6. Forget the Karaoke Machine: 100 Piano Bar Hits to Learn

4 min read 02-01-2025

Forget the Karaoke Machine: 100 Piano Bar Hits to Learn

Meta Description: Unleash your inner piano man! This list of 100 classic piano bar hits will have you entertaining friends and family in no time. Learn the chords, master the melodies, and become the life of the party. Start playing today! (160 characters)

Title Tag: 100 Piano Bar Hits: Master the Keyboard & Become the Life of the Party

Introduction

Tired of the same old karaoke routine? Ready to take your musical talents to the next level? Then ditch the microphone and embrace the timeless charm of the piano bar! This list of 100 classic piano bar hits will transform you from a casual player into a seasoned entertainer. Whether you're a seasoned pianist or just starting out, these songs offer a mix of challenging and accessible pieces that will keep you engaged and improving. Learning piano bar classics is a fantastic way to expand your repertoire and impress your friends and family. So, let's dive into the ultimate collection of piano bar hits!

Section 1: Classic Rock Anthems (20 Songs)

These rock anthems are guaranteed crowd-pleasers, easily adaptable to a piano arrangement. Focus on learning the essential chords and rhythm to capture the energy of these iconic songs.

Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen
Piano Man - Billy Joel (a must-have for any aspiring piano bar performer!)
Sweet Child o' Mine - Guns N' Roses
Don't Stop Believin' - Journey
Livin' on a Prayer - Bon Jovi
Free Fallin' - Tom Petty
Brown Eyed Girl - Van Morrison
Hotel California - Eagles
Born to Be Wild - Steppenwolf
You Shook Me All Night Long - AC/DC
November Rain - Guns N' Roses
Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin (challenging but rewarding!)
Like a Rolling Stone - Bob Dylan
Hey Jude - The Beatles
Imagine - John Lennon
With a Little Help From My Friends - The Beatles
Yesterday - The Beatles
Let It Be - The Beatles
Here Comes the Sun - The Beatles
Hallelujah - Leonard Cohen

Section 2: Soulful Ballads and Blues (20 Songs)

These songs offer a chance to showcase your emotional range and piano skills. Pay attention to phrasing and dynamics to truly capture the essence of these timeless tunes.

Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
At Last - Etta James
Unchained Melody - The Righteous Brothers
I Heard It Through the Grapevine - Marvin Gaye
Respect - Aretha Franklin
(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman - Aretha Franklin
Feeling Good - Nina Simone
What a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
Fly Me to the Moon - Frank Sinatra
My Way - Frank Sinatra
New York State of Mind - Billy Joel
The Way You Look Tonight - Frank Sinatra
Someone Like You - Adele
All of Me - John Legend
Crazy Little Thing Called Love - Queen
Wonderful Tonight - Eric Clapton
Stand By Me - Ben E. King
River Deep, Mountain High - Ike & Tina Turner
I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor
Killing Me Softly - Roberta Flack

Section 3: Pop Classics and Showtunes (20 Songs)

From catchy pop hits to memorable showtunes, this section provides variety and caters to a broad audience.

Dancing Queen - ABBA
Mamma Mia - ABBA
Take a Chance on Me - ABBA
Waterloo - ABBA
I Will Always Love You - Whitney Houston
I Want to Know What Love Is - Foreigner
Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond
American Pie - Don McLean
Piano Man - Billy Joel (yes, it's that good!)
Summer Nights - Grease Soundtrack
Hopelessly Devoted to You - Grease Soundtrack
You're the One That I Want - Grease Soundtrack
New York, New York - Frank Sinatra
My Heart Will Go On - Celine Dion
I Believe I Can Fly - R. Kelly
Don't Stop Believin' - Journey (another great one!)
September - Earth, Wind & Fire
I Want it That Way - Backstreet Boys
Livin' la Vida Loca - Ricky Martin
Smooth - Santana ft. Rob Thomas

Section 4: Easy Listening and Jazz Standards (20 Songs)

These tunes are perfect for showcasing your piano technique and creating a relaxed atmosphere.

La Vie en Rose - Edith Piaf
Fly Me to the Moon - Frank Sinatra (another version!)
Misty - Erroll Garner
Autumn Leaves - Joseph Kosma
What a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong (another classic!)
Georgia on My Mind - Ray Charles
The Girl from Ipanema - Antônio Carlos Jobim
Moonlight Serenade - Glenn Miller Orchestra
In the Mood - Glenn Miller Orchestra
Take Five - Dave Brubeck Quartet
As Time Goes By - Dooley Wilson (Casablanca)
The Way You Look Tonight - Frank Sinatra (Yet another great version!)
Summertime - George Gershwin
Ain't Misbehavin' - Fats Waller
Someone to Watch Over Me - George Gershwin
It Had to Be You - Harry Warren
Embraceable You - George Gershwin
Cheek to Cheek - Irving Berlin
Strangers in the Night - Frank Sinatra
The Very Thought of You - Ray Noble

Section 5: Modern Pop and Contemporary Hits (20 Songs)

Keep your repertoire current with these popular songs that are easily adapted for piano.

Someone Like You - Adele
Rolling in the Deep - Adele
Hello - Adele
Thinking Out Loud - Ed Sheeran
Shape of You - Ed Sheeran
Perfect - Ed Sheeran
Bad Romance - Lady Gaga
Poker Face - Lady Gaga
Uptown Funk - Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars
Happy - Pharrell Williams
Shake It Off - Taylor Swift
Blank Space - Taylor Swift
Bad Guy - Billie Eilish
All Too Well - Taylor Swift
We Are Young - fun.
Stay With Me - Sam Smith
Someone Like You - Adele (again, it's a classic!)
Shallow - Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper
A Thousand Years - Christina Perri
Counting Stars - OneRepublic

Conclusion

This extensive list provides a solid foundation for becoming the life of any piano bar gathering. Remember to practice regularly, focus on mastering the chords and melodies, and most importantly, have fun! Your piano bar journey starts now. So, pick a song, start playing, and enjoy the applause! Remember to check out resources like [link to a reputable music theory website] and [link to a piano tutorial website] for help learning these songs. Happy playing!