Sing along songs that everyone knows?

[George Trapalis]

Hey all, first time posting, so sorry if this might be in the wrong thread, or if this topic may already have been discussed at nauseum. But i am wanting to compile a binder with chords/lyrics so when im sitting around a campfire or having a party, and people start jamming, i have a compilation of songs that a lot of people can sing along too. I have found that when you start playing sweet caroline or country roads, everyone chimes in (at least for the chorus). And if you got two guitars, usually the other person is trying to keep up with chord changes/progressions, so thought id make a song book of the top 50 songs people might know and love. So my question is...what songs have you played that really get people engaged and singing along? Thanks for the help.

[H165]

Pretty much depends on the age group. See these threads:

https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=428015

https://umgf.com/the-dreaded-campfir...50394-s20.html

55 years ago, when I was the only guitar-playing counselor at a summer camp, one evening I instantly became the de-facto campfire song leader. I learned some of the above lessons real fast. I am now an old guy. In addition to the entire PPM/Kingston Trio and PPM repertoire, I'll submit a few for your consideration....including a couple most guitar players never want to hear again:

FAMILY CAMPFIRE:

WILL YOU LOVE ME TOMORROW

WAGON WHEEL
YOU AINT GOIN' NOWHERE
RAPID ROY
ROLLER DERBY QUEEN
IN THE JAILHOUSE NOW
CHAINS
GOIN' STEADY
MOTEL COWBOY
NIGHT RIDER'S LAMENT
LATE NIGHT RADIO
SAN FRANCISCO BAY BLUES
COWBOY BUCKAROO

When they are all worn out: TODAY

If they are pleasantly buzzed and sentimental:

ROSEVILLE FAIR and GOIN' GONE

If you're out in the woods: PONIES

For Boomer sing-alongs:

Most anything by The Beatles (early tunes)
Brown Eyed Girl
Take It easy
Hey Baby
Folkified versions of Heat Wave

ADULT CAMPFIRE:

IT DOESN'T PAY TO BE HIP
WHY DON'T WE JUST DANCE?
STACY BROWN GOT TWO
SHAME AND SCANDAL
BIG BALL'S IN COW TOWN
BUCKO'S MEMOIRS
LET'S TALK DIRTY IN HAWAIIAN
THIRD RATE ROMANCE

[difalkner]

Paradise - John Prine
For Bobbie (For Baby) - JD
Cats In The Cradle - Harry Chapin
Puff the Magic Dragon - PP&M
Grandma's Featherbed - JD
Three Wooden Crosses - Randy Travis

[George Trapalis]

That link you posted has some goodies. I've done Google searches and all I've found online are lists that are very genre specific and even I didn't know most the songs in them. I think my top 5 that get a response from "the crowd" are
Jack and Diane
Friends in low places
Free falling
Elvis, Can't help falling in love
Margaritaville

Not necessarily the best songs in the world, but people seem to know them and more than happy to join along

[Charlie Bernstein]

I intensely don't get it, but folks sing along when my duo buddy Buddy pulls out "Peaceful Easy Feeling."

[leew3]

I fervently wish it weren't true, but Sweet Caroline is a crowd favorite every time!

[Chipotle]

Originally Posted by H165

WILL YOU LOVE ME TOMORROW

WAGON WHEEL
YOU AINT GOIN' NOWHERE
RAPID ROY
ROLLER DERBY QUEEN
IN THE JAILHOUSE NOW
CHAINS
GOIN' STEADY
MOTEL COWBOY
NIGHT RIDER'S LAMENT
LATE NIGHT RADIO
SAN FRANCISCO BAY BLUES
COWBOY BUCKAROO

When they are all worn out: TODAY

If they are pleasantly buzzed and sentimental:

ROSEVILLE FAIR and GOIN' GONE

If you're out in the woods: PONIES

For Boomer sing-alongs:

Most anything by The Beatles (early tunes)
Brown Eyed Girl
Take It easy
Hey Baby
Folkified versions of Heat Wave

ADULT CAMPFIRE:

IT DOESN'T PAY TO BE HIP
WHY DON'T WE JUST DANCE?
STACY BROWN GOT TWO
SHAME AND SCANDAL
BIG BALL'S IN COW TOWN
BUCKO'S MEMOIRS
LET'S TALK DIRTY IN HAWAIIAN
THIRD RATE ROMANCE

I guess it really does depend on age. I'm no spring chicken (creeping up on 60) but I know almost NONE of those songs. Beatles stuff, Brown-Eyed Girl, Take It Easy. Perhaps I have heard others but just don't know them by name. Maybe I just led a sheltered life as a kid?

