Podcast Summary

Podcast: All Of It

Host: Alison Stewart (WNYC)
Episode: What's the Best Karaoke Song? (Small Stakes, Big Opinions)
Date: March 6, 2026

Episode Overview

This light-hearted episode of All Of It dives into the world of karaoke, asking listeners and an expert guest the crucial question: What is the best karaoke song of all time, and why? As part of the "Small Stakes, Big Opinions" series, host Alison Stewart is joined by Andrew Unterberger, Digital Deputy Editor for Billboard, who helped put together the Billboard staff list of the 100 Best Karaoke Songs. The episode is brimming with fun anecdotes, personal favorites, passionate recommendations, and a detailed exploration of what makes certain songs shine in a karaoke setting.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

What Makes a Song a Great Karaoke Choice?

• Personal Connection & Knowledge
  Andrew Unterberger explains that karaoke is inherently personal. The best choices are the songs you know and love. Universal familiarity is a plus:

  "I think anything can be a good karaoke song if you both know it and love it." (03:20, B)

• Crowd Engagement
  Songs with widespread popularity and sing-along quality tend to work best, especially those everyone knows but perhaps hasn’t thought of recently.

• Simplicity & Catharsis
  Unterberger notes that simpler songs with a cathartic, singable chorus and/or fun vocal quirks often make for strong karaoke picks.

• Context Matters
  The right song depends on the crowd, the vibe, and the moment. Some songs only truly come alive in the karaoke room, e.g. "What's Up" by 4 Non Blondes.

Can a “Bad” Song Become a Karaoke Hit?

• Songs that are less impressive outside the karaoke context can become huge hits in the room due to their performative nature and crowd inclusivity.

  "There are some songs that only sort of exist and only sort of make sense within a karaoke context." (05:11, B)

Listener Favorites & Stories

A vibrant array of callers and texters share their go-to karaoke tracks (with some even singing a few lines):

• Joyce from Brooklyn: “A Little Respect” by Erasure. Huge in UK bars—everyone joins in! (06:49–07:39)
• James from Astoria: “Three Little Pigs” by Green Jello — the ultimate icebreaker. Embraces silly voices to loosen up the crowd. (07:53–08:30)
• Andrew from Staten Island: “Tequila” by The Champs — easy, recognizable, and drink-themed! (08:45–09:07)
• Steve from Bridgewater: “Paradise by the Dashboard Light” by Meat Loaf — stellar duet potential. (13:15–13:41)
• Jesse from Manhattan: Deep cuts and Japanese songs, plus “Birdhouse in Your Soul” by They Might Be Giants for English-language fun. (13:49–14:22)
• Bob from Brooklyn: “Friends in Low Places” by Garth Brooks — short, sweet, and universally loved. (16:26–16:47)
• Fernando in Manhattan: “Psycho Killer” by Talking Heads — funky, funny, and lets you show off your moves. (17:49–18:11)
• Mary from NJ: “Big Balls” by AC/DC, emphasizing theatrics and party vibes (and offering some practical karaoke rules). (18:22–19:02)
• Other listener suggestions: “I’m a Believer” by The Monkees, “Wanted Dead or Alive” by Bon Jovi, “Inside Out” by Eve 6, “Alone” by Heart, “Under Pressure” by David Bowie and Queen, “White Rabbit” by Jefferson Airplane, "Margaritaville" by Jimmy Buffett, and “With A Little Help From My Friends” by Joe Cocker.

Expert Criteria for Picking Karaoke Songs

• Know it and love it—the most vital ingredients.
• Room knows and loves it (or really hates it) is a bonus.
• Pick songs suited to your vocal range if singing skill is a concern (e.g., “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers or “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen).
• Don’t worry about perfection—passion trumps pitch.

"Actual karaoke skill, actual vocal skill is kind of overrated when it comes to karaoke. Passion and knowledge are way more important." (12:08, B)

Dramatic and Theatrical Karaoke

• Songs that invite acting, dramatics, and instrument mimicry are a hit with crowds (“I Can't Fight This Feeling Anymore,” “Love Shack”).
• Both solo showcases and group singalongs are important:
  • “I Will Survive” shines as a solo catharsis moment.
  • “I Want It That Way” is a perfect group anthem.

