than it sounds. The verses give you space to build anticipation, and the chorus hits like a disco ball dropping from the ceiling.

You do not need to be a professional dancer to move along with this one, just let the rhythm guide you. The crowd will appreciate the unexpected choice, and you will appreciate how the song does half the work for you with its infectious energy.

7. Turn Off The Light – Nelly Furtado

Early in her career, Nelly Furtado delivered a quirky, hypnotic track that still sounds fresh today.

Unexpected turns in the melody keep both you and the audience alert from start to finish. Laid-back groove in the rhythm makes it easy to settle into your pocket and stay there.

Interesting phrasing gives your voice room to explore without demanding impossible notes.

Cool, effortless vibe comes through naturally, like showing up to a party in jeans and somehow outshining everyone in formal wear.

6. Where Have All The Cowboys Gone? – Paula Cole

Storytelling drives this track, and committing to that narrative makes karaoke moments shine. Verses unfold like a conversation over coffee, giving plenty of room to add personality with every line.

Gradual rise in the chorus brings an anthemic feel without demanding glass-shattering high notes.

Winking humor in the lyrics clicks with audiences, while the melody stays memorable without growing too complex. Nostalgic tone gets people nodding along and thinking about their own version of the good old days.

5. New Soul – Yael Naim

Quirky piano chords introduce this gem before it blossoms into something genuinely delightful. Original vocals from Yael Naim feel like stumbling upon a secret garden, and covering it lets you recreate a bit of that magic.

Innocent charm carries the melody forward with a bounce that never tips into anything childish.

Light, playful tones suit your voice here, matching the song’s curious and wide-eyed energy. Smiles tend to spread across the room for reasons people cannot quite explain, making it perfect for moments when the night calls for whimsy and heart.

4. Suddenly I See – KT Tunstall

This anthem starts strong and never lets up, giving you a chance to bring real energy from the first note. The guitar riff drives everything forward like a train that refuses to slow down.

KT Tunstall wrote something powerful here, and the chorus demands you sing it like you mean it.

The verses give you a breather before ramping back up, so you are not gasping for air by the end. The crowd will feed off your energy, and by the final chorus, you might have the whole room singing along with you.

3. Put Your Records On – Corinne Bailey Rae

Smooth as honey and twice as sweet.

Melody glides along like a Sunday afternoon with nowhere to be and nothing to prove.

Effortless charm defines what Corinne Bailey Rae created here, making it a great karaoke pick when you want to sound good without pushing your voice too hard.

Celebration of being yourself runs through the lyrics, and that message lands warmly in a room full of people taking turns on stage. Relaxed tempo keeps the mood easygoing, while the chorus invites soft harmonies if friends feel like joining in.

2. Criminal – Fiona Apple

Smoky, jazzy, and packed with attitude, this track lets you channel your inner lounge singer. Fiona Apple’s original vocal delivery is iconic, and you get to play in that same sandbox.

The verses slink along with a confidence that comes from knowing exactly who you are.

The chorus builds without exploding, keeping everything controlled and cool. Your voice can stay low and smooth, which is a nice change from the belt-it-out anthems that dominate most karaoke nights.

The audience will appreciate the mood shift and the chance to hear something a little daring.

1. Stay (I Missed You) – Lisa Loeb

Signature glasses and an unforgettable chorus turned Lisa Loeb into a household name, and the song still holds up beautifully.

Conversational flow in the melody makes it feel like you are sharing a secret with the room. Naturally moving verses lead into a chorus that sticks in your head for days.

Interesting melodic turns give your voice room to play without demanding operatic range.

Fond memories tend to surface in the crowd, and the smart construction helps you sound great because the tune almost sings itself.