Name the best crowd participation concert song

CaseyJA Mon, Jun 29, 2009 at 07:03 AM EST

John Prine.Illegal Smile.Lots of laughter and singing along.

manny v Thu, Apr 9, 2009 at 07:41 PM EST

Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, actually pretty much anywhere in south america is better, have you ever seen a soccer match in argentina? it's the exact experience in a concert.

JohnnyEnglish Thu, Jan 8, 2009 at 07:27 PM EST

Angels at knebworth - robbie williams

And check out she's the one

Kathy Sat, Dec 6, 2008 at 04:54 PM EST

I've seen Neil Diamond twice in concert (and my teenage daughter just bought us tickets for next week's concert in KC for Christmas!) and "Sweet Caroline" is the best sing-along! He's amazing live. Close second: Queen "Bohemian Rhapsody"...best band in concert EVER (saw them twice, also, 8th row floor the second time...at the feet of the GOD Freddie Mercury) One of the greatest experiences of my life!!

jennijenn Wed, Nov 26, 2008 at 11:15 AM EST

Barenaked Ladies "if I had a million dollars" -if they don't take your mac+cheese at the door-everyone throws it when the sing the part "we wouldn't have to eat kraft dinner.." i've seen them a number of times and that is the best-they are also very funny :)

Mike Handley Sat, Nov 8, 2008 at 08:00 PM EST

Fear of the Dark by Iron Maiden. This song from Rock in Rio in 2001 is the Best example of a crowd song. You should look it up on Youtube even if you don't like Metal.

lbh Sun, Aug 31, 2008 at 10:14 PM EST

iron maiden-rio-fear of the dark, the crowd was singing along to the guitars.

PerrysGirl Mon, Aug 25, 2008 at 04:47 PM EST

"Don't Stop Believin'"by Journey WITH Steve Perry, actually ANY Journey song WITH Steve Perry. Also "Oh Sherrie" by Steve Perry are great sing-a-alongs.

Shorty Mon, Aug 25, 2008 at 01:08 PM EST

I saw Billy Joel and Elton John on a double ticket in middle school. The last song in Billy's set was "Piano Man." Everybody who had a cigarette lighter broke one out and waved it. Every member of the 20K audience began to sing; after a couple of verses, Billy stopped and let the crowd take over. I shouted the lyrics as loud as my 12-year-old lungs would permit (had one heck of a sore throat the next day). I had shivers going up my spine and goosebumps on my arms the entire time; it was an unforgettable, awesome experience.
Summer of '04 I saw Charlie Daniels at the state fair. When he played "The Devil Went Down to Georgia," the whole place went CRAZY! Especially at the end, shouting, "I done told you once, you S-O-B, I'm the best there's ever been." The crowd went pretty wild for "The South's Gonna Do It Again" too.

Jessica S Fri, Aug 22, 2008 at 09:09 PM EST

Oh and I drove by an outdoor Bon Jovi show a few summers ago and the decibel level shot up when the band kicked into "Livin On A Prayer". It was so loud my car shook-while I was stopped at the light!

Jessica S Fri, Aug 22, 2008 at 09:07 PM EST

When I saw Tom Petty a few years ago the entire crowd(thousands of people) broke out their lighters-along with, ermmm, things that need to be lit-for Free Fallin'. Having that many people singing along to a classic is quite the thrill. Petty himself even commented on it...Great night!

Brian Wed, Aug 20, 2008 at 03:57 PM EST

As mentioned several times already you should check out a live Pearl Jam show. "Betterman" and "Small Town" usually garner the most crowd participation.

Anubeeone Wed, Aug 20, 2008 at 03:04 PM EST

Wow, I think I am in the alternative rock minority here . . . but these are the best crowd participation songs I have witnessed from concerts:
- Why Can't I Be You? from The Cure
- Only from Nine Inch Nails
- The Hand That Feeds from NIN
- There, There from Radiohead
actually anything by either Radiohead and NIN. The crowds always sing along with Trent and Thom.

The Ox Wed, Aug 20, 2008 at 02:56 PM EST

Baba O'Riley by The Who! "Don't cry...."

Bon Jovi Rocks Wed, Aug 20, 2008 at 12:41 PM EST

After watching the Neil Diamond clip, I'll agree - great audience participation but hands down Bon Jovi Livin on a Prayer rules. Anyone who saw a show on the Lost Highway tour would agree!

sdr Wed, Aug 20, 2008 at 12:38 PM EST

'we are gonna be friends' and 'hotel yorba' by the white stripes.

ihatescreennames Wed, Aug 20, 2008 at 12:27 PM EST

FOO FIGHTERS--chorus in Monkeywrench, and of course, Best of You--the entire crowd "sings" that one....best concerts ever!

