Karaoke is a bucketload of fun. Whether you are doing your best to do a song justice, putting your spin on iconic lyrics, or having a good laugh with your friends at how horrible you sound! The 90s is filled with many memorable songs that are fantastic for a karaoke night.
In this list, we hand-pick a selection of songs from various genres that are all excellent choices for karaoke. You’ll find a gem to belt out from rock to pop and everything in between.
The Cranberries – Zombie
For most people, this song needs no introduction. This supremely epic alternative rock song from the Irish band The Cranberries was released in 1994 and one of the best songs of the 90s. Lead singer Dolores O’Riordan wanted to express her anger at the senseless death of two children during the Troubles.
It’s raw, powerful, and a blistering attack on the senses. It was a massive success and propelled The Cranberries into the international spotlight. Dolores’s unique vocal style is haunting and invokes a Celtic twang that is hard to replicate. But it is also so much fun to sing.
Aqua – Barbie Girl
If gritty alternative rock is not your cup of tea, let’s jump across to the absolute opposite with this sugary and fun track from Aqua. This song is catchy and beloved for its whimsical and slightly saucy undertones.
It was a massive success for the Danish-Norwegian group and is one of the best-selling singles of all time. The excellent back-and-forth lyrics are ideal for couples who want to have some silly fun on karaoke night. Life in plastic indeed seems fantastic.
Dr. Dre ft. Eminem – Forgot About Dre
Are you looking for a challenge? Then this West Coast hip-hop classic is a perfect choice. Combining slick rap segments from Dr. Dre and the unpredictability of Eminem. It allows you to enjoy getting into two different characters or possibly perform it with a buddy as a duo.
This is one of Dr. Dre most popular 90s songs and helped remind everyone of his illustrious history in the hip-hop scene. Plus, the freshness of Eminem’s aggressive lyrics was a breath of fresh air. Just remember to breathe between segments!
Nirvana – Smells Like Teen Spirit
Smells Like Teen Spirit from American rock band Nirvana is credited as sending grunge into the mainstream. A glorious anti-establishment anthem that went on to sell millions of copies and go down as one of the best alternative rock songs of all time.
From a karaoke perspective, it gives you the ability to mumble your way through a bunch of lyrics and then unleash some screaming. Very therapeutic. Plus, what other song lets you sing the words albino and mosquito in the same song?
No Doubt – Don’t Speak
Sticking to the alternative rock theme, this excellent track from No Doubt is the epitome of an alternative rock power ballad. It topped several charts worldwide, went double platinum in the US, and catapulted this Californian band to superstardom.
A fantastic and powerful track about breaking up. It also gives you ample opportunity to flex your singing talents. With catchy and memorable lyrics, it will always be a popular choice and deserves its spot on this list.
Snoop Dogg – Who Am I (What’s My Name)?
This G-Funk classic is one of Snoop Dogg’s most popular 90s songs. It’s laidback and offers up a slick and groovy bassline. The heavy use of the chorus also makes it an excellent option for people who want to minimize how much singing they want to do on karaoke night.
But fair warning, there are two versions of this song. A clean version and an explicit version. Choose carefully, and make sure you don’t end up offending someone with the explicit version of this iconic track from 1993.
Britney Spears – Baby One More Time
Towards the end of the 90s, this unforgettable song introduced the world to Britney Spears. It was a teen-pop mega hit and dominated the charts worldwide with 10 million copies sold. Arguably one of the greatest debut singles of all time.
This fun pop hit was initially rejected by several popular groups, including Backstreet Boys, TLC, and Five and in hindsight, was a perfect storm for Britney to establish herself. It’s also not overly taxing on your voice, making it an excellent choice for laid-back karaoke sessions.
Spice Girls – Wannabe
This debut single from the Spice Girls set the world on fire and dominated the charts. Everyone was falling in love with the girl power vibe of this pop group and its eclectic members from Japan to Australia, the UK, and America.
With a sweet message of placing friends over relationships, it’s a monster hit that is oh so fun to sing with your friends. With a range of different singing styles, it’s easy to find a section that will suit you. Zigazig-ah!
Mary J. Blige – Everything
One of the shining stars of the 90s, Mary J. Blige, was already up to her third studio album in 1997. As the third single from the album, Everything is a smooth jam that features heartwarming lyrics about that special person in your life.
It was a moderate success commercially. But it remains one of the best songs in Mary J. Blige’s career. The lyrical composition also offers lots of space for extra embellishment, making it a fun choice when you want to put your spin on a track at karaoke night.
