Is emo too…emo for karaoke? Not a chance! Especially when you consider how many great tracks from the past 20 years are rooted in the genre. An offshoot of hardcore punk, emotional hardcore – or emo-core, or just simply: emo music –spawned so many amazing songs in the early 2000s, many of which have gone on to achieve icon status.
So, if you’re up for the challenge: grab your favorite eyeliner, pull up your best pair of skinny jeans, and get ready to rock out with this curated list of the best emo sing-a-longs of all time! How many can you belt out?
1. I Write Sins Not Tragedies – Panic! At The Disco
Despite a nearly 20-year career, this band was really known primarily for one track. But what a track! Arguably the biggest emo anthem of them all, “I Write Sins…” was a major hit on rock radio and, the accompanying music video remains legendary. But it’s the song itself – catchy, uproarious, and a little bit absurd – that make it the emo GOAT!
Sing I Write Sins Not Tragedies karaoke here.
2. Misery Business – Paramore
Despite some very notable exceptions, emo in the 2000s was mostly a boys’ club. Until Paramore front-woman Hayley Williams, and her fiery red hair, came along and blew everyone out of the water with “Misery Business”. This track was huge in 2007 and created a surge of renewed female interest in not only emo, but punk and metal. Williams remains ahead of her time, and Paramore is still one of the biggest emo bands in the world today.
Sing Misery Business karaoke here.
3. Mr. Brightside – The Killers
Truly one of the greats from 2005, The Killers were a band of many contradictions. But they nailed it with one of the best karaoke tracks of all time. “Mr. Brightside” is a wistful love letter to a betrayed ex, which is something that everybody can relate to. The iconic music video makes it even better. And there are probably only a handful of people on the planet who don’t have the chorus memorized.
Sing Mr. Brightside karaoke here.
4. Shake It – Metro Station
For those who don’t know, emo can actually make you want to get up and dance. Seriously, it’s possible. This infectious emo-pop anthem from 2007 gave so many moody, dark-clothed teenagers a reason to bop. And the lyrics and sing-a-long chorus have transcended time to become a memorable throwback.
5. The Middle – Jimmy Eat World
Jimmy Eat World started with modest indie success, then they arrived hard in 2001…and then quickly faded from the mainstream. But while they were huge, they left an indelible impression on moody boys and girls across the globe with this melodic, upbeat classic about never counting yourself out too early. Ironic, really.
6. Teenagers – My Chemical Romance
There’s emo, and then there’s My Chemical Romance. The heavily stylized outfit, led by singer Gerard Way, helped put the genre on the map with “Teenagers”, a catchy and totally relatable ode to teenage angst.
7. Sugar, We're Going Down – Fall Out Boy
One of the biggest emo bands of the 2000s, Fall Out Boy came out of nowhere with their debut single, “Sugar…”, and the rest is history. Everybody was screaming this track back in the day––and the same people probably still know all the lyrics.
Sing Sugar, We’re Going Down karaoke here.
8. Dirty Little Secret – All American Rejects
This Oklahoma foursome packed a mighty emotional punch (and plenty of eye candy) into many of their videos, but perhaps none as much as this classic track. Though not their biggest hit, “Dirty Little Secret” was and is great for singing along with a crowd.
Sing Dirty Little Secret karaoke here.
9. The Great Escape – Boys Like Girls
Pulsating with energy right from the opening bars, “Boys Like Girls” is nostalgia-soaked Americana in a nutshell. Featuring swelling vocals and frenetic guitar work, this is peak 2000s emo and an all-around crowd-pleaser, making it perfect for karaoke.
Sing The Great Escape karaoke here.
10. The Only Exception – Paramore
The only band with TWO tracks in our Top 10. Hayley Williams’ soft harmonies and sweet wistful delivery on Paramore’s melody-heavy love song make for a perfect karaoke track. Best to reserve this one for the end of the night, and go out on a slow burn.
Sing The Only Exception karaoke here.
There you have it! The 10 most popular emo tracks to try at karaoke. If you plan to host a karaoke night with your friends or family at home (or just love singing on your own), you'll need reliable karaoke app like Singa.
Our user-friendly interface seamlessly connects with TVs, phones, and tablets – so you can get the party started in any room in your home. Sign up for Singa today!