Songs
Best Karaoke Duets: 25 Songs for Two (That Aren't All Love Songs)
A duet is the easiest way to get a nervous friend on the mic. Half the lines, half the pressure, and someone right next to you to laugh with when it goes sideways.
Quick answer: The best karaoke duets have a clear back-and-forth so nobody has to guess whose line is next. Start with “Islands in the Stream,” “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” or “Summer Nights.” For two friends rather than a couple, “Under Pressure” and “Love Shack” never miss.
How to pick a duet that works
Most duets that flop do it for one of three reasons.
The parts are lopsided. Some “duets” are really a solo with a guest verse. If one of you sings for three minutes and the other for thirty seconds, pick something else.
The keys don’t suit you both. A duet written for a baritone and a soprano will be hard on two tenors. If the song lets you trade lines rather than harmonize, the key matters a lot less.
Nobody knows who sings what. Agree on the split before the music starts. Tell your partner “you take the first verse, we both sing the chorus” and you avoid the awkward silence where you both wait for the other.
One more thing: two mics, always. Sharing one microphone looks cute for a chorus and terrible for a whole song. You end up leaning in at odd angles and the quieter singer disappears.
Classic duets everyone knows
The safe bets. Your audience will sing along whether you ask them to or not.
1. “Islands in the Stream” - Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton
Why it works: Clean verse-swap structure, a chorus you sing together, and a comfortable range for most voices.
Tip: Let the lower voice take Kenny’s verses. Everyone joins on “sail away with me.”
2. “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” - Elton John & Kiki Dee
Why it works: Short lines bounced back and forth, upbeat tempo, zero big notes.
Tip: The whole song is call and response. Face each other, not the screen.
3. “Summer Nights” - John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John
Why it works: Each singer has their own story, and the “tell me more” backing parts can go to the whole room.
Tip: Recruit the audience as the T-Birds and Pink Ladies before you start.
4. “You’re the One That I Want” - John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John
Why it works: Short, fast and theatrical. Over in under three minutes.
Tip: Sing the “ooh ooh ooh” hook together and ham up the opening lines.
5. “I Got You Babe” - Sonny & Cher
Why it works: Gentle tempo, simple melody, and you trade lines constantly.
Tip: Good first duet for a couple who’ve never sung together.
6. “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” - Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes
Why it works: Starts low and slow so you can settle in, then builds.
Tip: Skip the lift.
7. “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” - Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
Why it works: Motown energy and a hook the room knows by heart.
Tip: Keep the verses light and save your voice for the title line.
8. “Endless Love” - Lionel Richie & Diana Ross
Why it works: Slow, sweet and mostly mid-range.
Tip: Play it completely straight or completely for laughs. Halfway in between is the danger zone.
Duets for friends, not couples
Not every pair at karaoke is a couple. These ones work for two best friends, siblings, or two coworkers who’ve been dared.
9. “Under Pressure” - Queen & David Bowie
Why it works: Two voices trading phrases, plus a bass line everyone hums.
Tip: Split it as Freddie and Bowie and let the room do the “da da da dee da da.”
10. “Love Shack” - The B-52’s
Why it works: Half of it is talk-singing, and the rest is shouting with joy.
Tip: One of you takes Fred Schneider’s spoken lines, the other takes the “love shack, baby” calls. Both of you yell “tin roof, rusted!”
11. “Dancing in the Street” - David Bowie & Mick Jagger
Why it works: Every line is short, and it is pure swagger.
Tip: The 1985 video exists. Recreate it at your own risk.
12. “Don’t You Want Me” - The Human League
Why it works: Two sides of an argument. Each verse belongs to one singer.
Tip: Play it as a bitter breakup and the room will love it.
13. “Jackson” - Johnny Cash & June Carter
Why it works: Low, conversational verses and a married couple roasting each other.
Tip: The sass is the point. Point at your partner on every jab.
