"Too Black" or "Not Black Enough": W. Kamau Bell on the Politics of Black Identity
Subtitles
  • Off
  • English

More White Songs That Are Such Bangers That Black Folks Can't Stop Singing Every Word

More White Songs That Are Such Bangers That Black Folks Can't Stop Singing Every Word

Paramore, Queen and Kelly Clarkson are some of the artists whose hits we know every word to.

We may earn a commission from links on this page.
Start Slideshow
Start Slideshow
Image for article titled More White Songs That Are Such Bangers That Black Folks Can't Stop Singing Every Word
Photo: Noam Galai/TAS24, FG/Bauer-Griffin, Theo Wargo (Getty Images)

Sometimes a song hits a chord with listeners, transcending genres and generations. These are classics that have stood the test of time. Supermarkets, doctor’s offices, restaurants, it doesn’t matter where you are or what you’re doing, when it comes on, you’re absolutely singing along. For Black folks, there’s a special category for white songs that we love. As we prepare for all our holiday celebrations, make sure you add a few of these to the playlist, so everyone can enjoy a party wide sing along. These are our picks for white songs that Black people know all the words to.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

2 / 30

‘Holiday’ - Madonna

‘Holiday’ - Madonna

Madonna - Holiday (Live from Solid Gold 1984) [Official Video]

There are very few of her early ‘80s hits that Madonna still performs. One of those is “Holiday.” That dance beat still gets fans moving and instantly singing. It reminds us of the first time we heard her back in the day.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

3 / 30

‘Hotel California’ - Eagles

‘Hotel California’ - Eagles

Eagles - Hotel California (Live 1977) (Official Video) [HD]

Haunting and beautifully sung, “Hotel California” is a banger that sticks in your head, but if we are to be honest, it’s definitely one of those late night bar classics that hits hard after a few rounds.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

4 / 30

‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ - Rick Astley

‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ - Rick Astley

Rick Astley - Never Gonna Give You Up (Official Music Video)

There was a point where some music fans tried to act like they were too cool for Rick Astley. That’s why “Rickrolling” became such a viral internet sensation. Some of y’all needed to be reminded that he had serious soul and could sing. Don’t act like it’s not on your ‘80s playlist.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

5 / 30

‘Lost Without You’ - Robin Thicke

‘Lost Without You’ - Robin Thicke

Robin Thicke - Lost Without U (Official Music Video)

“Lost Without You” is such a beautiful song, we understand why everyone wanted their special cover of it out there. There was a slight backlash after it got overplayed, but it’s come back around and can be appreciated again.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

6 / 30

‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ - Queen

‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ - Queen

Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody (Official Video Remastered)

Freddie Mercury has one of the most fantastic and unique voices in music history. If you can hit his notes, God bless you. What makes “Bohemian Rhapsody” so fun is that it actually feels like three songs in one.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

7 / 30

‘Sweet Caroline’ - Neil Diamond

‘Sweet Caroline’ - Neil Diamond

Neil Diamond - Sweet Caroline (Live At The Greek Theatre / 2012)

We saw you on the jumbotron at the game belting out “Sweet Caroline” at the top of your lungs. Don’t even try and act like that wasn’t you. Ans we know you were extra loud on the “so good, so good, so good,” section.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

8 / 30

‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ - Nirvana

‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ - Nirvana

Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit (Official Music Video)

We didn’t understand everything Kurt Cobain was saying the first few times we heard this one, but after 30 years of singing along, we think we’ve almost got it.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

9 / 30

‘Careless Whisper’ - Wham

‘Careless Whisper’ - Wham

George Michael - Careless Whisper (Official Video)

Do not listen to “Careless Whisper” after a breakup because nothing good can come from it. George Michael is embodying all our feelings on this classic and it inevitably leads to a sloppy, tear-stained version.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

10 / 30

‘Don’t Stop Believin’’ - Journey

‘Don’t Stop Believin’’ - Journey

Journey - Don’t Stop Believin’ (Live 1981: Escape Tour - 2022 HD Remaster)

Long before “Glee” sort of ruined it for everyone, this was a karaoke favorite that would get everyone singing. And if you don’t have a “Best of Journey” playlist, what are you doing with your life?

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

11 / 30

‘Pumped Up Kicks’ - Foster the People

‘Pumped Up Kicks’ - Foster the People

Foster The People - Pumped Up Kicks (Official Video)

It feels like this 2011 hit made the list out of sheer force of will. When it was out, you couldn’t get away from it. It was literally everywhere, so it was impossible not to learn every word.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

12 / 30

‘Misery Business’ - Paramore

‘Misery Business’ - Paramore

Paramore: Misery Business [OFFICIAL VIDEO]

Don’t act like we were the only ones with volume turned way up and belting out that chorus. We know at least one NBA Champion who would agree.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

13 / 30

‘Livin’ On A Prayer’ - Bon Jovi

‘Livin’ On A Prayer’ - Bon Jovi

Bon Jovi - Livin’ On A Prayer

If you need an fun party starter, Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ On A Prayer” will lead to an instant party wide sing-a-long.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

14 / 30

‘I Want It That Way’ - Backstreet Boys

‘I Want It That Way’ - Backstreet Boys

Backstreet Boys - I Want It That Way (Official HD Video)

It was a close call between this and “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back),” but if you’ve ever been in a supermarket when “I Want It That Way” comes on, you know this is the one that has everyone singing.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

