[I think we're looking for the Venn diagram of "well-known," "not too wordy," and "has some interesting harmonies or high notes that people will want to attempt," I think.]
A few early suggestions:
- "You've Lost That Loving Feeling"
- "Lean On Me"
- "I Want It That Way"
- Most of the Grease soundtrack, but especially "You're the One That I Want"
- "Take On Me"
Easy: either "Don't Stop Believing" or "Living on a Prayer." And Erasure always makes me think of this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQN6hLBljdI
ReplyDeleteYes to "Don't Stop Believing" (my husband is of the belief that it should be the national anthem, because it's the one song everyone seems to agree on.)
ReplyDeleteI was once on a bus where a mass singalong of "Champagne Supernova" broke out, but I'm not sure that ever would've happened after 1997.
American Pie. If you put enough drunk people in a room . . .
ReplyDeleteThe Lion Sleeps Tonight.
ReplyDeleteLet it Be. Yesterday. All You Need is Love.
ReplyDeleteAll we are saying...
ReplyDeleteHey Jude.
ReplyDelete+5 to Griffyndor for the Bon Jovi, but is it true outside the Amtrak NE Corridor?
ReplyDeleteIn fact, Adam didn't carry over my specific suggestion of "Don't Stop Believing" but, also, I asked if Erasure is the UK's Journey for purposes of well-known and loved 1980s bands.
ReplyDeleteI think only if someone got the crowd all the way to the "Naa-naa-naa Naaaaas"
ReplyDeleteA certain former AUSA/current law firm partner I know who is a midwesterner born and raised can always, always, always be counted on to sing "Livin' on a Prayer" at every possible opportunity. And when she does it for karaoke in Chicago, every single person in the bar knows every word and sings with gusto. It is not just a NE thing.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I play music when kids are working on a project in my high school classroom and when Wagon Wheel by Darius Rucker comes on they all sing along without fail.
ReplyDeleteHow about this version? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkpNkBFUKMM
ReplyDelete"Lean On Me" has absolutely gotten me a crowd of people singing back and forth -- if I've got a bachelorette party in the tunnel I do "Eternal Flame" and all hell breaks loose.
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of a recent run-in I had with a small child who danced to my Fall Out Boy cover, then contributed her own rendition of "Let It Go" from Frozen. Knowing that you can't stop that train once it's left the station, I figured out what key she was in and backed her up through the end. The whole place went nuts, and she hid behind her dad's leg. Cutest thing ever!
Like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7f4Vv9ubKs
ReplyDeleteThe high school my kids attended/attend sing "Lean on Me" at the end of every school mass:
ReplyDeleteSweet Caroline
ReplyDeleteAt least along the BOS-WAS corridor, I suspect "Piano Man" would work pretty well.
ReplyDeleteSpontaneous singalong on a bus?
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Qn3tel9FWU
If you could actually find decent public transportation south of the Mason-Dixon Line, you could probably get a group singalong of Friends In Low Places (for an example, check out this Garth Brooks appearance at Justin Timberlake's Nashville concert Friday night) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMS22zSxrpA
ReplyDeleteI have karaoked (is that the past tense?) "Livin' on a Prayer" alongside Judge Sentelle, an FTC Commissioner, and an FCC Commissioner. True story.
ReplyDelete