27 Dec The Ultimate List of the Best Dueling Piano Songs

Dueling pianos is a musical entertainment concept that involves two pianists playing popular songs that audience members request. It’s an exciting, high-energy show where the piano players feed off the crowd’s energy and engage in comedic banter between songs. The best dueling piano shows have an extensive repertoire of popular tunes that get the audience singing and dancing along.

Selecting the perfect mix of songs is an artform for dueling piano players. They need catchy, upbeat hits that work well when adapted to piano and lend themselves to call-and-response interaction with the crowd. Having two pianists allows them to take songs to the next level with arrangements involving four-handed playing, vocal harmonies, and other embellishments.

This comprehensive guide covers best dueling piano songs that dueling piano artists have in their arsenals. It provides valuable insights for new players looking to build their repertoires and anyone interested in requesting songs at their next dueling pianos show. Let’s dive in!

Pop Songs That Get The Party Started

Recent and classic pop hits are staples of any dueling pianos show because they appeal to diverse audiences. Uptempo danceable beats and infectious melodies are guaranteed to get the crowd singing and dancing along. Here are some of the best pop songs for dueling pianos:

“Call Me Maybe” – Carly Rae Jepsen

This 2012 earworm with its “Hey I just met you, and this is crazy” hook is impossible not to sing and dance along to. Its minimalist infectious melody and basic chord progression adapts effortlessly to dueling pianos.

“Can’t Stop the Feeling” – Justin Timberlake

JT’s feel-good 2016 hit, with its upbeat soul/funk groove, plays well on dueling pianos when the players get loose and have fun with improvised vocals, harmonies, and soloing over the syncopated rhythm.

“Piano Man” – Billy Joel

A sentimental classic that’s a natural fit for dueling pianos. Players can take turns singing lead and harmonizing on the choruses, make the crowd feel like they’re in a piano bar, and stretch out for some piano showmanship.

“Rolling In The Deep” – Adele

Adele’s soaring breakup anthem gives dueling pianists room to showcase their vocal range. The bluesy chord progression allows dramatic builds and instrumental embellishments.

“Shut Up and Dance” – Walk The Moon

This high-energy indie pop song’s steady dance beat and vocal melody are infectious. Dueling pianists can use it to get shy audience members out of their seats when they urge “Oh don’t you dare look back, just keep your eyes on me.”

“Someone Like You” – Adele

Another emotion-filled ballad by powerhouse Adele that lets pianists flex their vocal chops with its range from soaring belts to intimate tones. Audiences love singing along to the “I wish nothing but the best for you” chorus.

“We Are Young” – Fun

With anthemic choruses begging to be shouted by a crowd and rhythmic piano riffs, this 2012 crossover hit is dueling piano gold. The call-and-response “so if by the time the bar closes” lines engage audiences.

Singalong Standards From The 70s, 80s And 90s

Nostalgic throwback hits from past decades allow dueling pianists to connect with older audiences while also introducing timeless tunes to younger crowds. Their dance rhythms, hummable melodies, and anthemic choruses have stood the test of time.

“Bohemian Rhapsody” – Queen

While an ambitious choice, dueling pianists can rock the complex song structure, changing tempos, and operatic elements of Queen’s 1975 masterpiece. Audiences will passionately sing every “Galileo!”

“Don’t Stop Believin'” – Journey

Journey’s feel-good 1981 anthem has one of the most recognizable and uplifting opening piano riffs in rock history, making it a perfect dueling piano song. Its punchy chorus and message of perseverance resonate.

“Livin’ On A Prayer” – Bon Jovi

With its iconic synth riff and singalong chorus full of vocal inflections like “WHOA-OH,” this 1986 hard rock classic motivates crowds to channel their inner 80s rock gods.

“Sweet Caroline” – Neil Diamond

A buoyant 1969 singalong standard ideal for call-and-response with crowds. Pianists can have fun with improvised vocal riffing to supplement its bouncy melody and simple chords. The dramatic pauses in “Sweet Caroline…(pause)…bah bah bah” are surefire crowd-pleasers.

“Take On Me” – a-ha

The 1985 synthpop hit’s staccato piano riff in the chorus is instantly recognizable. Dueling piano players can use shifting dynamics from mellow verses to the punchy choruses to build energy.