14. “Old Town Road (Remix)” - Lil Nas X & Billy Ray Cyrus
Why it works: A tiny range and a verse each.
Tip: Whoever has the deeper voice takes Billy Ray. Bring a hat if you have one.
15. “The Boy Is Mine” - Brandy & Monica
Why it works: Built as a face-off between two singers, so the split is obvious.
Tip: Pick sides beforehand and stay in character to the end.
Country and soft-rock duets
Country does duets better than any other genre. The story carries you even if your pitch wobbles.
16. “Picture” - Kid Rock & Sheryl Crow
Why it works: Slow, simple melody, and each singer has a full verse.
Tip: Stand a little apart. It’s a song about missing someone.
17. “Need You Now” - Lady A
Why it works: Verses alternate between the two voices and the chorus sits in a comfortable range.
Tip: Keep it quiet and late-night. Don’t oversing it.
18. “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” - Stevie Nicks & Tom Petty
Why it works: Laid-back groove, conversational delivery and short phrases.
Tip: Ideal if neither of you likes big notes.
19. “Leather and Lace” - Stevie Nicks & Don Henley
Why it works: Gentle and slow, with lots of room to breathe.
Tip: Good as a wind-down at the end of the night.
20. “Somethin’ Stupid” - Frank & Nancy Sinatra
Why it works: You sing it together almost the whole way through, in a relaxed low range.
Tip: If you can’t harmonize, sing the same melody an octave apart. It still sounds lovely.
Modern duets
More recent picks, for crowds who weren’t alive for “Islands in the Stream.”
21. “Just Give Me a Reason” - P!nk feat. Nate Ruess
Why it works: A real conversation in song form, with very even parts.
Tip: Nate’s part goes high. Drop it an octave if you need to.
22. “Señorita” - Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello
Why it works: Breathy and low, and the parts swap often.
Tip: The “ooh la la la” hook is the whole song. Sing it together.
23. “Say Something” - A Great Big World & Christina Aguilera
Why it works: Slow and quiet, with the second voice coming in partway through.
Tip: A room-silencer. Save it for when people are actually listening.
When you’re feeling brave
Big songs. They’re not easy, but when they land the whole room goes up.
24. “Shallow” - Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper
Why it’s a stretch: The verses are gentle, but the big “ahh” before the final chorus is a serious note.
Tip: Whoever’s braver takes the wail. The other one cheers.
25. “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)” - Aretha Franklin & George Michael
Why it’s a stretch: Two powerhouse vocals and a gospel-style build to the end.
Tip: Don’t copy Aretha’s runs. Sing the plain melody with full commitment and you’ll get the same cheer.
Not quite right for you both? Most karaoke apps let you change the key. Move it toward the lower voice: the higher singer can usually adapt, and the lower one usually can’t.
Getting the sound right for two singers
Two singers means two levels to balance. If one of you is naturally louder, turn their mic down rather than asking the quiet one to shout. If you’re using Seratone, each mic has its own knob for exactly this.
Hearing yourself matters even more in a duet. When there’s a delay between your mouth and the speakers, you drift off the beat and start chasing your partner. It’s the reason many home setups sound messy with two people singing. For more on that, see how to do karaoke at home without a machine.
Just starting out? Our list of easy karaoke songs for beginners has plenty of solo warm-ups, and the home karaoke party guide covers the rest of the night.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest karaoke duet?
“Islands in the Stream” or “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart.” Both split the lines clearly, stay in a comfortable range, and the crowd knows every word.
What’s a good karaoke duet for two friends?
“Under Pressure,” “Love Shack” or “Dancing in the Street.” None of them is a love song, and all three are more fun the more you ham them up.
What if we have very different voices?
Pick a song where you trade lines rather than harmonize, like “Don’t You Want Me” or “Jackson.” Then you each sing in your own range and never have to meet in the middle.
Do we need two microphones for a duet?
You can get by with one, but two is much better. You can each stand comfortably, and you can set each person’s volume on its own.