Unique Cultural Takes

• Hawaiian karaoke culture: Singing after work to celebrate togetherness.
• Karaoke as a “most human way to celebrate each other”: Singing for one another is bonding, especially in settings like Hawaii’s “pau hana” time. (22:54–23:38)

The Billboard Top 5 Karaoke Songs—Why They Work

1. "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!" – Shania Twain

   • Ultimate crowd pleaser, transcends gender, and irresistible energy. Universally beloved.

   • “Despite the obvious gendered nature of the song and its title…everyone loves singing along to this song. I've sung the song karaoke. It’s a great time.” (31:05, B)

2. "I Want It That Way" – Backstreet Boys

   • The group singalong anthem—unites the room, everyone knows the words, and the key change/bridge are iconic.

   • “You just kind of leave the microphone on the table and everyone kind of joins in.” (24:45, B)

3. "I Will Survive" – Gloria Gaynor

   • Solo powerhouse: instantly recognizable intro; cathartic, empowering chorus. Perfect for dramatic gestures!

   • “A good intro definitely gets you half the way there on its own. And certainly the intro to 'I Will Survive,' that's a great solo showcase.” (19:36, B)

4. "Bohemian Rhapsody" – Queen

   • A classic epic: complicated, theatrical, universally known, encourages group participation, and persistently popular since Wayne’s World.

   • "There isn't a person alive who doesn't know all of Bohemian Rhapsody…as can't miss a karaoke choice as I think exists." (15:30, B)

5. "Shallow" – Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper

   • Classic male-female duet; crowd loves the “big moment” near the end. Couples’ favorite.

   • “You really gotta commit to that…That's a really big, important part of it.” (11:29, A)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On why karaoke is fun:

  “I get itchy if I go too long without it.” (03:05, B)

• On Genie X karaoke picks:

  “The highlight of the night was a bunch of Gen Xers singing 'Killing in the Name' by Rage Against the Machine. It was like a primal scream…” (04:05, A)

• On the importance of context:

  "Wouldn't work in every context, but it worked in that one." (04:25, B)

• On karaoke confidence versus extroversion:

  “Some of the most extroverted people I know won't do karaoke.” (17:38, B)

• Hawaiian reflection:

  “The most human way to celebrate each other is singing to each other.” (23:38, C)

• On theatrics and crowd work:

  “Do a little ad libbing, maybe kind of do a little audience call and response…if you're just out there having a good time.” (20:55, B)

• On the power of passion:

  “Passion and the knowledge are way more important to a good karaoke experience.” (12:08, B)

Timestamps for Notable Segments

• 00:08: Episode kickoff, Alison’s favorite karaoke song ("No Scrubs" by TLC)
• 02:44–05:55: What makes a good karaoke song? (Andrew Unterberger)
• 06:42–11:08: Listener calls with best songs, early picks, live singing
• 09:41: Why “Shallow” works so well
• 12:08: Karaoke is about passion, not technical singing skill
• 15:30–19:10: Discussion of top picks (Queen, Garth Brooks, Janis Joplin, more)
• 19:22: The impact of a killer song intro for karaoke hits (“I Will Survive”)
• 21:31–23:38: More listener stories; unique karaoke cultures (Hawaii, Navy, etc.)
• 24:45: “I Want It That Way” – the ideal group karaoke song
• 28:56: The surprise #1—“Man! I Feel Like a Woman!”
• 31:21: Why this song works for everyone, regardless of gender

Final Thoughts

• Karaoke is a celebration of shared music, emotion, and community—the “most human way to celebrate each other.”
• The best karaoke songs blend personal meaning with singalong potential; commitment, theatrics, and joy matter more than vocal prowess.
• The episode closes with shouts to memorable karaoke moments, playful banter, and an open invitation for listeners to keep singing.

Recommended for: Music lovers, karaoke fans, and anyone who enjoys vibrant, personal reflections on pop culture and communal joy.