“Total Eclipse Of The Heart” – Bonnie Tyler

Tyler’s moody 1983 power ballad, with its soaring vocals and melodramatic lyrics, allows dueling pianists to show off their performance chops on impassioned vocals and bombastic playing.

“What’s Up?” – 4 Non Blondes

A distinctly 90s alt rock hit, its “HEYY YAH YAH YAH” chorus begs for enthusiastic singalongs. The bluesy piano parts and Linda Perry’s raspy vocals are also great fodder for dueling piano interpretation.

Modern Country Hits For Red Solo Cup Singalongs

The genre of country offers plenty of options for dueling pianos. New and old hits have down-home singalong appeal and relatable lyrics about good times that get audiences fired up.

“Buy Me A Boat” – Chris Janson

A 2015 tongue-in-cheek country party anthem with a whistled melody and clever wordplay like “I ain’t rich but I damn sure wanna be” that makes it fun for call-and-response. The casual piano rhythms are easy to improvise and riff on.

“Friends In Low Places” – Garth Brooks

Garth’s 1990 honky tonk classic namechecks booze brands, captures a “the blues are easily forgotten” attitude, and features audience-friendly “LA DI DA, DI DA” singalongs perfect for dueling pianos.

“The Gambler” – Kenny Rogers

Rogers’ narrative 1978 country ballad tells an engaging tale of a poker player’s life advice over melancholy piano arpeggios. Dueling pianists can have fun acting out the spoken dialogue.

“Islands In The Stream” – Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers

Country legend duo Parton and Rogers had a 1983 pop crossover hit with this lush ballad. Its chorus of “do do do do do do” lends itself to improvised vocal harmonies and solo trading between dueling piano players.

“Friends in Low Places” – Garth Brooks

Garth’s iconic 1990 boot-stomping anthem namechecks liquor to help “ease the pain” of lost love, with fun “la di da” singalongs. It allows for loose, bluesy pianism and witty audience interaction at dueling piano shows.

“Amarillo By Morning” – George Strait

Strait’s mellow 1982 ode to cowboy life on the Texas plains has soothing chord changes and vivid place-based lyrics perfect for communal crooning. Dueling pianists can have fun evoking images of “horse and cattle for sale” and the “smell of hay.”

” waveform ” – Morgan Wallen

Wallen’s catchy 2021 piano-driven country lament cloaks heartbreak in uptempo rhythms. The “I was dancing with a beautiful stranger” storyline invites singalongs, while the bluesy piano riffs allow for rhythmic improvisation.

Rock Anthems To Headbang Along To

High-energy rock hits with power riffs or driving rhythms get audiences pumped up and crowding the stage. They allow dueling pianists to put their spin on beloved headbanger classics.

“American Idiot” – Green Day

The defiant title track of Green Day’s 2004 rock opera features punchy piano chords and “HEY!”-filled choruses ideal for aggressive singalongs. Dueling piano players can mimic the iconic distorted guitar riff.

“Don’t Stop Believin'” – Journey

Journey’s feel-good 1981 anthem has one of the most recognizable and uplifting opening piano riffs in rock history, making it a perfect dueling piano song. Its punchy chorus and message of perseverance resonate.

“Livin’ On A Prayer” – Bon Jovi

With its iconic synth riff and singalong chorus full of vocal inflections like “WHOA-OH,” this 1986 hard rock classic motivates crowds to channel their inner 80s rock gods.

“My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark” – Fall Out Boy

Fall Out Boy had a crossover 2013 rock hit with this fast-paced emo anthem featuring staccato piano chords. Dueling pianists can use its driving beat and intense lyrics to create an aggressive, angsty vibe.

“Paradise City” – Guns N Roses

The hard rock legends had an all-time arena anthem with this 1988 ode to Los Angeles’ rock scene. The dueling Slash/Izzy guitar melodies transfer amazingly to dueling pianos, especially during the exhilarating chordal bridges.

“Seven Nation Army” – The White Stripes

Jack White’s 2003 garage rock hit features an iconic bass riff that dueling pianists can mimic in unison. Audience members will get pumped shouting the “WHOA OH OH OH OH” melody.

“Take Me Out” – Franz Ferdinand

This 2004 post-punk hit’s stuttering piano-centric melody and fast tempo make it ideal for high-energy dueling piano interpretations. Players can build dynamics from mellow verses to the intense choruses.

