Below are the top 10 must-have cover songs to get the crowd singing at your venue! Whether it is a request or on the setlist of your booked band already, they are sure to get the dancing going, the drinks flowing and the voices hitting the high notes (hopefully).

Imagine, it is a Friday afternoon and there is a buzz on the street. Your staff are sitting at your venue waiting for a busy night full of business people looking to wind down and young'uns partying it up. You do not want to miss a chance to have a full bar, a successful night, and some fun for your Friday, so you book your trusty cover band to ensure that all the classics are covered for an inclusive night of sing-alongs.

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1. Crazy - Gnarls Barkley

Originally taking off in the UK solely off downloads, Gnarls Barkley’s single Crazy can only be number one. One of the first to have a viral hit from the internet alone (move over Lil Nas X), Every millennial and their mum knows this track. It is sure to get people singing.

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2. Lonely Boy - The Black Keys

It’s groovy, it’s catchy, it’s Lonely Boy by The Black Keys. Just like Crazy, it followed everyone in their cars, on the radio and into their heads. Now, it’ll follow them into your venue when your cover band gives it a play for everyone to groove.

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3. Mr Brightside - The Killers

It is overplayed, yet somehow Mr Brightside by The Killers still has people singing at the top of their lungs. This track really isn’t a guilty pleasure if everyone is singing along.*

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4. Teenage Dirtbag - Wheatus

*Please see point 3

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5. Riptide - Vance Joy

Scaling the charts with its release,Riptide by Australian treasure Vance Joy is a sweet and simple tune that everyone knows. Whether it's from the radio or the one time you tried to learn the ukulele, Riptide is a catchy song. The lyrics are child friendly and upbeat. Perfect to fight the Sunday scaries.

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6. Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol

Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol is the token track to get everyone in their feels. It will typically end with the audience holding a pint in one hand and their friend in the other.

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7. Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana

It is a classic. According to the University of London, the hit from Nirvana is the most popular song in music. We aren’t saying that to be the most popular venue in the UK, to have your cover band play Smells Like Teen Spirit on repeat. Although, if it really is the most popular song in music, maybe it is worth making a special request.

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8. Are You Gonna Be My Girl - Jet  

All anyone needs to hear is “1, 2, 3, take my hand and come with me” and it’s on.  

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9. Valerie - Mark Ronson ft. Amy Winehouse

There does not need to be a reason to pay homage to the late London treasure Amy Winehouse.

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10. Song 2 - Blur

Song 2 by Blur makes everyone say “WOO-HOO”, quite literally. Covered by artists like Imagine Dragons and My Chemical Romance, it is probably one of the first tracks that your cover bands had learnt when jamming! Commonly known by musicians, it's one for the books, even if your customers don’t know the words, they know (some of) the chorus.

If you're covered with the cover songs and want to take your music offering to new heights then check out our article on the multiverse of music personas that would suit your venue.

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At Surreal we help venues, agencies and entertainers manage live entertainment more efficiently through software - learn more here!

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