Meet David De’ Ath, founder, editor, and writer at Wonderful World English. With his extensive background as an English teacher, David provides valuable insights and practical tips on ESL for students and teachers alike.
Singing is one of the most wholesome and fulfilling pastimes that a person can engage in.
It can lighten our moods, help us connect with others, and is excellent for our health!
Singing is deeply connected with our human spirit, and cultures all over the world throughout history have connected through music and songs.
Alongside the many great reasons why singing songs is a great idea, it can also be very effective in language learning.
Fortunately, there are countless songs that can be chosen to help people who are learning English.
Learning and singing along to songs in the English language is a fun and fantastic way to improve one’s language skills.
Some of the best (and easiest) songs to sing in English include “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen, “Imagine” by John Lennon, “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond, “Someone Like You” & “Hello” by Adele, “Fix You” by Coldplay, “I Will Always Love you” by Whitney Houston, “You Raise me Up” by Westlife, and “Livin’ La Vida Loca” by Ricky Martin, among others.
I am an experienced English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher who can advocate first-hand the power of songs in language learning.
Typically, my students are young learners, and a wealth of great musical material is available online for all ages.
In this guide, we will explore some of the most famous and influential songs that can be learned in English to help anyone wanting to improve their language skills while having lots of fun in the process.
We will cover songs perfect for singing, including classic hits and pop favorites, and we will also give each song a difficulty rating and provide a link so you can listen to the hit on YouTube.
Microphones at the ready, let’s go!
Why Sing English Songs?
Music is a powerful form of art that can transcend language barriers.
Singing offers joy to people everywhere, from professional singers to those who love to belt out tunes in the shower.
Music offers a great range of powerful emotions, stories, and inspirations for us to explore.
A great truism with singing is that most people are able to remember lyrics effortlessly because they are in a heightened state of enjoyment when listening to songs they like.
Due to English being the lingua franca (which means it is the language of choice among non-natives to communicate in, especially in areas like business, tourism, and academia), its songs have reached every corner of the world.
The English-speaking music industry has produced a huge range of genres, lyrics, and icons.
Being able to tap into this resource can surely help any English language learner improve their speaking ability.
Below are three amazing benefits that can come from singing English songs:
1. Improves Pronunciation
One significant aspect of singing English songs is that they demand clear pronunciation.
This allows the singer to effectively convey emotions and speak out the words properly and offers ample opportunity to practice and refine how they produce the words.
Language learners can understand and retain English words by listening to songs and repeating how the singer produces the lyrics.
It’s important for English language learners to listen to songs at an appropriate pace, and slower songs will be far more suitable for those earlier in their language-learning journey.
2. Improves Language Skills
By simply engaging with song lyrics, learners will naturally begin to build their English vocabulary and comprehension.
There are songs on any subject you can think of, and these different contexts can aid understanding of different expressions, phrases, and colloquials.
So, listening to and learning English songs will be sure to boost the general English proficiency of learners of all levels, from beginners to advanced speakers.
If you want to know the best apps for improving your English grammar, check out the guide below!
Related Article: Which is the Best App for Learning English Grammar? – Top 10
3. Boosts Confidence
Another huge positive that comes from singing English songs is that it can break down barriers of insecurity and boost a learner’s confidence.
Learners can conquer any fear of speaking in English by singing songs and developing self-esteem.
Mastering a song will offer a sense of accomplishment, and performing it will greatly help learners overcome any obstacles they may be facing.
Top 5 Classic Songs to Sing in English
Below are five of the best classic English songs to sing.
These songs are famous all around the world and will make a great addition to any English language learner’s vocal library:
1. “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen
Widely regarded as one of the best songs ever written, Bohemian Rhapsody is a beautiful masterpiece written by Queen’s iconic frontman, Freddie Mercury.
This song boasts colorful lyrics and dynamic musical shifts, making it a pleasurable singing experience.
Bohemian Rhapsody has a slow tempo for the most part and is an excellent choice of English songs to learn and sing, and we give it an easy rating.