MD Wed, Aug 20, 2008 at 08:13 AM EST

Free Falling & Learning to Fly - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Iris - Goo Goo Dolls

queen of disrepair Wed, Aug 20, 2008 at 08:11 AM EST

hahahah....all those people in NYC singing along to the Red Sox mascot song.......wonder if any Yankee fans crossed their arms and refused to particpate out of loyalty to their team? Having taken my daughter to several concerts, it seems like the Fall Out Boy crowd treats every song like a sing-a-long. Best moment for me in concert, singing along with Bruce doing "Santa Claus is coming to town" at the Boston Garden just before Christmas in the early 80's.

Clay Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 11:44 PM EST

Up Against The Wall, Redneck Mother-Jerry Jeff Walker

Valentino R Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 09:51 PM EST

What about LOLA by the Kinks. Good bar tune that gets everyone singing.

Joe Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 09:21 PM EST

I can't believe no one mentioned Live's "Lightning Crashes" on here. Goosebumps.

Crystal Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 07:48 PM EST

Saw Tom Petty in concert at the Hollywood Bowl last month. He did "learning to fly" acoustically and the crowd sang the chorus (with no assist, he just did the backup). It actually gave me chills.

bongiovi-angel Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 07:34 PM EST

Bon Jovi "LIVING ON A PRAYER" - crowd participation for this song is INSANE!!

Allison Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 07:05 PM EST

I ditto all the "Piano Man" comments and add any Eagles song!

Greg Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 07:04 PM EST

Pearl Jam - Betterman. Great crowd participation and gives me chills every time. See Bonnaroo clips on youtube to see for yourself.

Karrah Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 06:08 PM EST

'Pour Some Sugar On Me"!

I also have to represent the country genre... When I saw Tim McGraw live, the audience sang an entire verse of "Don't Take the Girl"... Also Garth Brooks' "Friends in Low Places".

Brie Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 05:50 PM EST

Even though I'm a huge BNL fan and think the concert sing-along to "If I had a $1,000,000" is awesome, I have to go with the acoustic version of "My Hero" by the Foo Fighters. I recently went to their concert with my husband, and I liked the Foos, but this version of the song made me a fan. It's hauntingly beautiful and the entire audience is jammed around a small stage on the opposite end of the arena and Dave Grohl just stops singing as the audience screams "There goes my hero...he's ordinary!!!!"

I purchased their live album because of that performance and I think the song has probably cracked my Top 25 playlist because it's an automatic repeat when it pops up on my iPod.

cajunsblues Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 05:48 PM EST

I think Freebird falls under part sing along part air guitar song

Heather Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 05:39 PM EST

Anyone mention "Free Bird"? That one comes to mind.

I would also like to add "Cute without the E" by Taking Back Sunday and "Teenagers" by My Chemical Romance. Emo kids do sing too.

DanOregon Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 05:36 PM EST

Million Dollars - Barenaked Ladies
Why Don't We Get Drunk and Screw - James Buffett.

Los Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 05:09 PM EST

I couldn't think of a better crowd participation song than Pearl Jam's "Betterman". When I saw them play in S.F. the last time they were there, all Eddie sang was the first lyric, and he stopped because almost everybody in the crowd picked up where he left off for the rest of the first verse. The WHOLE VERSE! Eddie then joined the crowd when the chorus kicked in.

Charley Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 05:08 PM EST

I saw the first show of George Michael's tour this year and the crowd was really into it, but I did not expect the massive singalong when he performed "Careless Whisper" and judging by his reaction, neither did he. The crowd actually sang louder than the band and George just stood there grinning. He got down on his hands and knees and bowed to the crowd when the song finished. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't actually been there....

Rahul Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 05:06 PM EST

Gotta represent Depeche Mode:

'Never Let Me Down Again'
'Personal Jesus'

Sandy Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 05:05 PM EST

I see that somebody's already mentioned "Piano Man" but I have another one. I saw Howard Jones at a fair in California back in the early nineties and the crowd sing-a-long he encouraged for "No One is to Blame" still gives me goosebumps when I remember it. He asked the crowd to grab the hand of the person on either side of them and everyone (at least in my section) actually did, and all you could see were swaying hands. He stopped the band and just sat at his piano (he alternated using a piano and a keyboard during the show)with this amazed look on his face. It was an amazing few minutes....

