Top 10 campfire sing-along songs
My husband and I are major campers. We start our camping season in mid-March and usually go until the Thanksgiving long weekend, weather pending of course. Now that might sound a little nutty to most but we love it. One of our favourite parts of camping is simply sitting around the fire relaxing, visiting, having a couple drinks and listening to some great music. Our music usually comes in iPod form, as no one in our immediate group knows how to play the guitar. Until that changes, I will continue to go the playlist and speaker route.
Here are my top 10 songs, in no specific order, to put on your campfire playlist. They are perfect if you’re like me and need to just throw them on your playlist or if someone in the group is talented enough, to bust out the guitar and sing along to.
1. Neil Diamond "Sweet Caroline"
I bet in your head you just went ‘bah bah bah’ didn’t you? This is a classic sing-a-long no matter where you are. It’s a song liked by all and goes great with a warm and gooey s’more.
2. Bob Marley “No Woman No Cry”
Who could resist singing along to a Bob Marley tune? This is a feel good reggae jam that will get people swaying back in forth in their camp chairs.
3.
Lynyrd Skynyrd “Sweet Home
–
Alabama”
– It’s a country-rock anthem that everyone knows and loves. Everyone will be tapping their toes and belting out the chorus.
4. Don McLean “American Pie”
– Another classic on the list that has been sung at many a campfire. It’s easily the longest song on the list at just over eight-and-a-half minutes but that doesn’t mean that the baby boomers around the fire won’t know every single word.
5. Green Day “Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)
– I bet you first heard this song at a graduation, funeral, school dance or series finale of your favourite late-’90s TV show. Well this also makes for a great campfire sing-along.
- What makes this a great campfire rock song? It’s eerie melody, its scary story and a long guitar solo. Plus I’m told that the chords in this song are easy for a novice guitar player to play.
6. Eagles “Hotel California” 7. Oasis “Wonderwall”
– There have been numerous covers of this song over the years. It’s so popular and wellknown that you should have no problem at all getting friends to join in on this one.
8. Barenaked Ladies “If I Had $1,000,000”
– This is a fun song with relatable subject matter and a friendly summer camp vibe. Where better to play this than in a fun outdoor setting?
9.Van Morrison “Brown Eyed Girl”
– Another big crowd pleaser on the list. Everyone may not sing every word with you but you can count on them to jump in and sing the “sha la la la la la la la la la la te da”part!
– Easily
10. Tom Petty “Free Fallin'”
one of Petty’s most famous tracks, this one is probably on more camping playlists than there are sleeping bags and hot dogs at campsites. The chorus of this one was built perfectly for a fireside rendition.
There are so many other great tunes that would go perfectly with a roaring campfire but these are my 10 go-to’s and I’m sure they will make a great addition to your next camping trip. Oh and by the way, if you’re reading this and can play the guitar, I’m in the market for a resident guitar playing buddy to join us on our fun camping weekends with friends. Cold drinks and s’mores included.
Amber Beierbach is 105.3 ROCK’s Promo Guru! You can also hear her on air Tuesdays from 7-10 p.m.