2. “Imagine” by John Lennon
Imagine is another iconic song written by the ex-Beatles lyrical genius John Lennon.
This is a slow song accompanied by that famous piano sequence.
Imagine is a song of hope and unity, and its simple melody and meaningful lyrics make it a popular choice among English learners.
Due to the song’s slow tempo, we deem this tune as easy to learn.
3. “Hotel California” by Eagles
Hotel California is one of the most popular classic rock songs of all time from the Eagles.
It boasts mysterious lyrics and powerful guitar solos, which can give singers an awesome experience.
The melody and ambiance of Hotel California make it an excellent choice for English and music enthusiasts.
This tune is a little faster-paced than some of the others in this guide and will take more time to master, so we give Hotel California a difficulty rating of moderately hard.
4. “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson
This track boasts a distinctive bassline and was originally performed by the King of Pop himself, Michael Jackson.
This catchy tune is full of rhythm and can be an excellent choice for more advanced English speakers (especially those who like dancing)!
Billie Jean has an infectious chorus and is a joy to sing along to.
Due to its faster-paced tempo, we consider this tune as tricky.
5. “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond
Sweet Caroline is a sing-along classic that is loved around the world by legendary American singer-songwriter Neil Diamond.
It is a light-hearted and catchy tune, making it an ideal choice for anyone wanting to sing along to a song in English.
With its feel-good vibe, this song guarantees to put smiles on people’s faces.
We consider Sweet Caroline to be an easier suggestion to learn.
Top 5 Contemporary Hits That Are Fun to Sing
Well, all the songs in this guide are fun to sing, but these are relatively modern and have been released since the turn of the millennium.
Let’s take a look at the top 5 contemporary hits:
1. “Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran
With over six billion hits on YouTube, Shape of You is a trendy track written and performed by Englishman Ed Sheeran.
This modern tune has a catchy melody and is a hit among the younger generations.
With an upbeat tempo, this song can be a great choice for those with advanced levels of English proficiency.
We consider Shape of You a hard song to learn and sing, especially for beginner English learners.
2. “Someone Like You” by Adele
Adele is widely regarded as one of the best singers of her generation, and this song is quite possibly her best hit.
Her emotive voice shines in this powerful ballad and can be an excellent option for anyone who wants to really pour their hearts into what they are singing.
Someone Like You should be fairly easy for English learners to pick up and sing along to due to its slow tempo and lyrics.
3. “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” by Justin Timberlake
This pop tune from Justin Timberlake is upbeat and boasts an infectious rhythm and uplifting lyrics.
Can’t Stop the Feeling will be sure to bring the singer a burst of energy and let them put a smile on anyone they may be in the room with.
It’s also a great dance track!
This one has a faster tempo and may take a little longer to learn than some of the others on this list, so we rated it moderately difficult.
4. “Fix You” by Coldplay
Fix You is a powerful track by British rock band Coldplay.
This melodic tune offers a fine mix of emotion and uplift and can be an excellent choice for English learners on a less advanced level.
Due to its slow tempo, we deem this as easy to learn.
5. “Dance Monkey” by Tones and I
This tune is a very popular hit from Tones and I.
Dance Monkey has a repetitive chorus with clear enunciation, which makes it an ideal choice for English language learners to sing along to.
Although this track has a quick tempo, it is also very repetitive, so we consider this moderately difficult.
Songs are excellent resources to help English learners.
If you’re looking for other great strategies to speed up the language-learning process, check out the guide below!
Related Article: How to Learn English in 6 Months – Full Guide
Top 5 Power Ballads to Pour Our Hearts Out
The songs below are famed for the vocal power of the singer.
These tracks boast excellent lyrics and can be a great option for anyone who wants to belt out an emotional tune while improving their English.
Let’s take a closer look:
1. “Hello” by Adele
The second hit by Adele in this guide is this soulful tune.
