14 great songs for karaoke duets

It's the weekend and you want to get out and do something fun and different. Karaoke bars are an excellent activity for couples, first dates, and friends alike. It's intimidating to get up in front of a crowd of strangers and belt out a tune alone; instead, find a partner and go for it together! Here are some of the best karaoke duets, which are certain to leave everyone in the room with a smile on their face.

• Whether you are just starting to get to know someone or you've been together for years, chances are you probably don't want to go with any duets that are overly sentimental in front of a group of strangers.
• The laid-back Sonny and Cher classic, I've Got you Babe, is sweet but not overly melodramatic, as is Don't Go Breaking My Heart by Elton John and Kiki Dee.
• You're the One that I Want and Summer Nights, two songs originally sung by John Travolta and Olivia Newton John in the classic musical Grease, are great karaoke duets.
• If you're feeling daring, try singing the eight-minute, classic rock anthem Paradise by the Dashboard Lights, by Meatloaf and Ellen Foley. This rollicking duet about teenage lust is lengthy and risque, but a blast to perform.
• Other crowd-pleasing choices include I Knew You Were Waiting for Me, by Aretha Franklin and George Michael, Stop Dragging My Heart Around, by Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks, Don't You Want Me Baby, by Human League, and Love Shack, by the B-52s.

• The last thing you probably want to do in a room filled with strangers is get too mushy with your friends, so it's best to stay far away from slow love songs.
• Say, Say, Say, originally performed by Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson, is a foot-tapping number, as is Under Pressure, by David Bowie and Queen.
• What Have I Done to Deserve This, by the Pet Shop Boys and Dusty Springfield is a timeless new wave number; the Bon Jovi and Jennifer Nettles ditty, Who Says You Can't Go Home, is catchy and upbeat.
• For a fun, country tune, It's Five O'Clock Somewhere by Jimmy Buffett and Alan Jackson will have the whole crowd chiming in.