Everyone likes to enjoy a weekend out every once in a while. Are you thinking about taking a trip to the local bar or even venturing out to the club but not sure what to play? Do you like a variety of music genres?
Bar music might be right for you, you’ve come to the right place because I have explored 25 of the best bar songs out there and I want to share what I found with you. Listed below are what I found to be the top 25 songs, and a short background of each, that you may hear or want to play the next time you are out at the bar.
1. Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd
Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd was produced in the 1970s. Lynard Skynard had many many hits and this one is definitely one of my all-time favorites to jam out to when I’m in the rock n roll mood. This song and many others of Lynard Skynard can still be heard playing today and are almost just as popular with the people of rock n roll genres.
Some other songs that you may have heard by them include free bird and simple man.
2. Don’t stop believing by Journey
Don’t stop believing by Journey produced in 1981 was off of the album escape. Don’t stop believing was an instant hit topping charts at number one in 1981 and staying there for some time. This song also stuck around many years and you can still hear it today in a lot of bars and side joints. Other songs by the journey that you may be familiar with are wheel in the sky, faithfully, and open arms.
3. Friends In Low Places by Garth Brooks
Friends In Low Places by Garth Brooks was produced in the 1990s with the album no fences. This song took Garth Brooks to the top by being one of his best songs ever recorded it’s a very catchy tune and also one of those songs that stay stuck with you and you may find yourself humming it hours later.
Expert Tip: A couple more songs that Garth Brooks made big with are hits like the thunder rolls, wild horses, and the dance.
4. Hit Me With Your Best Shot by Pat Benatar
Hit Me With Your Best Shot by Pat Benatar was produced in the ’80s. Definitely another fave here. I love love love pat Benatar. She’s got some of the greatest 80s hair also. Lol! But with this song you can’t go wrong no matter where you play it it’s always a hit with whatever type of crowd that’s around.
Some more of pat Benatar’s songs are barracuda, love is a battlefield, and Heartbreaker.
5. Old Time Rock N Roll by Bob Segar
Old Time Rock N Roll by Bob Segar was produced in 1978. Oh yes, this kind of music just soothes the soul as the song itself says I know it definitely stands true. This was one of Bob Sears’s big moments in his music career and still lingers today as one of America’s all-time favorites.
Some other hits of Bob Segar that you will enjoy your night moves, turn the page, and against the wind.
6. I Love Rock N Roll by Joan Jett
I Love Rock N Roll by Joan Jett was produced in 1981. Joan Jett, ah yes another 80’s icon that I love. This song fits right in there with hit me with your best shot of Pat Benetar. So yes if you don’t mind put another dime in the jukebox baby and play this song for me one time. You can also check out some of her other top hits bad reputations and crimson and clover.
7. Save A Horse Ride a Cowboy by Big and Rich
Save A Horse Ride a Cowboy by Big and Rich was produced in the ’90s there were a lot of controversies I think around this song because someone came out with inappropriate sayings that were similar to the title. I myself am not a big fan of this one but that’s just me. A lot of country lovers seem to favor it quite a bit.
8. It’s 5 o’clock somewhere by Jason Aldean
It’s 5 o’clock somewhere by Jason Aldean produced in the ’90s another country lovers song for all you people over there. In the right time zone turn up your glasses and have a toast because I’m sure it’s 5 o clock somewhere and time to kick it on back.
Expert Tip: Jason Aldean wrote several other songs I like and they are dirt road anthem, don’t you wanna stay, and burning it down.
9. Pour Some Sugar On Me by Def Leppard
Pour Some Sugar On Me by Def Leppard was produced in 1987 another great 80s song. Out of the album, hysteria comes a great song that sticks around for decades proving to be another one of America’s all-time favorites still today. Some of Def Leppard’s other hits include Hysteria, love bites, and bringing on the heartbreak.
10. Closing Time by Semisonic
Closing Time by Semisonic was produced in the ’90s this song is more of a one-hit-wonder song. I don’t think they had very many songs to tip the chart or leave a lasting name but this one made it and people play it in bars all across America today.
11. Living on a Prayer by Bon Jovi
Living on a Prayer by Bon Jovi was produced in 1990 this song is kind of the slower rock type I think Bon Jovi was really trying to find himself in this Rick n roll hit and maybe his band was also living in prayer at this time seeing that the band had some of their worst troubles around the time this song was released.
Bon Jovi had other hits like the songs It’s my life and you give life a bad name along with many others.
12. Born to be wild by Steppenwolf
Born to be wild by Steppenwolf was produced in the late 70s like 1978. I believe was from the album Steppenwolf this album had many other good hits one of them being a song called magic carpet ride. This was my favorite band I heard them a lot growing up.
13. Red solo cup by Toby Keith
Red solo cup by Toby Keith produced in 2011 is a country song that all the beer pong players live to hear lol. If you’ve ever played beer pong you know what I’m talking about. Toby Keith has a thing with making some pretty good drinking music. So definitely a good one for the bar.
