"American Pie"
Don MacLean's 1971 hit song "American Pie" has become one of the most popular sing-along tunes in contemporary American music. Most people don't know all the words, but will happily - and emphatically - throw their heads back and sing along on the chorus. (Check out the lyrics to "American Pie".)Buy from Amazon »
"Banana Boat Song (Day-O)"
This Jamaican folk song was popularized in the States by Harry Belafonte. Kids and adults alike enjoy singing the refrain "Daylight come and me wan' go home," and the enthusiastic "six foot, seven foot, eight foot, bunch!" For both of these reasons, it's an excellent tune for family camp trips and other outings.Buy from Amazon »
"Down by the Riverside"
This classic protest song's origins lie in African-American spirituals. Through the years, though, the song has become not only a popular hymn, but also an anthem of the peace movement. However it is that folks first heard the tune, it's one pretty much everyone knows the words to, and is a great community-building sing-along. (Check out the lyrics for "Down by the Riverside".)Buy from Amazon »
"House of the Rising Sun"
Though this song's origins stretch much further back into history, probably the most popular version is the folk-rock tune by the Animals, circa 1964. Bob Dylan also recorded a popular version in 1962. The oldest known recording of the tune came from about 30 years prior to that, though. Regardless of where you heard it first, most Americans know enough of the lyrics to sing along, and enjoy doing so. (Here are the lyrics to Bob Dylan's version.)Buy from Amazon »
"If I Had a Hammer"
This song was written by Pete Seeger with Lee Hays (here's a full history of "If I Had a Hammer") in 1949. But, perhaps the most popular version was recorded by Peter, Paul and Mary. As is true of many of Seeger's songs, they're set up with the intention of being sung along to. Folks who don't know all the words can easily follow along.Buy from Amazon »
