R&B in a karaoke room rewards singers more than almost any other genre. The runs, the dynamics, the moments where you let the note land — all of it comes alive in a private room where you’re not fighting background noise. These are the songs that consistently deliver.
Every one is in the karaoke catalogue at The Old School Yard, London Bridge.
The R&B Karaoke Essentials
Beyoncé — Crazy in Love / Single Ladies / Halo / Love on Top / Irreplaceable / Run the World (Girls)
Love on Top is the vocal showcase of the session — the key changes climb four times, each one higher than the last. Crazy in Love for the energy. Halo for the pure, sustained ballad moment. Single Ladies because someone will insist on it, correctly.
Rihanna — Umbrella / Don’t Stop the Music / We Found Love / Diamonds / Only Girl in the World
We Found Love is the peak dance moment in any R&B set. Umbrella for the chorus that carries an entire room. Diamonds as the more restrained, emotional choice.
Whitney Houston — I Wanna Dance with Somebody / I Will Always Love You / How Will I Know
I Wanna Dance with Somebody is pure joy. I Will Always Love You for the vocal challenge that everyone in the room secretly wants to attempt.
Usher — Yeah! / U Got It Bad / Burn / OMG
Yeah! opens with an energy that’s impossible to resist. U Got It Bad for the slower, more soulful version of Usher. Both reward commitment.
Alicia Keys — If I Ain’t Got You / No One / Fallin’ / Girl on Fire
If I Ain’t Got You is one of the most beautiful songs in karaoke. No One for the anthem. Fallin’ for the call-and-response dynamic that’s perfect for a group room.
Neo-Soul & Modern R&B
The new generation of essential R&B karaoke:
SZA — Kill Bill, Snooze, Good Days, Saturn
The Weeknd — Blinding Lights, Starboy, Can’t Feel My Face, Save Your Tears
Frank Ocean — Thinkin Bout You (quietly devastating in a private room)
Teddy Swims — Lose Control (one of the great recent vocal showcases)
Daniel Caesar — Best Part
Khalid — Young Dumb & Broke, Location
H.E.R. — Best Part
Tate McRae — Greedy
Classic 90s & 2000s R&B
Mariah Carey — Always Be My Baby, Fantasy, Hero, We Belong Together
Destiny’s Child — Say My Name, Jumpin’ Jumpin’ (both excellent in a group setting)
TLC — No Scrubs, Waterfalls (Waterfalls has one of the best karaoke rap bridges)
Boyz II Men — End of the Road, I’ll Make Love to You, One Sweet Day (harmonies that reward a group)
Aaliyah — Try Again, Are You That Somebody?
Craig David — Fill Me In, 7 Days, Walking Away
Ne-Yo — So Sick, Miss Independent, Closer
Toni Braxton — Un-Break My Heart, Breathe Again
Janet Jackson — That’s the Way Love Goes, Together Again, Nasty
Soul Classics
Aretha Franklin — Respect, Natural Woman (Respect is an event)
Stevie Wonder — Superstition, Signed Sealed Delivered
Mary J. Blige — No More Drama, Family Affair, Be Without You
Lauryn Hill — Doo Wop (That Thing)
Erykah Badu — On & On
Amy Winehouse — Valerie, Rehab, Back to Black (Back to Black is one of the great modern soul karaoke songs)
Jorja Smith — Blue Lights
Estelle — American Boy
UK R&B
Craig David — Fill Me In, 7 Days
Jorja Smith — Blue Lights
Ella Mai — Boo’d Up
Estelle — American Boy
Raye — Escapism (one of the most commanding vocal performances in recent UK music)
R&B Karaoke Tips
Love on Top requires preparation. If you’re doing Love on Top, know where the key changes are. There are four of them. Each one goes up. The last one is the moment.
The Weeknd is more singable than it sounds. Blinding Lights and Save Your Tears are very much in range — the melodies are accessible even if the production sounds enormous.
SZA rewards patience. The verses of Kill Bill and Snooze are understated. Lean into the quietness before the chorus arrives.
Respect is not just a word. Aretha Franklin’s delivery is all swagger and precision. Own the attitude and the song delivers itself.
Book Your R&B Night
All these songs are in our private karaoke rooms at London Bridge. Groups of 6 to 20, no room hire fee.
See also: Hen Party Songs → | Disco Songs → | New Karaoke Hits → | Full Song List →
The Old School Yard | 111 Long Lane, London Bridge, SE1 4PH