Ricky Martin – Livin’ La Vida Loca
The late 90s saw an explosion of Latin artists hitting the mainstream with Latin-influenced music. The original pioneer is none other than Ricky Martin, who broke through in the US with his smash hit Livin’ La Vida Loca.
This energetic Latin pop song raced to the top of the charts across the globe and opened the door for Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, and Enrique Inglesias to invade the music mainstream. With bombastic musical elements and a tale of an evil seductress, it’s an excellent choice for a karaoke party.
Oasis – Wonderwall
Ever the rebels, this excellent track from English rock band Oasis is a staple you must add to your karaoke rotation. Released as the fourth single from their second studio album, it was a huge success selling 3.6 million copies in the UK alone.
Noel Gallager wrote the song as an ode to an imaginary friend who will come and save you from yourself. The iconic lyrics are easy to remember, and the slower pace makes it a safe choice when you are unsure what song to pick.
Natalie Imbruglia – Torn
In 1997 Australian songstress Natalie Imbruglia was about to hit the big time with her debut single, Torn. It went triple platinum in the UK and made it to number one in Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, and Spain.
Interestingly this was not an original song from Natalie Imbruglia. It was initially a Danish track translated to English, released by Ednaswap in 1995 and again in 1996 by American-Norwegian singer Trine Rein.
Christina Aguilera – Genie In A Bottle
Christina Aguilera has one of the most influential voices of the modern era, and the world got its first taste of her talent in 1999 with her debut teen-pop/dance-pop release Genie In a Bottle. The rest is history.
This fun track is laced with sexuality but equally empowering by focusing on treating women the right way. It was a breakout hit and hit number one in the US, selling 2 million copies and breaking into the top 10 in several other countries.
Robbie Williams – Angels
After parting ways with the band Take That, Robbie Williams forged a massive career as a solo artist. This song from his debut solo album is one of his most successful releases ever and established Robbie as an artist to watch.
It sold 2 million copies in the UK and reached number 4 on the charts. But internationally, it didn’t quite hit the same heights peaking at 53 on the Billboard charts. It’s an inspiring and emotional song filled with hope and powerful lyrics.
Boyz II Men – On Bended Knee
This massive hit from Boyz II Men, released in 1994, is a groovy and slow-tempo R&B song perfect for a group of guys wanting to perform a group karaoke performance or a solo singer wishing to stretch their vocal range.
It peaked at the number one position on the Billboard charts and is notable for knocking off their other single, I’ll Make Love To You, to take that spot. The apologetic lyrics of wanting an ex-lover to return make for an emotionally rich and dynamic song for your party.
Eagle-Eye Cherry – Save Tonight
In 1997 the Swedish rock musician Eagle-Eye Cherry burst onto the scene with his first single. Save Tonight performed well in the US, reaching number 5 on the Billboard charts and saw plenty of airtime on the radio.
With lyrics that can be universally applied to various situations, it’s a perfect choice to keep an excellent karaoke party going. While he did end up releasing more albums, nothing has quite lived up to the success of this signature track.
Backstreet Boys – All I Have To Give
Backstreet Boys is one of the biggest boy bands of all time. By the time All I Have To Give was released in early 1998, they had already established themselves as a force to be reckoned with and added another platinum certification to their list of accomplishments.
It’s a typical boy band track with a pop-centric style that also includes R&B and urban influences. Its lyrics highlight the lengths some people go to establish a relationship with the object of their desires. Perfect for a group performance but equally fantastic as a solo choice.
Seal – Kiss from a Rose
Henry Samuel, better known as Seal, has one of the most powerful voices you’ll ever hear. And this hit is one of his most iconic and recognizable releases. But it almost never came to be. He originally wrote the song in 1987 but was not proud of it and shelved it.
Finally, when working on his second album, it was dug up and given a refresh, thanks to producer Trevor Horn. The result is a powerful Rock/Soul ballad that ended up reaching number one on the US Billboard charts.
Have No Fear!
Karaoke is super popular. Not only is it a way to live out your rock star dreams it can lead to a night filled with joy, laughter, and embarrassment all rolled into one.
While it can be intimidating, karaoke offers a range of benefits, including improving memory, stimulating your brain, and relieving stress. So the next time you have a chance to join a karaoke night, don’t be shy. Leave your inhibitions at the door, and you’ll likely have the time of your life.
Watch The Full Playlist
The full playlist with every song in this post can be watched via the video below or directly on our YouTube channel.