Shannon Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 04:49 PM EST

Livin' on a Prayer-Bon Jovi! Especially in front of a home town crowd.

dj Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 04:45 PM EST

Angels - Robbie Williams. Have a look at the Slane Castle (80,000 fans) or the Knebworth (125,000 fans) concerts. A-W-E-S-O-M-E

Abby Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 03:55 PM EST

"Piano Man" at a Billy Joel concert. Can't be beat.

Mikerman Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 03:37 PM EST

I just saw Crue Fest and Buckcherry's 'Everything' was a giant sing along. I like it as a radio friendly rock tune but the sing along gave me goose bumps!!

Tom Petty's Free Fallin is another great one.

ednigma Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 03:26 PM EST

Pearl Jam- Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town.. "I Just want to scream-
HEEEEELLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO......" listen to a live recording of it and you wouldn't even have any idea of the chills you get when you are there screaming it in person

Mary Cullen (LOVES GREEN DAY) Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 03:19 PM EST

'Longview' or 'Basketcase' from Green Day.
Well, actually probably any song at one of their concerts... :)

CAJUNSBLUES Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 03:15 PM EST

Recently on Cruefest, Motley Crue did Home Sweet Home. The whole place was electric.

Carl Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 03:10 PM EST

As stated before, lots of Dave Matthews Band songs:

Ants Marching
All Along the Watchtower
Warehouse - "Whoo!"
Typical Situation
Jimi Thing

Lila Grace Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 03:07 PM EST

"If I had $1,000,000" by the Barenaked Ladies. The echoing on the song makes it a crowd-participation classic.

BJM Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 02:58 PM EST

Oasis - Don't Look Back in Anger
Bon Jovi - Livin' on a Prayer
Bryan Adams - Summer of '69
O.A.R. - That Was a Crazy Game of Poker

Jeanne Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 02:42 PM EST

Styx - Come Sail Away

Jen Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 02:40 PM EST

Ben Folds. "B**ches Ain't S**t."

Katie Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 02:21 PM EST

Well, I'm going to mellow things out a bit...I always enjoy seeing the Indigo Girls and while people sing along to a lot of the songs, "Closer to Fine" always gets everyone going!

Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 01:54 PM EST

U2 - 40! It keeps going out into the parking lot!

Hoooooooow Lonnnnnnnnnnng to Sing This Sonnnnnnnnnnnnng....

monica Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 01:43 PM EST

my friend dragged me to a maroon 5 concert and i didn't want to go because I didn't like their last album, but they surprisingly sang way more from "Songs About Jane" and i knew all the words...and apparently so did everyone else in the audience (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O__ZUlVa1Ws). I also went to Zooptopia and everybody sang every word to every song performed by The Fray. That was amazing. I can't imagine what it feels like to be a songwriter or singer and have an arena full of people know every word to your song.

strickens_girl Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 01:37 PM EST

I have to second BareNaked Ladies "If I had a Million Dollars". Mac and Cheese flying everywhere and the crowd singing their own part of the song make it so much fun. One of the best live shows EVAR!!

Nanci Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 01:37 PM EST

U2 - 40 and Pride (in the Name of Love)
Barenaked Ladies - If I Had $1 Million

Lori Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 01:28 PM EST

Dude. BareNaked Ladies "if I Had $1,000,000". Any sing-a-long that involves throwing both mac and cheese and undies at the stage is a winner in my book. And the lyrics! C'mon! "I would by you a monkey. I bet you always wanted a monkey!"

LL Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 01:20 PM EST

I had way too much fun singing (or maybe screaming) every word to "Southern Cross" at Jimmy Buffett's show at the Garden last year. He saved it till the end and it's my absolute favorite song of his. Of course, Margaritaville is a pretty good sing-along song too, but Southern Cross is more badass.

randall Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 01:03 PM EST

I have wonderful memories of Sting closing his set at an Anmesty International show at Maple Leaf Gardens with a 'Message in a Bottle' sing-along (sending out an SOS, sending out an SOS, sending out an SOS...)and the Violent Femmes' sing-along fade-out on Candlelight Song at Toronto's Concert Hall (listen to the song, sing along, listen to the song, sing along...)

mia Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 12:58 PM EST

The Police - Roxanne!
just saw the final show at Madison Sq. Garden and they rocked the house with over 15K people chanting.

sjersey Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 12:57 PM EST

Bon Jovi's "Livin' on a Prayer". I have no voice after singing that one.

Tate Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 12:42 PM EST

Oooh, did anyone mention Queen's "Radio Ga Ga"?