Multi-Generational Mashups & Medleys

Mashups that combine hits across eras into creative medleys are a dueling piano specialty. Blending tunes with clever segues and finding harmonic similarities between disparate songs entertains audiences young and old.

Journey vs Beastie Boys

Mixing Journey’s soulful 1981 piano ballad “Faithfully” with the Beastie Boys’ brash 1986 hip hop classic “Fight For Your Right To Party” makes for an unexpected combo. Thematically both songs advocate perseverance. And the Beasties’ rapped vocals flow smoothly over Journey’s chord progressions.

Lizzo vs Bach

Pairing Lizzo’s fierce 2019 self-love anthem “Good As Hell” with Bach’s 1725 “Minuet in G Major” is comedic juxtaposition at its finest. While musically disconnecting a classical composition with pop vocals seems ridiculous, staying in the same G major key makes the mashup oddly work!

Coldplay vs Bruno Mars

Coldplay’s moody 2002 piano ballad “The Scientist” blends surprisingly well with Bruno Mars’ bouncy 2010 hit “Just The Way You Are” by mixing tempos/keys but keeping chords and progressions aligned. The melodramatic Chris Martin vocals weaving with Mars’ earnest declarations create interesting textures.

The Beatles vs Taylor Swift

Mashing up The Beatles’ 1967 peace-and-love piano pop gem “All You Need Is Love” with Taylor Swift’s 2019 sociopolitical anthem “You Need To Calm Down” puts an ironic spin on both titles. Blending John Lennon’s trippy vocals with Swift’s sing-speak bridge flows better than expected.

Chainsmokers vs Nat King Cole

No one expected the grown-up Christmas nostalgia of Nat King Cole’s 1961 “The Christmas Song” to pair well with The Chainsmokers’ youthful 2016 EDM hit “Closer.” But in the same B-flat key, Cole’s gentle tones blend nicely with the chopped-up synth samples.

Dueling Piano Shakedown Classics

Beyond pop songs, dueling piano players have some additional standards in their arsenals that get audiences riled up. These are interactive group participation songs that encourage singing and even dancing along.

“The Bear Went Over The Mountain”

A fun call-and-response song, usually sung to the tune of “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” The piano players improvise increasingly absurd verses about what the bear encounters, and the crowd repeats each line. Expect lots of laughter and silliness.

“The Chicken Dance”

Inspired by Swiss accordion music, “The Chicken Dance” is an Oktoberfest favorite, often played by dueling pianists. With goofy lyrics like “I don’t want to be a chicken, I don’t want to be a duck,” it’s hilariously silly accompanied by mandatory dance moves.

“Friends In Low Places”

Garth Brooks’ iconic 1990 boot-stomping anthem namechecks liquor to help “ease the pain” of lost love, with fun “la di da” singalongs. It allows for loose, bluesy pianism and witty audience interaction at dueling piano shows.

“Hey Baby!”

Bruce Channel’s 1962 “Hey! Baby” has an infectious swing/pop call-and-response chorus ideal for crowd singalongs. Dueling pianists riffing off each other while patrons shout “HEY (HEY) HEY BABY!” creates contagious energy.

“The Hokey Pokey”

Kids’ favorite “The Hokey Pokey” gets adults giggling and moving along to lyrics about body parts going “in and out.” Paired with loose piano interpretations, its repetitive form creates opportunities for pianists to insert humorous improvised verses catered to their audiences.

“Hot Hot Hot”

Arrow’s soca-flavored 1982 island anthem “Hot Hot Hot” is impossible not to move to. Dueling pianists can rhythmically vamp, guests can shake and shimmy, and all will be chanting “SO HOT, OH WE GOT IT” by the song’s end.

“I Love Rock N Roll”

Joan Jett’s 1981 rebellious rock mantra features fist-pumping piano chords made for shouting along. Dueling piano players can mimic its classic guitar riff. Watch patrons turn into wannabe rock stars belting out the chorus!

“Shout” – The Isley Brothers

The Isley Brothers’ 1959 R&B classic features repetitive verses shouting out “a little bit softer now…a little bit louder now.” Dueling pianists use this simple structure to control audiences’ volume levels while encouraging enthusiastic participation.

