A classic-rock radio staple, Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" is also a karaoke staple for its over-the-top drama. Clocking in at five minutes and 55 seconds, the song, about a man who kills a man and can't explain why, is great for karaoke because it has so many different parts and builds in intensity. The song in its entirety--featuring multiple vocal parts, harmonies and words like Beelzebub, Scaramouch and Bismillah--takes quite the talented singer to pull off. Along with its classic rock status, the song got a jolt in 1992 from its presence in the movie "Wayne's World." The protagonists head-banged during the song, something you can do to add to your performance.
According to Songfacts, Journey's 1981 hit "Don't Stop Believin'" was the first song to reach two million iTunes downloads and is one of the most popular karaoke songs of the 21st century. This might have to do with the song's tone, which could inspire an entire bar with its lyrics. The song is also a good choice because it has an uncommon structure, as the chorus doesn't even appear until the end of the song. This helps build intensity as people listening anticipate the ending.
"Paradise By the Dashboard Light," the super-long single from Meatloaf's mega-popular album "Bat Out of Hell" is a karaoke classic thanks to its campy lyrics, various musical movements and odd breakdown featuring a baseball play-by-play by former New York Yankees announcer Phil Rizzuto. If you plan to tackle this song, it might behoove you to have a partner to sing along with. The song tells the story of two teenagers debating whether or not to have premarital sex--the guy wants to and the girl wants to wait. You can really bring this song to life at karaoke with two people trading lead vocals.