Music and drinking games go together like beer and red solo cups. Drinking game songs aren’t just about the beat—they come with built-in rules that make every sip more exciting. From classic bar anthems to pop hits with easy-to-follow drinking cues, this guide will help you create the perfect soundtrack for your next party.
Get ready to discover the best drinking game songs, learn how to turn any track into a fun challenge, and find ready-made playlists that will keep the good times rolling.
Table of Contents
What Makes a Great Drinking Game Song?
Not all songs are created equal when it comes to drinking games. The best ones tend to fall into three key categories:
High Energy & Sing-Along Factor
The best drinking game songs are the ones that everyone knows. Think of anthems like “Sweet Caroline” or “Living on a Prayer”—tracks where people naturally start singing along, making it easy to add fun drinking rules.
Lyrics That Can Be Turned Into Drinking Cues
A great drinking game song has predictable lyrics that allow players to take drinks at specific moments. For example:
- “Roxanne” – The Police (Drink every time you hear “Roxanne.”)
- “Hey Ya!” – OutKast (Sip every time you hear “shake it.”)
- “Single Ladies” – Beyoncé (Drink when she says “Oh oh oh.”)
Genres That Work Best for Drinking Games
- Classic Rock – “Don’t Stop Believin’,” “Bohemian Rhapsody”
- Pop Hits – “Uptown Funk,” “Party in the USA”
- Irish Folk Songs – “Whiskey in the Jar,” “Drunken Sailor”
- Hip-Hop & EDM – “Shots” by LMFAO, “Turn Down for What”
Best Drinking Game Songs of All Time
Classic Drinking Game Songs
These are the tried-and-true anthems that have been fueling drinking games for decades.
- “Roxanne” – The Police (Split into two teams—one drinks on “Roxanne,” the other on “red light.”)
- “Bohemian Rhapsody” – Queen (Sip every time the tempo changes.)
- “Sweet Caroline” – Neil Diamond (Drink on every “bum, bum, bum!”)
- “Living on a Prayer” – Bon Jovi (Take a sip whenever they say “whoa.”)
- “Don’t Stop Believin’” – Journey (Last person to sing takes a drink.)
- “We Will Rock You” – Queen (Drink on the “boom boom clap.”)
- “Shots” – LMFAO ft. Lil Jon (Take a shot every time they say “shots.”)
- “Take Me Home, Country Roads” – John Denver (Drink if you miss a lyric.)
- “Friends in Low Places” – Garth Brooks (Finish your drink when the chorus kicks in.)
- “Thunderstruck” – AC/DC (Thunderstruck Challenge—pass the drink until “thunder” is said again.)
Pop & Party Anthems for Drinking Games
If you’re looking for more modern, high-energy songs to keep the party alive, these tracks are guaranteed to deliver.
- “Tik Tok” – Kesha (Drink every time she mentions partying or drinking.)
- “Single Ladies” – Beyoncé (Take a sip every time she sings “oh.”)
- “=” – Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars (Drink on every “hot damn.”)
- “Hey Ya!” – OutKast (Take a sip every time you hear “shake it.”)
- “We Didn’t Start the Fire” – Billy Joel (Try to sing along—if you mess up, drink.)
- “Party in the USA” – Miley Cyrus (Drink when she mentions a city or state.)
- “Promiscuous” – Nelly Furtado & Timbaland (Switch drinks when the singers switch parts.)
- “Barbie Girl” – Aqua (Drink whenever “Barbie” or “Ken” is said.)
- “Let It Go” – Frozen Soundtrack (Sip every time “let it go” is sung.)
- “Baby Shark” – Pinkfong (Drink every time you regret choosing this song.)
Global Drinking Game Songs
Drinking games aren’t just an American pastime—different countries have their own drinking traditions, and many come with legendary songs that fuel them.
- “The Rattlin’ Bog” – Irish Traditional
- This fast-paced Irish jig keeps speeding up as you go, making it harder to keep up. The last one to sing the right lyrics has to take a drink.
- “Thunderstruck” – AC/DC (Australia)
- The iconic Thunderstruck drinking game originated in Australia, where participants drink every time “thunder” is sung.
- “APT (Rose & Mars)” – France
- A cult favorite drinking game song among French students, featuring increasing speed and tongue-twisting lyrics that challenge players to keep up.
- Swifties, get ready:
- “Love Story” (Drink every time she says “Romeo” or “Juliet.”)
- “You Belong With Me” (Sip when she says “cheerleader” or “bleachers.”)
- “Shake It Off” (Drink on every “shake.”)
- “Whiskey in the Jar” – Irish Traditional
- An old Irish drinking song made famous by Metallica and The Dubliners, best enjoyed with a pint in hand.
- “99 Luftballons” – Nena (Germany)
- Drink when the number “99” is mentioned in German or English.
- “La Bamba” – Ritchie Valens (Mexico)
- If you can’t sing the Spanish lyrics correctly, take a drink.
- “Gasolina” – Daddy Yankee (Puerto Rico)
- Take a shot whenever you hear “Gasolina.”
- “Dragostea Din Tei” – O-Zone (Romania/Moldova)
- Drink every time “Numa numa” is sung.
- “Kiss Kiss” – Tarkan (Turkey)
- Sip every time the signature whistle sound plays.
How to Create a Drinking Game from Any Song
Common Drinking Game Rules
- Take a sip whenever a certain word is repeated.
- Drink when a key phrase is sung.
- Finish your drink when the chorus hits.
- Take a shot when a beat drops.
Example Drinking Games
- “Single Ladies” – Beyoncé (Drink every time she sings “oh.”)
- “Livin’ on a Prayer” – Bon Jovi (Sip every time they say “whoa.”)
- “We Didn’t Start the Fire” – Billy Joel (Try to keep up. If you mess up the lyrics, you drink.)
Warning – Drink Responsibly!
It’s all fun and games until someone overdoes it. Always drink responsibly, stay hydrated, and make sure everyone is having a safe and enjoyable time.
Ready-Made Drinking Game Playlists
Best Spotify Playlists for Drinking Games
- “6 Minutes – Drinking Game” Playlist (Includes party favorites like “Paper Planes” by M.I.A. and “Promiscuous” by Nelly Furtado.)
- “Drinking Games” Apple Music Playlist (101 songs, over 6 hours of music.)
Create Your Own Playlist
- Mix classics with high-energy bangers.
- Include songs with easy-to-follow drinking rules.
- Add a few wild cards for a surprise challenge.
Bonus – Funny Drinking Game Songs You Might Not Expect!
- “Let It Go” – Frozen Soundtrack (Take a sip every time she sings “let it go.”)
- “Baby Shark” – Pinkfong (Drink whenever you regret your life choices.)
- “Barbie Girl” – Aqua (Take a shot every time you hear “Barbie” or “Ken.”)
Final Thoughts – Time to Press Play & Party!
The best drinking game songs don’t just fill the silence—they create unforgettable moments. Whether you’re screaming the lyrics to “Sweet Caroline,” failing miserably at “The Rattlin’ Bog,” or attempting to keep up with “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” the right playlist turns an ordinary night into an epic one.
So grab your drinks, pick your game, and let the music do the rest. Just remember—drink responsibly, stay hydrated, and don’t be the person who passes out before the playlist ends.