“Sweet Caroline”

Neil Diamond’s buoyant 1969 singalong features call-and-response “Bah bah bah!” choruses tailor-made for crowd shouting. Pianists can improvise fun vocal riffing to engage patrons and enhance the hand-clapping fatty piano shuffle.

Showstopping Originals & Parodies

Beyond playing covers, seasoned dueling piano players write parody songs and other originals that become signature parts of their shows. These are often tailored to audiences and venues.

“The Drunk Song”

A dueling piano classic using the tune of Johnny Nash’s 1972 “I Can See Clearly Now,” but with the lyrics “I’ve had 22 beers, I can’t see clearly now…” Touching on overdrinking, it’s cheeky humor audiences eat up at bar shows.

“Ode To (Venue Name)”

Some dueling piano duos compose parody songs to their regular venues, full of inside jokes and tailored details. These often take on genres like 80s rock anthems or country swing for comedic effect. They connect with crowds through local/personal relevance.

“Pour One Out For Piano Patty”

An elegiac dueling pianos ballad bidding farewell to a fictitious pianist who succumbs to too many vodka shots mid-performance. These sincere yet silly tributes playfully spoof dueling piano culture.

“Your City Name Here” Blues

Dueling piano players frequently improvise bluesy “city blues” songs to connect with audiences’ hometown pride. They creatively rhyme light-hearted lyrical phrases about local landmarks over melodramatic blues progressions for laughs.

“That One Night”

A humorous romantic duet recounting a fictional couple’s questionable meet-cute often involving overdrinking, late night food, unpredictable transportation and other poor choices. Dueling pianists role play back-and-forth verses for comedic effect.

Dueling Piano Singalong Essentials

Beyond the songs already listed, dueling piano players have a vast library of additional tunes they frequently pull out to entertain crowds. Here is an alphabetical primer on other popular singalong hits that get audiences jazzed up.

“Brown Eyed Girl” – Van Morrison

Van the Man’s 1967 tale of nostalgia for youthful innocence, backed by its laidback rhythmic piano shuffle, makes patrons long for the old days.

“Closing Time” – Semisonic

Semisonic’s 1998 alt-rock hit, with lyrics like “You don’t have to go home but you can’t stay here,” takes on a tongue-in-cheek vibe when played at actual bar closing times. The bouncy piano melody has closing time appeal.

“Despacito” – Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee

The 2017 Latin pop megahit’s smooth groove and sensual Spanish lyrics enliven crowds, especially when dueling pianists add sultry flair.

In Conclusion

The ultimate list of the best dueling piano songs is a dynamic compilation that transcends genres and tempos. The success of a dueling piano performance lies in the pianists’ ability to engage the audience through skillful interplay, humor, and a diverse repertoire. Whether it’s a fast-paced chart-topper or a soulful ballad, the key is to create an unforgettable experience that caters to the unique atmosphere of dueling piano shows. With customization options and the flexibility to handle audience requests, dueling pianos offer a musical journey that is both entertaining and interactive, making it a fantastic choice for various events and celebrations.

FAQs

What makes a song suitable for dueling pianos?

Dueling piano songs are typically those with catchy melodies, strong lyrics, and a dynamic range. Songs that allow for creative interplay between pianists and engage the audience often make the best choices. Classics, pop hits, and sing-alongs tend to be crowd-pleasers.

Do dueling piano songs have to be fast-paced or can they be slow ballads?

While energetic, up-tempo songs are popular for dueling pianos due to the lively atmosphere they create, slow ballads can also work well. The key is to maintain audience engagement through emotional connection, humor, or skillful piano arrangements, regardless of the tempo.

Are there specific genres that work best for dueling piano performances?

Dueling pianos are versatile and can adapt to various genres, from rock and pop to country and jazz. The key is to choose songs that resonate with the audience and allow for dynamic piano interplay. A diverse repertoire that spans different genres often enhances the overall experience.

Can dueling piano songs be customized for special events or themes?

Absolutely! Dueling pianists often tailor their playlists to suit the occasion, whether it’s a wedding, corporate event, or themed party. Customization adds a personalized touch, making the performance more memorable and engaging for the audience.

How do dueling pianists handle song requests from the audience?

Song requests are a fundamental part of dueling piano shows. Pianists are usually skilled at improvisation and can quickly adapt to a wide range of requests. Some shows even encourage audience participation, turning song requests into interactive and entertaining moments.