You may have heard other songs by Toby Keith courtesy of the red white and blue, and I’m not as good as I once was and I love this bar.
14. Gin and juice by Snoop Dog
Gin and juice by snoop dog produced in 1993 are of the rap genre. Snoop Dogg is a very famous rapper and has been since day Onegin and juice is a type of drink mixed at bars also another good drinking song for those who prefer rap over the country.
Expert Tip: Some other well-known songs by Snoop are songs like you g wild and free and drop it like it’s hot.
15. Brass monkey by the Beastie Boys
Brass monkey by the Beastie Boys was produced in 1986. The Beastie Boys are a different type genre of music. Their music is like an 80’s hip hop mix with a beatbox another song they sing no sleep till Brooklyn and fight for your right. These songs would also be acceptable in the bar.
16. Margaritaville by Jimmy Buffet
Margaritaville by Jimmy Buffet was produced in 1977 off the album changes in attitudes. Jimmy buffet also has a chain of restaurants named Margaritaville all over the country. Jimmy buffet also wrote old-time classics Boat Drinks and Bama breeze.
17. Baby got back by sir mix a lot
Baby got back by sir mix a lot produced in 1992 is I’m the rap genre sir mix a lot also wrote the song I like big butts that became a huge hit. Sir mix a lot had 9 top songs. But the two I have mentioned were the best in my opinion.
18. Sweet child of mine by guns n roses
Sweet child of mine by guns n roses was released in 1987. Guns n Roses is a rock band with a lot of huge hits that are still popular today, especially amongst the partiers. Some of their other songs include November rain, paradise city, patience, and don’t cry.
Expert Tip: There are many more great hits though. Their song Welcome to the jungle was number one for the group.
19. Wanna be by spice girls
Wanna be by spice girls produced in the ’90s. Spice girls isn’t really a favorite but it seems to be in the majority of bars so I listed it. Spice Girls wasn’t around long the band ended up Breaking up and they all kinds went their own directions.
But some more of their songs you may recognize is if you wanna be my lover, and tell me what you want. Spice girls are of the pop genre.
20. Tipsy by J Kwon
Tipsy by J Kwon was produced in 2004. J Kwon was only 17 when he released the song tipsy. J Kwon is actually of the south Korean nationality. J Kwon’s net worth is about 5 million a year other songs sung by J Kwon are Good Hop and Fly.
21. Escape (the pina colada song) by Rupert Holmes
Escape (the pina colada song) by Rupert Holmes was produced in 1979 and is on the album partners in crime. The song is actually about the singer fixing to leave his wife and he answers an ad in the paper saying yes to liking pina colada and wanting to run away with the other woman. Other songs he sang were Terminal and Answering Machine.
22. Wagon wheel by old crow medicine show
Wagon wheel by old crow medicine show was released in 2004. Old crow medicine show is from Harrisburg VA. The interesting fact if you were to want to book them for a show it would cost you from $200,000- $350,000. I would say that’s making pretty good money on their behalf.
Old Crow Medicine Show also produced the songs sweet Amarillo, Tell it to Me, and Down Homegirl.
23. The real slim shady by Eminem
The real slim shady by Eminem was produced in 2000. This is of the rap genre. The song is themed on the rapper boasting about his disturbing influence on pop culture. Eminem is a well know artist still today and is still producing new music.
Expert Tip: I personally love all of Eminem’s content so I can’t name them all but just to name a few we have, Lose Yourself, Till I Collapse, and The Real Slim Shady. The list could go on and on he has been very successful.
24. American girl by Tom petty
American girl by Tom petty was produced in 1976 the song is written about a college girl who committed suicide by jumping off a balcony of the residence hall at the University of Florida. Dang, that’s kinda sad it’s a fact I didn’t know before today.
Some of my Toy Petty favorites are Last Dance With Mary Jane cause it has my name in it and others like Free falling and I Won’t Back Down.
25. This is how we do it by Montell Jordan
This is how we do it by Montell Jordan produced in the ’90s. Montell Jordan served in the military for 22 years and he is a singer-songwriter and actor. He also sings get it on tonight and let’s ride. He also has his own talk show.
Well, I would think that if you were to go to the bar tonight that you would be well equipped to play some of the best music known to bar hoppers. If you go to a bar nowadays and select to play 25 songs it’s going to probably cost you a little but maybe the guy or gal at the other table will be willing to pitch in.
Either way, if you play these hot 25 songs that I mentioned above you can’t go wrong. I don’t think anyone here will be disappointed and you will definitely be dancing for most of the night with your nonstop hit playlist. No matter what genre of music you might like I’m sure you can find one of your faves in this list.
I made sure to include everything from hip hop, to country and even some oldies. There are other articles out there on different genres of bar music. That you can find.
There are also different types of bars and clubs for example line dancing bars that would probably not appreciate rap music so just remember to know what kind of establishment you will be attending prior to deciding on the music you might play that night. Kinda like dressing for the occasion.
In my list, I tried to include all eras and genres. I hope this article helped you and have a safe great time out at the bar.