Entertainment

'00s Pop Jams That Are Perfect For Group Karaoke

by Kristie Rohwedder

It’s a Saturday night. You and your friends are at your local watering hole. However, it is not just any ol’ Saturday night at the bar. It’s karaoke night at the bar. You and your friends plan to sing your respective go-to, tried-and-true, rehearsed-in-the-car-on-the-way-here karaoke favorites. But just as you all begin to scribble “Total Eclipse of the Heart” by Bonnie Tyler, “Say It Ain’t So” by Weezer, “Kiss From A Rose” by Seal, and "Torn" by Natalie Imbruglia onto your song request slips, one of your buddies lobs a curveball at the group: What if you changed things up? What if you did not do solo songs this time? What if you all lived out your early '00s pop group aspirations and sang a song together?

If you've ever dreamed of being in an early '00s girl group/early '00s boy band, 1) you and me both, and 2) karaoke night is more or less the perfect place to make that dream an (almost) reality. No, standing on the karaoke bar’s folding portable stage while you sing before a room of moderately disinterested bar patrons isn’t the same as performing in front of thousands of screaming fans at a sold-out concert, but it is as close as most of us will ever get. And we must take what we can get.

Here are some aughts pop group tunes to sing with your pals that'll help you channel your inner boy band member/girl group member.

“Never Had A Dream Come True” By S Club 7

I'm not saying you have to rehearse all of the harmonies beforehand, but it's not a bad idea.

“U + Me = Us (Calculus)” By 2gether

If you and your pals perform this parody song/pop masterpiece, you can’t not do the dance moves. To not do the “U + Me = Us” arm choreo would be to commit blasphemy.

“Scandalous” By Mis-Teeq

This song is bonafide jam from start to finish, but the last minute is where things REALLY heat up. Conserve your energy accordingly.

“All Or Nothing” By O-Town

If the bar scream-sings the chorus along with you, that, my friend, is a good bar.

“No More (Baby I’ma Do Right)” By 3LW

I mean, you and your friends already know all of the words to the 3LW classic. Might as well sing it together in front of a vodka-soaked crowd.

“The Call” By The Backstreet Boys

Pro-tip: It’s not “Listen baby I’m sorry/Just wanna tell you don’t worry.” It’s actually “Listen baby I’m sorr-AY/Just wanna tell you don’t worr-AY.” Don’t let the karaoke screen lead you astray-AY.

“Same Old Brand New You” By A1

I doff my Von Dutch trucker hat to whoever volunteers to do the robot voice.

“Get Over Yourself” By Eden’s Crush

This is the perfect track to dedicate to any and all rude karaoke night audience members.

“Do It To It” By Cherish

If you pick this song, I guarantee the 'aoke bar will be rockin' to it to it. So do it do it do it to it.

“Right Now” By Atomic Kitten

This is a ball of fire of a tune. Maybe chug some Mountain Dew Code Red before it's your turn to sing?

“This Is Me” By Dream

Make sure you assign someone the role of “Whisper-Singer” before you go onstage.

“No Good Advice” By Girls Aloud

I don't think I've ever heard "No Good Advice" at 'aoke night. That needs to change.

“That’s What Girls Do” By No Secrets

Channel your inner Powerpuff Girl.

“It’s Gonna Be Me” By *NSYNC

Oh, your group wants to do all of the choreo from the video while you sing the song? Bonus points to all, and to all a goodnight.

May your next karaoke night be as glorious as a pair of distressed 'n' bedazzled bootcut jeans.