Her voice shines through in this emotional ballad, and this song is ideal for anyone who wants to tap into deep feelings and convey them with power.
This isn’t a particularly positive song, but it is great for beginners due to its slower tempo, so we deem this one easy to learn.
2. “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston
This is one of the most iconic power ballads of all time, famously performed by the legendary Whitney Houston.
This power ballad boasts soaring notes and requires the singer to pour their heart into their performance to get it right.
Although it may be difficult to hit the notes like Whitney does, it is a suitable song to learn in English because it has fairly simple lyrics and is at a slow tempo.
For these reasons, we consider this song’s lyrics as easy to learn.
3. “Take My Breath Away” by Berlin
This classic hit by Berlin is famously played in the movie Top Gun.
With its iconic bassline, this is a sure crowd-pleasure and fun to learn.
However, this one certainly isn’t suitable for beginners, and we would suggest that only more advanced English language speakers attempt to learn this song.
This is due to the higher complexity of the lyrics and a faster tempo; therefore, we consider this one challenging to learn.
4. “You Raise Me Up” by Westlife
You Raise Me Up is a classic from the Irish pop group Westlife.
With powerful, uplifting lyrics and a beautiful melody, this is an ideal option for anyone who wants to sing a more positive tune.
This one has a relatively slow tempo and can be an excellent choice for those less confident in English, so we consider it an easy tune to learn.
5. “Time After Time” by Cyndi Lauper
Time After Time is an 80’s hit from American singer Cyndi Lauper.
This song is very much of the eighties with its classic synthesizer instrumentals and can be a great choice for those with an intermediate to advanced level of English proficiency.
Because it has a slightly faster tempo than some of the other songs in this guide but isn’t overly difficult, we consider this one moderately tough to learn.
Top 5 Rock Anthems to Belt Out
These ones are for those who can’t help but love a good guitar while singing along to the tune.
Let’s take a look at the top 5 rock anthems to sing in English:
1. “Livin’ on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi
This classic anthem by Bon Jovi is full of energy and taps into the rock ‘n’ roll spirit, making it a favorite for many.
It has an iconic chorus and is an instant crowd-pleaser.
Despite this, it certainly isn’t one of the easiest in this guide and will require more time to learn and master than some of the other tunes.
For this reason, we deem this one as hard to learn.
2. “Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey
Another all-time classic, this time from American rock band Journey.
This song has it all and offers a dynamic range for singers to enjoy, with soft verses and a triumphant chorus.
It is a very uplifting, upbeat song and is sure to put a smile on the face of anyone listening to it.
We deem this one as moderately difficult to learn.
3. “We Are the Champions” by Queen
Another track from Queen in this guide, We Are the Champions, is another iconic rock song played in stadiums all over the world.
This is an awesome tune for those who like motivational music.
It may be a little difficult for beginners to the English language to master fully, so we give this classic rock tune a moderate difficulty rating.
4. “Sweet Child of Mine” by Guns N’ Roses
Sweet Child of Mine is a classic hit by the American hard rock band Guns N’ Roses.
This song combines straightforward and poetic lyrics, offering a balanced challenge for English learners.
Because of this balance, we give Sweet Child of Mine a moderately difficult rating.
5. “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” by Aerosmith
Famously played in the movie Armageddon, Aerosmith made a belter with this one.
This love song has awesome lyrics and is an excellent choice to sing to.
It has moments where the tempo speeds up, but for the most part, this song can be learned by intermediate English speakers.
We give this one a moderately difficult rating.
Top 5 Pop Songs That Get Everyone Singing
Below are the top 5 pop songs that are upbeat and positive and great options for those who want to sing with a smile on their face.
Let’s take a look:
1. “Happy” by Pharrell Williams
Happy is a feel-good song from American singer Pharrell Williams.
This pop song is sure to brighten the day of anyone singing it and is full of joy and positivity.
It has a catchy tune and can be a great option.
However, due to its fast tempo, we consider this one more challenging to learn than some of the other songs in this guide.