And I have to toss another Dokken one in for Patterson - how about "It's Not Love"?

Tate Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 12:40 PM EST

I seem to remember Bruce turning over the first verse of "Hungry Heart" to the crowd on that huge live collection that came out 20 years ago, as well.

JKBopinion Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 12:39 PM EST

How about Al Green's "Let's Stay Together"? Did anyone see his performance at the BET awards this year? The entire crowd (from the balcony fans, to the bodyguards in the back, to the star-studded front row) were singing along. It was pretty amazing!

Eric Friedmann Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 12:25 PM EST

"Hey Jude" at a live Paul McCartney show!

sassygal Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 12:21 PM EST

Everlong by the Foo - acoustic or electric. I never leave with my voice intact, then again neither does Dave! Monkey Wrench is a close second.

Anne Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 12:21 PM EST

The first song I thought of was "Sweet Home Alabama" with "Freebird" right behind it. A lot of fun, especially if you are seated with a bunch of drunk and wild trash. I agree with Born to Run.

Snarf Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 12:19 PM EST

Depeche Mode - Everything Counts
Sarah McLachlin - Ice Cream
Celine Dion - Love Can Move Mountains

Chris Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 12:15 PM EST

Foo Fighters' "My Hero". The band basically plays accompaniment at one point and lets the crowd sing. They even bring the house lights up so you can see the rest of the mass of humanity singing as one.

Sheryl Crow's "The First Cut Is The Deepest" is also very good for singing along.

WenTex Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 12:11 PM EST

"Jimi Thing" - Dave Matthews band....or "Ants Marching" ...the best audiences around!

Rich Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 12:06 PM EST

I've seen Ben Folds do the "lead the crowd in a singalong" before. Good stuff.

You can't top the Boss tho. Saw Bruce this weekend and there's no feeling like the whole arena singing along to "Born To Run" with all the houselights on. As a bonus, we also got "Hungry Heart," where Bruce turns the entire 1st verse over to the crowd... Awesome...

Tipper Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 12:01 PM EST

Oh, I think you nailed the number one! Love that song! But I'd add in second place these three: "Hey Jude" (thousands of people singing with Paul McCartney in Glastonbury!), "Living on a Prayer", and Barenaked Ladies, "If I Had a Million Dollars." If you've ever been to one of BNL's concerts, there's nothing quite like the Kraft Mac & Cheese moment...

idigress Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 12:00 PM EST

Let's Go Crazy - Prince!

The whole crowd screaming "OH NO LET'S GO" is just the best!!

Tate Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 11:57 AM EST

Lindsey has a point with "Fins", although I didn't occur to me, because I was thinking exclusively of sing-alongs. The pressed together palm thing - "Fins to the left, Fins to the Right" and then the overhead clapping. Yeah, that counts. Much fun doing that in New Orleans 1993!!!

mark in nyc Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 11:50 AM EST

Best: Paul McCartney "Hey Jude" na, na, na, na, na ,na ,na.
Worst: Paul McCartney "FREEDOM"

Lindsey Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 11:47 AM EST

Fins from Jimmy Buffett! Margaritaville also usually gets a lot of crowd participation. If there were ever crazy fans, Parrotheads are the ones!

Jen Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 11:43 AM EST

Agreed on both Ben Folds sing-alongs, but I'm throwing my vote in for Weezer's "El Scorcho". I've never had more fun than I did in an arena full of people screaming along to that song. Good stuff.

mjade27 Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 11:40 AM EST

When Billy Joel performs "Piano Man" he doesn't have to sing at all. The audience takes care of it for him.

Mari Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 11:38 AM EST

Wendy D....you are correct about "Hey Jude". I saw Macca's 2005 tour, and it was the highlight of the show. I was 17 rows from the stage and having him stand up and lead the entire audience through the "na, na, na...hey Jude" chorus was amazing with 20,000 people singing along. It gives me goose bumps just thinking of it!
Also, I would have to add Pink Floyd's "Run Like Hell"...saw them in '94 and 40,000 people had their fists pumped in the air yelling "run, run, run" at the top of their lungs...at the end of a fantastic show! And having seen Springsteen, I also agree with "Born to Run"...another amazing time.

Tina Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 11:35 AM EST

I was at that show Friday night and Mandi, you've got to admit that Coming to America came in a close second to Sweet Caroline for audience sing alongs. Best birthday present ever according to my mom

Tate Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 11:25 AM EST

Busting out the Ben Folds playlist on my ipod right now...damn you all!!!

