Some songs just have a hold on you. Some songs you can’t get out of your head and can’t help yourself but sing along to as soon as the track begins or the chorus ramps up. They are so divine or part of such a universal spell that it’s impossible to resist their charm and appeal.
Here below, we wanted to dive into three such songs. A trio of tracks that are impossible not to sing along to. They’re scientifically proven (well, basically) to get your vocal chords going and lips moving. Yes, it’s practically an involuntary action.
[RELATED: 3 Classic Rock Choruses from the 1980s to Sing Along to]
“Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey from Escape (1981)
As soon as those piano chords come in, you know you’re hooked. Not only are you set to listen to the whole song but you’re bound to sing every last word. As soon as you hear about the small-town girl taking the train and Steve Perry’s voice singing like a neon lightning bolt, you might as well get an IV and have the song put right into your veins. OK, enough talking—let’s sing it together. Offers Perry,
Just a small town girl
Livin’ in a lonely world
She took the midnight train going anywhere
Just a city boy
Born and raised in South Detroit
He took the midnight train going anywhere
A singer in a smokey room
A smell of wine and cheap perfume
For a smile they can share the night
It goes on and on and on and on
“Got My Mind Set On You” by George Harrison from Cloud Nine (1987)
A cover song (the original was recorded by James Ray in 1962), this George Harrison track marked his third No. 1 hit single on the Billboard Hot 100. Opening with a supremely catchy drumbeat, Harrison’s familiar Liverpool voice comes in, bolstered big harmonies. Sitting in front of a fireplace in the music video, he sings about money, time, and effort to “do it right, y’all.” But whatever he’s singing about, so are you. This song has become a popular bar song and it would be on the ultimate frat-rock soundtrack, too. On it, Harrison sings,
I got my mind set on you
I got my mind set on you
I got my mind set on you
I got my mind set on you
But it’s gonna take money
A whole lotta spendin’ money
It’s gonna take plenty of money
To do it right, child
It’s gonna take time
Whole lot of precious time
It’s gonna take patience and time, mmm
To do it, to do it, to do it, to do it, to do it
To do it right, child
“Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond from Brother Love’s Travelling Salvation Show (1969)
Another song that would likely make the all-time frat-rock soundtrack, this is yet another popular bar song. It has also more recently become the unofficial anthem played at Fenway Park in Boston during Red Sox baseball games. On the track, Neil Diamond builds and builds up to the chorus, which begins with the title character’s name. The humble song almost meanders there but then it hits like a fistful of daffodils. On it, Diamond sings,
Where it began
I can’t begin to know when
But then I know it’s growin’ strong
Was in the spring
And spring became the summer
Who’d have believe you’d come along?
Hands
Touchin’ hands
Reachin’ out
Touching me, touchin’ you
Sweet Caroline
Good times never seemed so good
I’ve been inclined
To believe they never would
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