2. “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars
This funky pop hit is by Mark Ronson and features Bruno Mars.
Uptown Funk is all about groove and rhythm and is a great track to sing and dance to.
It has a high-energy chorus and can be a lot of fun to learn and sing while learning English.
We give this one a moderately difficult rating.
3. “Livin’ La Vida Loca” by Ricky Martin
Livin’ La Vida Loca is a Latin-inspired pop song by Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin.
This track is famous for its catchy melody and upbeat rhythm.
It is a fun and lively experience to learn and sing this one.
We deem this one as an easy song to grasp for English learners.
4. “Let It Go” from Disney’s Frozen
Disney movies boast a wealth of great songs to sing in English, and Let It Go is certainly up there as one of the best.
This one is a joyful and upbeat song and could make an excellent choice for young learners who are interested in Disney movies.
We consider this one as an easier song to learn.
5. “Firework” by Katy Perry
This famous pop hit is by American singer Katy Perry.
Firework is an explosive song that is filled with positivity and can help learners practice English vocabulary related to empowerment and self-esteem.
It has a relatively slow tempo for the lyrics, so we consider this one as easy to learn.
Top 5 Duets for Memorable Singing Sessions
These songs are for those who don’t want to sing alone.
Whether with a friend or a loved one, these can be great options for people who want to practice their English together while having fun.
Let’s look at the top 5 duet songs to sing in English:
1. “I Got You Babe” by Sonny & Cher
I Got You Babe is a heartwarming tune by American pop duo Sonny & Cher.
This duet captures the magic of partnership and togetherness.
Singing this with another person can be both a harmonious and joyous experience.
This one may be a little difficult for beginners, but it should be no problem for intermediate to advanced English speakers.
2. “Endless Love” by Diana Ross & Lionel Richie
Endless Love is (yeah, you guessed it) a love song sung by American icons Diana Ross & Lionel Richie.
This song epitomizes love and is perfect for couples as it helps build a special connection.
The emotional resonance of this classic makes for a memorable experience for everyone involved.
We give this one a moderately difficult rating.
3. “Islands in the Stream” by Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers
Islands in the Stream is a lovely tune from country music legends Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers.
This one is a love song and is an excellent choice for anyone who wants a bit of a challenge while learning English.
With a melody that flows and lyrics that emit feelings of love, this iconic tune would be a great accomplishment for a couple to master.
We give this one a rating of hard to learn for English learners.
4. “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” by Elton John & Kiki Dee
This piece is an uplifting classic from English singers Elton John & Kiki Dee.
Don’t Go Breaking My Heart is an easier option and an excellent choice for lovers and friends alike.
It is a positive tune and will be a lot of fun to learn and sing.
We give this one a rating of easy to grasp for English learners.
5. “Under Pressure” by Queen & David Bowie
This is the third track involving Queen in this guide, and this time they are accompanied by legendary English rockstar David Bowie.
Under Pressure boasts an iconic bassline and is an excellent choice for anyone who wants a greater challenge.
David Bowie takes a more baritone role in this one, while Freddie Mercury hits the higher notes.
We consider this one difficult to grasp for English learners.
Do you have trouble reading big English words and want to improve this skill?
You’re in luck!
Check out the free guide below to find out how.
Related Article: How to Read Big Words in English – The Guide
Top 5 Songs for Sing-Alongs with Friends
We’ve covered the top 5 songs to sing with another person; now let’s look at some songs to sing with a group of people.
These ones can be ideal for groups of English learners and are inclusive, happy tunes.
Let’s take a closer look:
1. “Wagon Wheel” by Old Crow Medicine Show
This folk-rock song is by the American string band Old Crow Medicine Show.
Wagon Wheel exudes a sense of adventure and camaraderie.
It’s the kind of song that would be perfect to sing around a campfire with friends as it forges a feeling of togetherness.
We deem this one as an easy tune to learn and give it three microphones.
