While requests are welcome and encouraged at dueling piano performances, some songs are more popular. You won't get all these songs on the same night, but a few will likely appear.
| Song Title | Artist | Genre | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Piano Man | Billy Joel | Soft Rock | 1973 |
| Your Song | Elton John | Soft Rock / Ballad | 1970 |
| Tiny Dancer | Elton John | Soft Rock | 1971 |
| Imagine | John Lennon | Soft Rock / Ballad | 1971 |
| Let It Be | The Beatles | Rock Ballad | 1970 |
| Sweet Caroline | Neil Diamond | Soft Rock / Pop | 1969 |
| Don’t Stop Believin’ | Journey | Rock | 1981 |
| Bohemian Rhapsody | Queen | Rock / Progressive Rock | 1975 |
| Free Fallin’ | Tom Petty | Rock / Folk Rock | 1989 |
| Livin’ on a Prayer | Bon Jovi | Rock / Hard Rock | 1986 |
| Shake It Off | Taylor Swift | Pop | 2014 |
| Uptown Funk | Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars | Funk / Pop | 2014 |
| Rolling in the Deep | Adele | Pop / Soul | 2010 |
| Shallow | Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper | Pop / Country Rock | 2018 |
| I Will Survive | Gloria Gaynor | Disco / Pop | 1978 |
| Friends in Low Places | Garth Brooks | Country | 1990 |
| Take Me Home, Country Roads | John Denver | Country / Folk | 1971 |
| Wagon Wheel | Darius Rucker | Country / Americana | 2013 |
| Chicken Fried | Zac Brown Band | Country | 2008 |
| Jolene | Dolly Parton | Country | 1973 |
| My Girl | The Temptations | Soul / Motown | 1964 |
| Ain’t No Mountain High Enough | Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell | Soul / Motown | 1967 |
| I Want You Back | Jackson 5 | Motown / Pop | 1969 |
| Superstition | Stevie Wonder | Funk / Soul | 1972 |
| Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours | Stevie Wonder | Soul / Motown | 1970 |
Piano Classics and Ballads
A dueling piano performance is more than just a night out. Everybody can get involved with the music being played in the bar. Understandably, piano-heavy classics are great songs for dueling pianos. After all, they don't require arranging to be played on the piano (not that this poses a problem for most dueling pianos) and have been around long enough that most audiences will be familiar with them.
Piano Man - Billy Joel (1973)
Genre: Soft Rock
This Billy Joel classic is the quintessential dueling piano song. With its storytelling lyrics and instantly recognizable harmonica intro, Piano Man is practically a guaranteed sing-along. Crowds love belting out the chorus, making it a staple for any dueling piano setlist.
How can you not include Piano Man in a dueling pianos evening?
Your Song - Elton John (1970)
Genre: Soft Rock / Ballad
Your Song is an iconic ballad that showcases Elton John's masterful piano work. Its heartfelt lyrics resonate across generations, making it a frequent request during dueling piano shows. This song is incredible during slower segments or romantic moments, but almost any Elton John song would be.
Tiny Dancer - Elton John (1971)
Genre: Soft Rock
Another Elton John song. With its catchy chorus and memorable piano riffs, Tiny Dancer is a crowd favorite that encourages massive sing-alongs. The song builds beautifully, creating a perfect opportunity for dueling pianists to play off each other.
Imagine - John Lennon (1971)
Genre: Soft Rock / Ballad
Imagine is a timeless piano song. Its profound yet straightforward melody allows for improv among dueling pianists while engaging the audience in a reflective sing-along. It's a great song to slow things down and unite the crowd.
Let It Be - The Beatles (1970)
Genre: Rock Ballad
Let It Be always gets the crowd singing. The piano-driven melody is perfect for live dueling piano performances, allowing each pianist to harmonize and interact with the audience.
Rock Anthems
While a classic ballad is always lovely, these anthems will get any audience singing at a dueling piano performance. These kinds of dueling piano bar songs can be played almost anywhere, and nobody will mind.
Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond (1969)
Genre: Soft Rock / Pop
Few songs generate crowd interaction like Sweet Caroline. The iconic sing-along part (you know what it is) is practically a ritual at dueling piano shows. This anthem’s catchy chorus and upbeat tempo make it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser every single time.
Don’t Stop Believin’ - Journey (1981)
Genre: Rock
This song has become the anthem of sing-alongs. The audience will always get involved, whether you've hired dueling pianos for a corporate event, wedding, or bar night. The build-up to the chorus makes it ideal for dueling piano shows, as both performers can hype up the crowd for the big sing-along.
Why listen to the studio version when we can show you a dueling piano version?
Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen (1975)
Genre: Rock / Progressive Rock
One of the most iconic rock songs of all time, Bohemian Rhapsody is ambitious yet incredibly rewarding for dueling pianists. It goes from ballad to operatic to hard rock and allows dueling pianists to showcase their versatility. The audience typically joins in for the operatic parts, making it a huge interactive moment.
Free Fallin’ - Tom Petty (1989)
Genre: Rock / Folk Rock
A timeless classic that resonates with all age groups, Free Fallin’ is a perfect song for a laid-back, sing-along moment during a dueling piano show. The simple chord progression allows both pianists to harmonize while the audience belts out the chorus.
Livin’ on a Prayer - Bon Jovi (1986)
Genre: Rock / Hard Rock
Few songs bring the energy like Livin' on a Prayer, and audiences are always more than halfway there. Dueling pianists can split up the parts and build anticipation before exploding into the chorus, making it a must-play for energetic crowds.
Piano Man - Billy Joel (1973)
Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond (1969)
Don’t Stop Believin’ - Journey (1981)
Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen (1975)
Livin’ on a Prayer - Bon Jovi (1986)
Pop and Modern Hits
Any dueling pianist will know the classics and a range of contemporary hits. They'll be able to keep the evening going, whether it's an older or younger crowd or a mix of both.
