A NEW SURVEY has shown that no matter what state they’re in, the Irish really are fond of a tune – with Journey’s Don’t Stop Believing the country’s favourite karaoke classic.

The online survey asked 400 people about their partying preferences – and found that the evergreen Journey hit topped the nation’s preferences for karaoke classics in a multiple choice poll.

85 per cent of the 400 respondents to the survey said they enjoyed taking part in karaoke on a night out – and 30 per cent said they took part at least a couple of times a year.

42 per cent were brave enough to take the mic alone, the survey also found.

Asked for their favourite native Irish karaoke song, the Pogues’ Christmas classic Fairytale of New York ran out an easy winner – with U2′s Beautiful Day, surprisingly, coming bottom.

Lady Gaga was named the most preferred duet partner, scoring 35 per cent of the vote, ahead of Canadian crooner Michael Buble. Susan Boyle came bottom of the wish-list, with just 3 per cent support.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, pop songs were by far the most popular genre, being the first preference of 79 per cent – though traditional Irish tunes like the Fields of Athenry were the least popular genre, with just five per cent opting for such songs.

The survey was carried out by Dublin bar The George to promote a new weekly karaoke event.