[Feature] Say What? Karaoke!

Growing up in Bergen County, an outing to one of the many local noraebangs (karaoke rooms, also known as nrb) is a given, whether it's for a birthday party, a random get-together with old friends, or just some place to go and unwind when there's nothing else to do. With the holidays in full swing, and kids getting off school for winter break, noraebang is definitely on agenda for some good, silly times with the people you can rock it out with. Here's our favorite picks amongst the vast book of potential songs to sing for a memorable night. Let the good times roll.

"Are You Going To Be My Girl" by Jet
This song is a nrb must. Yeah it's hard to sing, but you can't beat the fast-paced beat and the chance to imitate Jet's sauve, raspy, high-pitched voice.

"Kung Fu Fighting" by Carl Douglas
The reason this song is so great is that, even if nobody knows the lyrics, everyone knows when to make those awesome karate noises. Hwah! A great song to sing to bring up the mood after someone unsuccessfully tries to sing Coldplay's The Scientist.

"Wonderwall" by Oasis
Never heard of this song? Don't worry. After one listen, you'll be able to rock out to this slightly slow, easy to sing, Oasis hit. Good song + easy to sing = great nrb song.

"Twist & Shout" by The Beatles
The Topnotes were the first to record this catchy beat but the most popular version comes from the Fab Four. The song is extremely fun and the lyrics are not hard at all. As long as you can say "shake it baby," "twist and shout," and "ahhhhh" .. you will not feel left out.

"Bye Bye Bye" by *NSYNC
So contrary to what it may sound like, the song is a reference to the group's breakup with their longtime manager Lou Pearlman. It became their signature song and one of their biggest hits, staying in the top 10 on Billboard's Top 100 list for 12 weeks. Rolling Stone also listed it as the 17th most annoying song. The song epitomizes the dancey, poppy, boy-band of the 90s sound, and it's completely fun to sing when you're a little buzzed enough to do the dance moves along with it (watch the video above- it's not that hard, just stomp around while waving your hands).

"Don't Stop Believing" by Journey
Recently made headlines as the song from the final scene of the final episode of the Sopranos, which actually made it the number one song on iTunes by the end of that week. It has been parodied and used in countless movies, TV shows, even Hillary Clinton's campaign video. Nicely done, Journey, your song is still relevant even after 20+ years. Has a really great keyboard rift, which really does nothing for the purposes of this list, but it's still a great song to rock out to with your friends.

"Living on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi
How could we not give a huge shout out to Jersey's own, Bon Jovi. This nrb classic requires every bit of strain from your vocal chords. Although we can't sing like Jon, it doesn't stop anyone from singing this song just as passionately.

"Basket Case" by Green Day
Even after a decade since it's release, "Basket Case" is the perfect nrb song to sing (or scream) in punk rock-fashion. With great lyrics such as "Am I just paranoid/Or Am I just stoned," this song is the perfect anthem for punk rock lovers, people struggling with anxiety, or for a great sing-along.

"Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen
One of Queen's best known songs, it's unusual in the sense that it's like a stream-of-consciousness flow, with no chorus and with various junctions of operatic, heavy metal, and a cappella segments. Basically, it's like you're getting 10 songs in one. It's fantastic.

"Staying Alive" by The Bee Gees
If singing falsetto and tight pants is what you do, then this is the song for you. Disco might be dead but who doesn't love this song?

"Don't Stop Me Now" by Queen
Voted as the "Greatest Driving Song Ever" on a BBC program in 2005, this song features Queen's trademark style of multi-harmony vocals for the chorus. A great song for those who are buzzed and feeling good, or a start-off for an inebriated night.

"Elevation" by U2
How can you have any song list without having U2 on it? Elevation is a great upbeat song, despite the fact that it's a bit hard to sing. As a bonus, it's a good test to see how much you've had to drink. The more comfortable you feel when you sing, "Woooo, wooo-oooh" the less comfortable you should feel about driving.

"You Get What You Give" by New Radicals
The upbeat message telling teens to remain true to who you are became the youth anthem of the late 90's, and is a karaoke classic for those who still believe in that belief.

"I Want It That Way" by Backstreet Boys
You really can't go wrong with a boy band song. See "Bye Bye Bye" above. This is our favorite BSB song to sing at the nrb, cause even though the song itself is slow and sad, you can totally get into it with all the "tell me whyyyyyy"s and riffs from the chorus. But you need to sing it with people who will get as into it as you are. SO fun.

"Numb/Encore" by Linkin Park/Jay-Z
Of course you need to have a good rap song for wannabe rappers out there (myself included - Yuri). Numb/Encore is slow enough that you don't need to be Twista perform it, yet still challenging and upbeat. Also, this song is good for a duet, because the Linkin Park part is pretty tough as well.

"I'll Be Missing You" by Puff Daddy
Ever have memories of riding the bus home from a school trip and singing a song together as a group? "I'll Be Missing You" was not only a tribute to the late Notorious B.I.G, but a great song to sing when a group of people are feeling particularly nostalgic of those good old bus trips, or just missing anyone (but especially Big Poppa).

"Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson
Despite of all the craziness, Michael does not disappoint when it comes to his music. According to Mike, this song is about the crazy groupies he had to deal with. Sort of the same way you have to deal with crazy groupies at the noraebangs, right?

"Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana
Often dubbed as the anthem for apathetic kids of Generation X. The song is brilliant because the verse-chorus form is set up in a way that alternates a loud and quiet dynamic. Starts off slow, but by the end, you'll be screaming words that end in o- 'hello,' 'mulatto,' 'albino,' 'mosquito,' 'libido.'

"The Sign" by Ace of Base
Who knew this Swedish dance-pop band would produce the greatest hit single of 1994, let alone one of the catchiest pop songs of the 90s?? Everyone knows this song, enough said.

"Always Be My Baby" by Mariah Carey
Who doesn't love this song? This is pure, lovely Mariah, pre-Glitter, pre-meltdown, pre-diva. Bittersweet lyrics, pretty melody, and the annoyingly awesome 'do do doop dum's make it a must at the nrb.

"Zombie" by The Cranberries
A social commentary on war, probably their best song even though it doesn't really sound like any of their other songs. A lot of repetition, and it can get kind of annoying, but that's what you have the stop button for.