Every karaoke bash should have a little (or a lot) of country music.
There’s something intoxicating about many of these country songs, and the messages about valuing the important things in life (love, family, friendship, and a cold beer) are spot on for a great night of revelry (and a great life, to be honest).
So without further ado, here are the best country karaoke songs to try next time you’re handed the mic. Go on, raise the roof with ’em!
Contents
- Chicken Fried – Zac Brown Band
- Wagon Wheel – Darius Rucker
- Tennessee Whiskey – Chris Stapleton
- It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere – Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett
- That Don’t Impress Me Much – Shania Twain
- No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problem – Kenny Chesney
- Cowboy, Take Me Away – Dixie Chicks
- Down at Lah De Dah – Jimmy Buffett
- Before He Cheats – Carrie Underwood
- Chatahoochee – Alan Jackson
- All My Ex’s Live in Texas – George Strait
- Jolene – Dolly Parton
- Friends in Low Places – Garth Brooks
- The Gambler – Kenny Rogers
- Take Me Home, Country Roads – John Denver
- Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper (from A Star is Born)
- Sweet Home Alabama – Lynyrd Skynyrd
- Achy Breaky Heart – Billy Ray Cyrus
- Drift Away – Dobie Gray
Chicken Fried – Zac Brown Band
This song is a celebration of life, the simple life. Brown sings it’s not “where you live, what you drive or the price tag on your clothes”, its all about spending time with the family and enjoying the simple things like “a cold beer”, or “jeans that fit just right”. Belt this one out on a Friday night and you’ll bring the house down 🙂
Wagon Wheel – Darius Rucker
What started out as an obscure Bob Dylan song, is now a well-known and loved country tune. The Old Crow Medicine Show popularised it, but it’s this version by Darius Rucker that takes it to new levels. Get anywhere close to this rendition, and you’ll definitely be invited back to the next Karaoke bash!
Tennessee Whiskey – Chris Stapleton
Here’s another iconic country song that’s already done the rounds, first with David Allan Coe in the early ’80s, then later with George Jones. This version, recorded in 2015, became a hit and led to Stapleton winning a CMA (Country Music Award).
It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere – Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett
To say ‘It’s Five O’Clock somewhere’ means “let’s have a drink early because somewhere in the world it’s Five O’Clock” (the time the working day typically finishes). If you live by the rule, you’ll end up an alcoholic. Beware!
That Don’t Impress Me Much – Shania Twain
Here, Twain displays a ton of disdain for guys who are full of themselves. Met many of those? Yup, I bet. This is a perfect karaoke song for girls if you want to stick it to the men.
No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problem – Kenny Chesney
Chesney’s classic song about the carefree beach lifestyle is a fantastic song to get people jazzed up. The explosive chorus is a delight too, and perfect for blowing the blues away. Of course, to get into full character you need to throw of your shoes and shirt.
Cowboy, Take Me Away – Dixie Chicks
If we’re talking country music, cowboys need to get a mention. And who better to sing about them than the brilliant Dixie Chicks. It’s a song about the exhilation of meeting someone new and being whisked “into the wild blue”. She also wants to “grow something wild and unruly.” I’ll leave you to figure that one out :p
Down at Lah De Dah – Jimmy Buffett
This song celebrates being out in a bar – and if you’re singing karaoke chances are you’re in a bar – so this one is a perfect fit. As it’s a Jimmy Buffet song, it’s got that instant likeability that most people respond positively too. His other classic ‘Margaritaville’ is a good choice too.
Before He Cheats – Carrie Underwood
Ever been cheated on? Then you’ll know all about wanting to get your own back. In this song, Carrie Underwood lives out many peoples fantasies when their partner does the dirty – she trashes his 4×4 truck with a baseball bat. Extreme, but probably gets the point across (not a wise idea by the way, you’ll be breaking the law.)
Chatahoochee – Alan Jackson
For those who know their geography, you’ll know the Chattahoochee river forms part of the border between Alabama and Georgia. Here, Alan Jackson sings about growing up in a little town by the river, and learning about life and love in the process.
All My Ex’s Live in Texas – George Strait
Here, the narrator has lived most of his life in Texas (along the Frio River) but a series of failed romances with women has put him off going to the state, period. He now “hangs his hat” in Tennessee. Wise move.
Jolene – Dolly Parton
Ok, if you don’t know Jolene you’ve been living under a rock! It’s one of the most popular karaoke songs ever. In the song’s lyrics, Parton pleads with Jolene not to take her man away from her.
Friends in Low Places – Garth Brooks
There are rather desperate people out there who brag about their well to do friends, “friends in high places”, as the saying goes, but who aren’t really friends (the sort of friends you can share all your troubles with).
In this song about true friendship Brooks sings about his lowlife bunch of friends (“in low places”) he hangs out with at the Oasis bar “where the whiskey drowns, and the beer chases my blues away.”
The Gambler – Kenny Rogers
In this famous song written by Nashville songwriter Don Schlitz, a card shark gives the narrator some life advice using poker metaphors, with the notorious line “you’ve got to know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em”. It’s not so much a song about gambling than is it a song about life, and is perfect for any country karaoke session.
Take Me Home, Country Roads – John Denver
Want a song thats a little bit country but one that everyone knows? Then try this classic by John Denver. It’s a song about returning home, and is 100% guaranteed to have everyone up their feet joining in with you.
Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper (from A Star is Born)
Duets are great for karaoke. Standing up there with someone takes the nerves away a little (especially if it’s your first time) – plus there are some truly great songs that require two people. This song is a relative newcomer to the party and is already pretty high up on the list of best karaoke duets.
Sweet Home Alabama – Lynyrd Skynyrd
Sweet Home Alabama is so well-known that it’s almost annoying. Almost. It’s still a cracker of a song, and like ‘Country Roads’ (see above) is one of the most beloved karaoke songs ever written. If you want a crowd-pleaser, walk this way.
Achy Breaky Heart – Billy Ray Cyrus
You can’t have a list of country karaoke songs without ‘Achy Breaky Heart.’ It just wouldn’t be right. I have randomly line danced to this song at a campsite in France (with a load of French people) and can testify that it works for that. It will work or a karaoke session too.
Drift Away – Dobie Gray
Here’s one of those songs that you’ve probably heard, but have no idea who it’s by. Drift Away was originally sung by Dobie Gray with a more recent version by Uncle Kracker (check that version out too). It’s a great song if you can hold a tune.
