Song suggestions for a singalong for drunk 50 year olds

allen

Hi there,

About 30 old friends are getting together for a party on 28th December. A couple of them like a singsong once they have a few drinks.

So I've been asked to bring my guitar and lead a bit of a singalong. I don't really know any songs (off by heart).

Equipment wise I'm thinking of taking my 12 string acoustic as that is probably going to make the biggest sound. I could take an amp and an electric guitar, but it's going to be way too much of a kerfuffle and not lend itself to the casual nature of the thing.

I checked out the excellent thread on here that has the single chord progression songs so I might take a few of those as remembering the chords is one of my worst skills.

It's been suggested that I print out a few songsheets with lyrics on them. 

Any suggestions of songs or tips?

PS I've also got a semi-pro singer who is going to start by leading a few songs.

PPS These people are not musos - Come on Eileen was probably the pinnacle of their musical experience

Paul7926

Absolutely nothing wrong with a crowd chanting to 'Come on Eileen'.  Given the time of year 'Fairytale of New York' might work too.  How about the not so classic 'Swords of a Thousand Men' by Tenpole Tudor.

Also maybe:

Sweet Caroline
Living on a Prayer
Sweet Home Alabama

EDIT to add

Summer of 69
Born in the U.S.A.

merlin

Bohemian Rhapsody. 
My Old Man's A Dustman. 

sw67

500 miles - easy to play

simonk

Don Mclean - American Pie
Oasis - Wonderwall and Whatever 

ESBlonde

Hey Jude.

allen

Thanks guys/gals

Here's the setlist that I'm going for. My singer's dropped out (bottled it!)

1.    Daydream believer

2.    Hey Jude

3.    Don’t look back in anger

4.    American Pie

5.    Sweet Caroline

6.    Wonderwall

7.    500 miles

8.  Hit the road jack (Am G F E7)

9.  Help me make it through the night

allen

Went pretty well last night...I'd say American Pie was the most popular song - wonderwall the least.

simonk

Excellent, glad it went well

Nitefly

Well played, mister!!  Did you manage to remember all the chords?

As it happens, I was doing a similar thing for a smaller bunch of 60-odd-year-olds - we had more Eagles songs than anything, but the show-stopper was "Pretty Woman" by Roy Orbison. 

It's 25 years since the singer and I first rehearsed it, and probably 20 since we last sang it together, but we absolutely nailed it, much to our relief!

Planning to do it again?

allen

I didn't learn the chords. Had a little folder with the chords in. My girlfriend had to hold up the torch on her phone so that I could see them!

I could see pretty woman working for that crowd the other night too. Not so good on a 12 string though - that riff doesn't really work unless it's a six string.

They seemed to enjoy it and are asking me back for the next party in summer.

allen

Nitefly said:

It's 25 years since the singer and I first rehearsed it, and probably 20 since we last sang it together, but we absolutely nailed it, much to our relief!

Cool!