What about the version of "Pride (In The Name Of Love)" that appears on U2's "Rattle and Hum"? That's pretty sing-alongish, too...

Cricket Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 11:24 AM EST

My nominees:
Don't Stop Believin' - Journey
We Will Rock You - Queen
You Shook Me All Night Long - AC/DC
Mas Tequila - Sammy Hagar
Enter Sandman - Metallica (nothing gives me chills more than an entire audience chanting the prayer back at him. It bordered on creepy!)
Pour Some Sugar on Me - Def Lepard
Rock You Like a Hurricane - Scorpions
Most bands today will never have the same stadium experience that the classic bands had.

Tate Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 11:23 AM EST

And not that it has anything to do with the sing-along topic, but it's complete comedy at the end of "Army" how he changes the words to "Thought about...your Mommy"!

Jeanne Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 11:22 AM EST

Thirding the vote for Ben Folds' Army. I don't remember if I was in the trumpet or saxophone half of the audience but we were a damn fine horn section.

Indigo Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 11:09 AM EST

It has to be “Sexy Back” by Justin Timberlake. The lyrics are simple; the beat is infectious; and after a cocktail or two, you are convinced YOU are bringing sexy back even if that’s definitely not the case. I saw him perform it two years ago at the House of Blues in Chicago and the entire performance was electric. The floor was bouncing, people were stripping and everyone was screaming so loud that JT himself could barely be heard.

Sports Chick Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 11:05 AM EST

Nothing tops singing "Born to Run" with Bruce and crew at the Garden!

KLF Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 10:57 AM EST

AC/DC's "A Whole Lotta Rosie" makes me scream like a banshee!

Sean Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 10:54 AM EST

Purple Rain by Prince
Biko by Peter Gabriel
We Will Rock You by Queen

Who dude Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 10:54 AM EST

"THERE ALLLL WAY-STEAD!!!!!!" - EVERYBODY screams on Baba O'Rily when The Who perform it.

Amanda Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 10:51 AM EST

I would definitely have to back up the claim that "Army" by Ben Folds is at the top of the list. The audience is split in two and each half sings a different part of the instrumentals (since he couldn't have a full brass section at the concert.) It's wicked!

Ellie Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 10:51 AM EST

What about Billy Joel, Piano Man...or Journey, Lovin, Touchin, Squeezin,?

Tate Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 10:46 AM EST

If we are talking Ben Folds and three-part harmony sing-alongs, let's not forget "Army". That dude's got so much talent.

Lauren Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 10:41 AM EST

Anything with They Might Be Giants or Weird Al Yankovic...so much fun. Weird Al is especially cool because his concerts have fans of every age (I'm a 28-year-old woman, and enjoyed the show just as much as my mother and my 18-year-old brother).

Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 10:34 AM EST

how about sing-along concerts? The last one I went to - Matchbox Twenty - everyone was singing along. Alanis Morrisette was with them - so we all did You Oughta Know with the same, uh, gusto, as she did originally.
But I agree with whoever nominated U2 as well

sms Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 10:31 AM EST

obv, Born to Run. Or Badlands.

Tate Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 10:29 AM EST

Oops, sorry. That song is "Santeria". Might have been important to add that to the post, huh?

Tate Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 10:29 AM EST

Not that I am a huge Sublime fan, but there is a live version out there where it's only the fans singing. I think it was a tribute to Brad or something. Pretty chilling...

Kay Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 10:26 AM EST

Got to be Rod Stewart - Maggie May!

Patterson Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 10:24 AM EST

"Heaven Sent" by Dokken. It's probably not the best, but it's worth a mention.

Scott P Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 10:17 AM EST

I'd vote for either:

Bruce Springsteen - Born To Run - You haven't lived until you've heard 30 or 40,000 people shout with the band when the song comes out of the solo

or I agree with SJ, Ben Folds' "Not the Same" is amazing live, since he can get any crowd to do a perfect three part melody with him on it.

Scott Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 10:14 AM EST

Metallica - Creeping Death
everyone singing Die Die Die Die

spammy Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 10:11 AM EST

What about " Wish you were Here" at a Pink Floyd Show?.. and dont forget your lighter!

Hayley Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 10:06 AM EST

Thunder Road, Bruce Springsteen - on the reunion tour in 1999. I was 16 and it blew my mind.

katie g Tue, Aug 19, 2008 at 10:04 AM EST

I saw Paul Simon in concert in Brussels in July....
and let me tell you, the WHOLE audience - english, french and flemish - were singing along to 'You can call me Al' with gusto!