What's That Song - Drinking Game Rules & How to Play

What's That Song is a drinking game in the Team Games category for 4-16 players that takes about 15-30 min with a easy difficulty level.

Humming songs to guess

Equipment Needed

Setup

Split into two teams and decide who goes first. Have each team prepare a list of songs they want to use as clues, or use a playlist on someone's phone for random selection. Arrange drinks nearby and make sure everyone understands the humming-only rule,no lyrics, no words.

How to Play What's That Song

  1. Set up the game according to basic rules
  2. Players take turns or play simultaneously
  3. Penalties result in drinking
  4. Success means assigning drinks
  5. Continue until winner emerges
  6. Loser faces final penalty
  7. Winner earns bragging rights
  8. Adjust rules as needed for your group

Tips & Strategies

Hum the chorus of the song instead of the verse, as it's usually more recognizable. If you're struggling, focus on mimicking the rhythm or beat rather than the melody. Assign a team captain to keep track of penalties and drink assignments,you'll need someone organized when the guesses start flying. If a team struggles for more than 30 seconds, enforce a penalty round to keep the game moving.

Variations

No Repeat Rule: Once a song has been successfully guessed, it can't be used again for the rest of the game.. Speed Humming: Each round is limited to 10 seconds per guess, and incorrect guesses result in an immediate drink penalty.. Reverse Guess: Instead of humming, players attempt to guess the song based on a teammate's clumsy attempts to whistle the tune.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we include songs in other languages?
Yes! Songs in any language can be used, but remember that the humming should focus on universally recognizable tunes rather than lyrics.
What happens if no one guesses the song?
If no one guesses the song within the agreed time limit, the humming player drinks as a penalty and the turn passes to the next team.
Can players talk during the guessing round?
No, only guesses are allowed. Any team caught giving verbal hints beyond the humming is penalized with a drink.
What’s the final penalty for the losing team?
The losing team must finish their drinks and hum a song chosen by the winning team as an ultimate challenge.

Players: 4-16 | Duration: 15-30 min | Difficulty: easy

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