15 / 30

‘A Thousand Miles’ - Vanessa Carlton

‘A Thousand Miles’ - Vanessa Carlton

White Chicks - A Thousand Miles Latrell Scene (Terry Crews) in HD

Vanessa Carlton made a lovely song, but we know it was Shawn and Marlon Wayans including it in “White Chicks” and Terry Crews totally committing to the bit that made us love it.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

16 / 30

‘This Love’ - Maroon 5

‘This Love’ - Maroon 5

Maroon 5 - This Love

Remember when Maroon 5 first came out, you heard Adam Levine’s sing and thought who is this guy? The group may have fallen off a little, but those early tracks like “This Love” still go hard.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

17 / 30

‘Creep’ - Radiohead

‘Creep’ - Radiohead

Radiohead - Creep

Black folks love this song. Gen X we are about you! Break out your Doc Martins and flannel, because we know you return to your moody teen years every time you hear Radiohead’s “Creep.” For a special bonus, check out Prince’s amazing cover from Coachella.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

18 / 30

‘I Write Sins Not Tragedies’ - Panic! At The Disco

‘I Write Sins Not Tragedies’ - Panic! At The Disco

Panic! At The Disco: I Write Sins Not Tragedies [OFFICIAL VIDEO]

The early 2000s pop/punk craze gave us a lot of fun music, but there’s something about the theatrics of Panic! At The Disco that seemed to resonate with Black fans. Plus, that video was a mainstay on “TRL.” We know you had black nail polish too.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

19 / 30

‘Time After Time’ - Cyndi Lauper

‘Time After Time’ - Cyndi Lauper

Cyndi Lauper - Time After Time (Official HD Video)

We could’ve gone with “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” or “True Colors,” but ultimately we went with “Time After Time,” because that chorus hits every single time.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

20 / 30

‘Rollin’ in the Deep’ - Adele

‘Rollin’ in the Deep’ - Adele

Adele - Rolling in the Deep (Official Music Video)

The sheer number of covers that came out after Adele dropped this hit proves that this one was an instant classic. Honorable mention for “Someone Like You.”

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

21 / 30

‘What You Won’t Do for Love’ - Bobby Caldwell

‘What You Won’t Do for Love’ - Bobby Caldwell

What You Won’t Do for Love

There are still people who are just discovering that Bobby Caldwell is white. He was “blue eyed soul” before it was a thing.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

22 / 30

‘I Keep Forgettin’’ - Michael McDonald

‘I Keep Forgettin’’ - Michael McDonald

Michael McDonald - I Keep Forgettin’ (Every Time You’re Near) (Official Music Video)

From the Doobie Brothers, to his solo career, Michael McDonald perfected blended rock and soul. We had plenty of classic to choose from, but went with “I Keep Forgettin,’” because he really put his foot in this one. It hits different.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

23 / 30

‘Let’s Dance’ - David Bowie

‘Let’s Dance’ - David Bowie

David Bowie - Let’s Dance (Official Video)

David Bowie could literally sing in any style and make it his own. When he brought the soul with Nile Rodgers, he delievered this catchy, fun track that we’re still singing along to.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

24 / 30

‘Since U Been Gone’ - Kelly Clarkson

‘Since U Been Gone’ - Kelly Clarkson

Kelly Clarkson - Since U Been Gone (VIDEO)

It’s the way the song builds to that epic chorus that gets us so hype. You can put this on and the toughest, hardest person you know will end up belting, “Since u been gone / I can breathe for the first time!”

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

25 / 30

‘Sara Smile’ - Hall & Oates

‘Sara Smile’ - Hall & Oates

Daryl Hall & John Oates - Sara Smile (Official Audio)

It doesn’t matter what kind of party or event you’re throwing, Hall & Oates always hits. It was really tough to narrow it down to “Sara Smile,” which is such a beautiful song, but in the end, it was the Daryl Hall adds a little something extra on “When I feel cold, you warm me / And when I feel I can’t go on / You come and hold me / It’s you and me forever / Sara, smile.”

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

26 / 30

‘They Don’t Know’

‘They Don’t Know’

Jon B. - They Don’t Know (Official Video)

Some songs will instantly take you back to a moment and a place every time you hear it, and that’s how “They Don’t Know” feels to fans of a certain age.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

27 / 30

‘Every Breath You Take’ - The Police

‘Every Breath You Take’ - The Police

The Police - Every Breath You Take (Official Music Video)

There’s a reason this was chosen as the sample beat for “I’ll Be Missing You.” Black people already had a connection to it, so everyone knew it would be the right choice to honor Biggie.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

28 / 30

‘Bring Me to Life’ - Evanescence

‘Bring Me to Life’ - Evanescence

Evanescence - Bring Me To Life (Official HD Music Video)

None of us has a vocal range like Amy Lee, but that doesn’t stop us from going for it on the operatic rock favorite. You know you become your full, dramatic self while singing this one.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

29 / 30

‘Hold On’ - Wilson Phillips

‘Hold On’ - Wilson Phillips

Wilson Phillips - Hold On (Official Music Video)

The 2011 movie “Bridesmaids” introduced this Wilson Phillips song to a new generation, but ‘90s kids already knew how good “Hold On” is. It may be a little corny to modern music fans, but it has lighthearted, fun quality that never goes out of style.

Advertisement