[mike o]

I’ll seconded that and I’m 65. Maybe the question should be “what songs have you played recently at a cozy camp fire gathering that went over well?”

Originally Posted by Chipotle

I guess it really does depend on age. I'm no spring chicken (creeping up on 60) but I know almost NONE of those songs. Beatles stuff, Brown-Eyed Girl, Take It Easy. Perhaps I have heard others but just don't know them by name. Maybe I just led a sheltered life as a kid?

[DCCougar]

Originally Posted by Chipotle

I guess it really does depend on age. I'm no spring chicken (creeping up on 60) but I know almost NONE of those songs.

Haha! That's what I was going to say!

I guess it would have been back in the 50s, when my folks would get together with friends and neighbors, my dad would eventually break out his old Epiphone Zenith and they'd do sing-alongs. (Sing Along With Mitch was a popular TV show back then.) The only one I remember is You Are My Sunshine.

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are gray
You'll never know dear, how much I love you
Please don't take my sunshine away.

The verses? Fuggettaboutit.

[Robin, Wales]

Around here the campfire sing-alongs may well include:

Sosban Fach
Myfanwy
Ar Lan y Mor
Calon Lan

Wonderwall - always goes down well.

And pretty much anything else with an easy and obvious chorus that's been in the hit parade - or you have just made up!

[maxed]

Not guitar-centric, but check out The Austin Ukulele Society on Youtube.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bmm0XdmBZhY

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qfz3Cp8djNI

https://m.youtube.com/@AustinUkuleleSociety

...and, many more!

Their channel posts videos of at least fifty people singing and strumming popular songs on their ukuleles. Talk about a sing-along! They also post the chord progressions so you can play and sing along too. Easily translates to guitar chords.


.

[Methos1979]

Originally Posted by Chipotle

I guess it really does depend on age. I'm no spring chicken (creeping up on 60) but I know almost NONE of those songs. Beatles stuff, Brown-Eyed Girl, Take It Easy. Perhaps I have heard others but just don't know them by name. Maybe I just led a sheltered life as a kid?

Originally Posted by mike o

I’ll seconded that and I’m 65. Maybe the question should be “what songs have you played recently at a cozy camp fire gathering that went over well?”

Lol - thirded! I didn't recognise a single song in all caps except Wagon Wheel!

Here's the songs we get most people singing along to:

I Saw Her Standing There - Beatles
Take Me Home Country Roads - JD
Sister Golden Hair - America
Build Me Up Buttercup - The Foundations
Home Sweet Home - Motley Crue
These Boots Are Made For Walking - Nancy Sinatra
Can't Help Falling In Love - Elvis
Make It With You - Bread
Hit The Road Jack - Ray Charles
When Irish Eyes Are Smiling - Traditional
Blue Suede Shoes - Elvis
Rock Around The Clock - Bill Haley/Comets
Wake Up Little Susie - Everly Bros
Your Cheatin' Heart - Patsy Cline
On The Road Again - Willie Nelson
Ventura Highway - America
King Of The Road - Roger Miller
I Fall To Pieces - Patsy Cline
The Gambler - Kenny Rogers
Margaritaville - Jimmy Buffet
Knock Three Times - Tony Orlando/Dawn
The Long And Winding Road - Beatles
Somewhere Over The Rainbow - Judy Garland
Take On Me - Ah Ha
Fly Me To The Moon - Frank Sinatra
Sittin' On The Dock Of The Bay - Otis Reading
Twilight Zone - Golden Earring
Danny's Song - Kenny Loggins
When I'm Sixty-Four - Beatles
Forever Young - Bob Dylan

[LAPlayer]

If you do a Google search for the top 100 bar songs, you'll get a list of the most played/requested songs. First however, welcome to the forum. The songs, of course, will vary depending on the genre you want to play so you might have to modify your search to, top bluegrass songs, or top bar songs, or top country songs.