9 iconic karaoke songs from the 80s and 90s Gen Z made viral again

When I was a teenager, karaoke meant dragging out a bulky machine, loading one of those scratched CDs, and hoping the lyrics scrolled across the TV screen in time with the music.

Now? Karaoke lives on TikTok, Instagram reels, and late-night car rides where entire friend groups scream along to a chorus that came out decades before they were born.

It fascinates me how songs from the 80s and 90s have made a full comeback through Gen Z. It’s not just nostalgia—it’s a cultural recycling of anthems that thrive on connection, drama, and sing-out-loud energy. These tracks have staying power because they touch something universal.

And here’s the kicker: the best karaoke songs aren’t necessarily the ones sung well. They’re the ones everyone knows, even if they can’t quite hit the notes.

So let’s talk about nine karaoke classics from the 80s and 90s that Gen Z has pulled into the spotlight—turning them from “mom and dad’s music” into viral sensations.

1. “Take on Me” – A-ha

What is it about this 1985 track that refuses to age?

Maybe it’s the iconic sketch-style music video that still looks fresh 40 years later. Maybe it’s the synth riff that instantly teleports you into retro heaven. Or maybe it’s the sheer absurdity of trying to hit that falsetto note.

Gen Z has remixed and lip-synced this song in endless TikToks—often with a touch of irony, but also with genuine affection. And in a karaoke bar, it’s unbeatable.

Even if you fail spectacularly on the high notes (and let’s be real, most of us do), you still win. Because the point isn’t perfection—it’s the shared laugh when your voice cracks on “I’ll be gone… in a day or twooo.”

2. “Wannabe” – Spice Girls

Let me tell you—if you’ve ever been to karaoke night with a group of friends, and someone queues this up, you know exactly what’s about to happen.

No song captures chaotic group energy quite like “Wannabe.” Released in 1996, it was part of the Spice Girls’ girl-power takeover. For millennials, it was the soundtrack of slumber parties. For Gen Z, it’s the soundtrack of TikToks celebrating friendship and unapologetic fun.

What makes it timeless is its inclusivity. You don’t need to be able to sing. You just need to shout, laugh, and maybe stumble through the rap section. Karaoke thrives on camaraderie, and “Wannabe” delivers it in spades.

3. “Bohemian Rhapsody” – Queen

This one’s practically a karaoke rite of passage.

It’s not a song—it’s a six-minute drama. Ballad, opera, rock anthem, headbang break… it’s a full theatrical performance in under seven minutes.

Psychologists who study musical structure explain that songs with distinct sections sustain listener engagement longer by tapping into surprise and contrast—think sudden shifts that reset attention, much like “Bohemian Rhapsody.”

One analysis of popular music found that sections with greater harmonic surprise separated by more predictable choruses tend to correspond with higher song popularity.

For Gen Z, viral videos of carpool singalongs and TikTok reenactments have made this track feel fresh all over again. And at karaoke? It guarantees one thing: the entire bar is singing, stomping, and clapping by the end.

4. “No Scrubs” – TLC

This one is pure 90s attitude. Released in 1999, it became an instant anthem for anyone tired of low-effort dating.

Gen Z picked it up through TikTok audios and memes, where “scrub” is still shorthand for someone who just doesn’t measure up. And the beauty is—it hasn’t aged a bit. The lyrics are as relatable now as they were 25 years ago.

Karaoke-wise, it’s unbeatable. The verses are conversational, the chorus is chantable, and it works whether you’re singing it seriously or with tongue-in-cheek sass. It’s empowerment disguised as entertainment.

5. “Livin’ on a Prayer” – Bon Jovi

Here’s the funny thing: this track came out in 1986, but Gen Z adopted it like it was written for their finals-week playlists.

The chorus—“Whoa, we’re halfway there…”—has gone viral in countless TikToks about pushing through hard times. It’s basically become the anthem of perseverance.

At karaoke, it’s electric. The slow build, the soaring chorus, the fists pumping in unison—this is what karaoke nights are made for. It doesn’t matter if you’re in a dive bar, a college dorm, or your parents’ basement. By the time the key change hits, everyone is screaming along like they’re in a stadium.

6. “Say My Name” – Destiny’s Child

This song is deceptively tricky. The harmonies, the stop-start rhythm, the call-and-response structure—it’s not one you casually breeze through.

And yet, that’s what makes it such a fun karaoke choice. Even if you mess it up, people cheer you on because everyone knows it’s a tough one.

Gen Z resurfaced this track by slowing it down into moody TikTok edits, often tied to themes of suspicion and betrayal. But live, it still has the same electricity it did in 1999. It’s sharp, confident, and unforgettable.

And when the chorus kicks in, the whole room leans forward—waiting to shout “Say my name, say my name!” right along with you.

7. “Don’t Stop Believin’” – Journey

This 1981 hit is the poster child for karaoke anthems.

Hopeful lyrics, an iconic piano intro, and a chorus that everyone knows—it checks all the boxes. 

A study on nostalgia in music found that listening to nostalgic songs activates the brain's memory and reward centers, reinforcing their lasting cultural impact.

And this one? It’s pure optimism wrapped in melody.

Gen Z found it through Glee and TikTok edits, but the message still resonates. Don’t stop believing. Hold on. Keep going.

Karaoke makes it even better because the second you hit “streetlight people,” you’re not just singing—you’re part of a collective, sweaty, joyful moment where strangers become temporary bandmates.

8. “Kiss Me” – Sixpence None the Richer

If most karaoke tracks are about volume and bravado, this one flips the script.

Released in 1997, it’s a soft, dreamy ballad that became a staple of teen rom-coms. Gen Z rediscovered it through cottagecore aesthetics and first-crush edits on TikTok.

At karaoke, it’s not about belting—it’s about vulnerability. Singing this feels like stepping into a movie scene: a little awkward, a little tender, and surprisingly powerful.

Sometimes the quiet songs leave the deepest mark. And this one, with its breathy sweetness, gives you a chance to lean into the moment.

9. “I Want It That Way” – Backstreet Boys

Here’s the truth: no one really knows what this song means. And no one cares.

Released in 1999, it was peak boyband era—five guys harmonizing in matching outfits. Gen Z turned it into meme culture gold. TikToks of people pointing dramatically at each other during the chorus have made this song unironically beloved again.

And karaoke? It’s legendary. You don’t just sing it—you act it out. You assign lines. You reenact the music video. You go full boyband for three minutes and thirty-three seconds.

It’s goofy, nostalgic, and oddly emotional. Which makes it perfect.

Why these songs keep coming back

There’s a psychological reason these tracks work so well. Music researcher Dr. Mark Jude Tramo once said, “Songs become timeless when they evoke shared emotions and memories across generations.”

That’s what’s happening here. These songs aren’t just relics of the past—they’re emotional glue. They give people common ground to connect, laugh, and sing terribly together.

Gen Z didn’t just bring them back out of irony. They brought them back because they resonate—whether it’s empowerment (No Scrubs), hope (Don’t Stop Believin’), or chaos (Wannabe).

Final thoughts

Karaoke has never really been about singing well. It’s about connection, catharsis, and letting go.

The fact that Gen Z has taken these 80s and 90s tracks and made them viral again just proves how universal they are. The hairstyles may look outdated, but the emotions? Timeless.

So next time you step up to the mic, don’t overthink it. Pick one of these songs. Lean into the nostalgia. Laugh when your voice cracks. Belt like you’re in a stadium.

Because whether it’s 1985, 1999, or 2025, the power of a good karaoke anthem is that it doesn’t just fill the room with music—it fills it with people singing together. And that, to me, is magic that never fades.