You Love to Hate Them: the Best and Worst Songs of Karaoke

When you think of karaoke, there are usually a few songs in particular that top the list. Stereotypically, certain songs like "I Will Survive" recall thoughts of a karaoke bar with its drunken performers. While Gloria Gayner's hit song comes close, it does not make the top 10 of best karaoke songs. Here are many karaoke artists' top 10 songs to sing:

1. "The Rose" by Bette Midler
2. "You're Still the One" by Shania Twain
3. "Amazing Grace"
4. "Angel" by Sarah McLachlan
5. "Heaven" by Bryan Adams
6. "Happy Birthday"
7. "Hopelessly Devoted To You" by Olivia Newton-John
8. "I Believe I Can Fly" by R Kelly
9. "Yesterday" by The Beatles
10. "The Wind Beneath My Wings" by Bette Midler

These songs top the list because simply, they are big. Songs like these are inspirational and allow the singer to put everything they have into the lyrics. Songs like "I Believe I Can Fly" are uplifting and "You're Still the One" is a pure love song. They both require big voices which allows singers to feel the song and get wrapped up in it. "Happy Birthday" and "Amazing Grace" are songs everyone knows and they are just a joy to sing.

While songs can uplift the spirit and voice, there are some that can ruin any evening and should be banned from the karaoke scene, never to be sung by a hopeful again. Although these songs may be great, when you hear them enough at a karaoke bar, they can be ruined with the wrong singer and the many renditions done by those who think they can sing. Here is a list of the 10 worst karaoke songs ever, in no particular order:

1. "I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston
2. "Macarena"
3. "I Feel Like A Woman" by Shania Twain
4. "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" by Michael Bolton
5. "Oops I Did It Again" by Britney Spears
6. "My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dion
7. "My Humps" by The Black Eyed Peas
8. "New York, New York" by Frank Sinatra
9. "Red Neck Woman" by Gretchen Wilson
10. "American Pie" by Don Mclean

Where to begin? These songs have all been overplayed by the original artist, and now amateurs want a stab at it. The humanity in everyone would say to just put these songs to rest before someone gets hurt. While we all love Whitney Houston, pre-Bobby Brown of course, there are not too many who can sing the way she does. So let's just leave the big ballads to her, please. Now, about "Macarena"- enough said. Any song that requires the audience to participate in a song that seems to teach toddlers where their body parts are probably isn't a good choice. Britney Spears shouldn't have done it the first time, and neither should you.

All of these songs are great; some rather than others should be left to the professionals. Whatever your song choice, though, remember to have fun. But beware that if your song is on the latter list, don't be surprised if your audience is suddenly half its size.