2. “Hey Jude” by The Beatles
Hey Jude is an iconic sing-along anthem by the English band The Beatles.
This tune has a repetitive and infectious melody and chorus, perfect for group singing sessions.
It has a fairly slow tempo and is ideal for anyone wanting to learn a more straightforward song in English.
We give this a rating of easy.
3. “Wonderwall” by Oasis
Next up is this acoustic hit from the English rock band Oasis.
This song is simple to play and perfect for anyone wanting to sing while strumming with a guitar.
It’s ideal for anyone who is more confident in their English proficiency as it is a little quicker than some of the others in this guide.
We give this a moderately difficult rating.
4. “With a Little Help from My Friends” by The Beatles
Another Beatles track makes the list, and this one is aptly named ‘With a Little Help from My Friends’.
This upbeat and positive tune is ideal for singing in groups as it promotes inclusion and appreciation for those closest to us.
This one is simpler and slower paced, and so we deem it easy to grasp for English learners.
5. “Lean on Me” by Bill Withers
This classic is full of positivity and hope from American singer Bill Withers.
Lean on Me is a wonderful piece accompanied by a nice and mellow piano and is suitable for English learners.
For the most part, this song is slow, but it does pick up in tempo at parts, and so for this reason, we will give this a rating of moderately tricky.
Top 5 Karaoke Classics That Never Get Old
And finally, who doesn’t love a bit of karaoke?!
These classics are perfect for singing to a crowd and will be sure to get them swinging.
Let’s look at the top 5 karaoke classics that never get old:
1. “Total Eclipse of the Heart” by Bonnie Tyler
Total Eclipse of the Heart is a heartfelt classic from Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler.
This dramatic power ballad offers a great opportunity for those who want to belt out some incredible vocals in English!
This is an intense song with powerful lyrics, and the iconic chorus is a karaoke favorite in many places around the world.
We wouldn’t suggest a beginner attempt this one, and we give it a rating of difficult to grasp for English learners.
2. “I Want to Dance with Somebody” by Whitney Houston
Another hit from Whitney Houston on this list, I Want to Dance with Somebody, is a karaoke favorite.
This iconic tune is perfect for singing and dancing and will always get the crowd bouncing by creating an electric atmosphere.
Good luck to anyone who attempts to hit the high notes!
We give this one a rating of moderately difficult to grasp for English learners.
3. “Country Roads” by John Denver
Country Roads is an iconic country song by American folk singer John Denver.
This tune is simple, famous worldwide, and iconic to American country and culture.
Country Roads is easy to understand and offers a great way to practice pronunciation while having fun.
We consider this as an easy one to learn for English students.
4. “Ring of Fire” by Johnny Cash
Another iconic country song here, and this time by American country legend Johnny Cash.
This song is flavorsome and catchy.
It has a slow tempo and is known by many English speakers.
It can make for an excellent choice on karaoke night!
Due to its simplicity, we consider this an easy one to learn.
5. “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor
And the final song that is best to sing in English is this iconic disco hit from Gloria Gaynor.
This one is sure to get the dance floor moving and is positive and uplifting.
It has a quick tempo and may be too difficult for beginner English learners, so we consider this one difficult to learn.
Conclusion
Singing songs is a universal joy that can transcend language barriers and unite people.
In language learning, songs and music can be very effective tools in building proficiency.
The English-speaking world has endless musical material available to help non-native learners improve their English.
Whether you’re looking to enhance vocabulary, improve pronunciation, or connect with other English speakers, the songs presented in this guide will help you achieve your language goals.
This guide has something for everyone, so be sure to check out the links provided and discover the perfect English song to learn and enjoy!
Singing can improve language skills while boosting confidence and creating lasting memories.
So what are you waiting for? Grab a microphone, find your favorite English songs, and let your voice do the rest.
These songs have touched the hearts of millions around the world and will continue to do so.
We hope this has helped anyone looking to find the best songs in English to sing and learn.
Have a wonderful day!
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