Here are some of the more modern (though some are already ten years old!) hits.
Shake It Off - Taylor Swift (2014)
Genre: Pop
With an infectious beat and catchy lyrics, Shake It Off is a crowd favorite for younger audiences and those who love modern pop. Dueling pianists often encourage clapping and dancing, turning the venue into an instant party. Its structure makes it easy for crowds to join in, even if they don't know all the words.
Uptown Funk – Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars (2014)
Genre: Funk / Pop
This song is high-energy from start to finish. Uptown Funk is perfect for dueling pianos because it encourages audience participation, clapping, and dancing. The piano rendition brings a unique twist, highlighting its catchy bassline and funky vibe.
Rolling in the Deep - Adele (2010)
Genre: Pop / Soul
Adele’s anthem translates beautifully to the piano. The driving rhythm and strong vocal lines allow dueling pianists to show off their skills while the audience passionately sings along. Its dramatic crescendos make it a powerful choice for live performance.
Shallow - Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper (2018)
Genre: Pop / Country Rock
Since its appearance in A Star Is Born, Shallow has become a staple for live music performances. Its emotional build-up and duet format work perfectly for dueling pianos, allowing each pianist to take on a vocal role. Audiences often join in during the final chorus, creating a powerful group experience.
I Will Survive – Gloria Gaynor (1978)
Genre: Disco / Pop
While not that modern, this is an empowering anthem that never fails to get a crowd singing. I Will Survive is perfect for high-energy moments during dueling piano shows. Its catchy chorus and upbeat tempo make it a fun sing-along experience, especially for large groups.
Audience sing-along potential
Strong piano presence
Nostalgia factor
High-energy moments
Dueling possibilities
Country
While the genre is undoubtedly more popular in some places than others, country music can bring a real vibe to dueling piano shows, rather than being unusual dueling piano songs. Here are some of the more popular country songs performed at shows.
Friends in Low Places - Garth Brooks (1990)
Genre: Country
Friends in Low Places is a must for any dueling piano show with a country-loving crowd. Its infectious chorus gets everyone singing along at the most popular piano bars. The playful, rebellious tone makes it a natural choice for audience interaction and friendly heckling.
Take Me Home, Country Roads - John Denver (1971)
Genre: Country / Folk
An anthem for sing-alongs, Take Me Home, Country Roads is a timeless classic that almost every audience knows. The simple chord structure is perfect for dueling pianists to harmonize, and the lyrics are practically designed for loud, heartfelt crowd participation. In or out of West Virginia, this is a popular choice.
Wagon Wheel - Darius Rucker (2013)
Genre: Country / Americana
Originally written by Bob Dylan and later popularized by Darius Rucker, Wagon Wheel is a perfect dueling piano song. Its simple, repetitive chorus and feel-good rhythm make it easy for the audience to jump in and sing along. It’s particularly effective at weddings and large gatherings.
Chicken Fried – Zac Brown Band (2008)
Genre: Country
Chicken Fried is a crowd favorite that always brings out the Southern spirit. Its upbeat, feel-good lyrics get people clapping, singing, and sometimes even line-dancing. It's a fantastic choice for any event that brings a bit of country flair to the party.
Jolene - Dolly Parton (1973)
Genre: Country
Jolene is one of the most iconic country ballads ever written. Its haunting melody and emotional lyrics captivate audiences. Dueling pianists often split harmonies and build dramatic tension, making it a standout moment during shows.
Motown and Soul Classics
Motown and soul are other genres that work excellently with the dueling piano format. Here are some of the most popular choices.
My Girl - The Temptations (1964)
Genre: Soul / Motown
Few songs are as instantly recognizable as My Girl. Its smooth melody and catchy bassline are perfect for piano adaptation, and the chorus is a guaranteed sing-along. This track is often used during lighter moments of a dueling piano show, bringing a nostalgic smile to the crowd.
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell (1967)
Genre: Soul / Motown
The call-and-response format of Ain’t No Mountain High Enough is ideal for dueling pianos. The two pianists can split the vocal parts, and the audience can sing along with verses and chorus. Its uplifting message and iconic melody make it a must-play.
I Want You Back - Jackson 5 (1969)
Genre: Motown / Pop
This energetic track is perfect for getting the crowd moving. Its upbeat rhythm and catchy hooks translate well to the piano, creating a high-energy moment in any dueling piano set.
Superstition - Stevie Wonder (1972)
Genre: Funk / Soul
Superstition brings a funky edge to any dueling piano performance. Its iconic keyboard riff is immediately recognizable, and the rhythmic groove gets the crowd clapping and swaying.
Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours - Stevie Wonder (1970)
Genre: Soul / Motown
This Stevie Wonder classic is an absolute crowd-pleaser. Its infectious rhythm and feel-good lyrics make it perfect for sing-alongs. Dueling pianists often bring the audience in on the chorus, filling the room with energy and good vibes.
A dueling piano night is unlike any other music event. It's an interactive, high-energy affair complete with audience-driven requests that keep the bar rocking (and rolling) from start to finish.
Whether it's Piano Man by Billy Joel, Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond, or Don't Stop Believin' by Journey, everyone will find a song they love.
These songs form the backbone of unforgettable experiences and are really popular, but at any dueling piano event, the real fun comes from the crowd's requests. You can always request something else if you're not into sweet sing-alongs or doing Don McLean's American Pie.
The next time you're at a piano bar or planning a dueling piano event, remember that while these songs are iconic, they won't make up the whole evening's playlist. The real gems come from unexpected requests, not the classics!
You can always leave a generous tip for the pianists to ensure your favorite song gets played.
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