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During the holiday season, the music choices of those who observe Christmas (and are fans of Mariah Carey) are filled with traditional songs, much like a stocking overflowing with oranges. You’ll find Frosty the Snowman, The Little Drummer Boy, and even a collaboration between Cyndi Lauper and Pelle Almqvist’s mother from The Hives.
However, the new year is frequently overlooked in terms of creating a musical playlist. So, without ranking, here are some of the top songs to start off the next 366 days (I verified).
Sugababes – New Year (2000)
Although “Overload” is considered the classic track of the original Sugababes, I believe “New Year” from their first album, One Touch, deserves equal recognition. Co-written by Siobhán Donaghy, Mutya Buena, and Keisha Buchanan, the song tells the story of a Christmas breakup and the possibility of rekindling the romance one year later (“Sitting here stressing at 2:30am …”).
A harmonious pop-R&B song featuring the soulful vocals of the original members, incorporating acoustic guitar and a strong drumbeat with ambient crackling effects reminiscent of a cozy winter fire or the sound of a needle on a record. Upon its debut, the Guardian likened it to Wham!’s Last Christmas, a significant compliment.
The song “This Will Be Our Year” by The Zombies was released in 1968.
The song, “This Will Be Our Year,” starts off with a happy piano tune followed by the snare drum and trumpets. Its nostalgic 60s style and hopeful lyrics (“all your worries are gone”) have been performed by a variety of artists including Cher, the Beautiful South, and OK Go. It has also been featured on popular TV shows like Mad Men. At just two minutes long, this song showcases St Albans’ underrated talent, often compared to the Beach Boys. It’s a great choice for a slow and graceful dance.
The song “New Year’s Day” was released by Taylor Swift in 2017.
Arguably the most notable storyteller of the millennial generation when it comes to parties and excessive drinking (“How did we even end up on the floor? / You blame it on ‘your roommate’s cheap-ass screw-top rosé'”), Taylor Swift’s addition to the New Year’s canon is a beautifully observed piano ballad – a departure from her otherwise electronic and synth-heavy album, Reputation – that delves into the aftermath of a wild night. “There’s glitter scattered on the floor from the party / Girls walking down the lobby with their shoes in hand,” she sings, before using a party-themed comparison to describe her commitment to staying with her significant other through both good and bad times, noting that she’s content to “clean up bottles with you on New Year’s Day.”
“Swift mentioned that the lyrics, co-written with collaborator Jack Antonoff, speak to a sense of permanence by asking who would be there to provide Advil and tidy up the house. The inspiration for its sound and emotional rawness came from Joni Mitchell, according to the pair. The question of whether Travis Kelce is the type to help with a hangover remains to be seen.”
The song “The New Year” was released in 2003 by the band Death Cab for Cutie.
The opening line of “So this is the New Year / And I don’t feel any different” showcases Ben Gibbard and his band’s understanding of those who don’t feel inspired by January 1st and reject the idea of seasonal self-improvement. Gibbard also expresses his lack of resolutions or self-imposed punishments for problems that have simple solutions, accompanied by intense drums (courtesy of new member Jason McGerr) and flickering guitar, with subtle background noises adding depth. This track is from Transatlanticism, an album with no weak songs, where The New Year briefly embraces celebration (“so everybody put your best suit and dress on”) before returning to the overall contemplative tone and recurring themes of separation and yearning.
The song “New Year’s Prayer” was released by Jeff Buckley in 1998.
The musical version of New Year’s Prayer, based on a poem written and read by Jeff Buckley in New York on New Year’s Eve of 1995, deviates from the original seasonal storytelling and instead focuses on a repeated plea for freedom and a fresh start. Despite its simplicity, the track remains captivating and has gained a cult following thanks to Buckley’s hypnotic and ethereal vocals, influenced by the Pakistani singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Originally recorded in 1996-1997, the song was released posthumously on Sketches for My Sweetheart the Drunk (1998).
The song “New Year’s Day” by U2 was released in 1983.
New Year’s Day, the debut single from their 1983 album War, was influenced by Poland’s Solidarity movement. Bono revealed that his original intention was for the song to be a love song, but he found himself referencing the Polish uprising and Lech Wałęsa’s internment. This is evident in lyrics such as “The newspapers say it’s true / And we can break through.” The song gained popularity with the Edge’s distinctive guitar riffs and Adam Clayton’s pulsing bassline, making it the band’s first Top 10 hit in the UK.
The song “New Year” was released by The Breeders in 1993.
One minute and 56 seconds of a gloriously thrashing Breeders, taken from alt-rock classic Last Splash AKA one of the best LPs of the 90s. Beginning with languid, woozy vocals, New Year changes pace abruptly with Jim MacPherson’s hyperactive drums and an insanely chaotic guitar riff. You also can’t really argue with Kim Deal when she sings “I am the new year, I am the rain / I am the sun, I am the new year” because she does it so determinedly, despite the fact she is anthropomorphising actual weather and the Gregorian calendar. I recommend this rehearsal performance of the track in Deal’s basement (complete with fairy lights) preceding the band’s 2013 reunion tour, and filmed on an iPhone.
The song “Happy New Year” by Abba was released in 1980 to celebrate the start of a new year.
The working title for this song is “Daddy Don’t Get Drunk on Christmas Day,” which may seem confusing as it does not mention a father or Christmas Day. The Swedish band’s New Year song from their famous Super Trouper album has a melancholic tone. Despite its catchy chorus, the lyrics are reflective. Lead singer Agnetha Fältskog sings about the end of the celebrations and contemplates the state of the world and life’s deeper questions. However, there is still a glimmer of hope as she wishes for a world where everyone can be friends.
The track was produced in Barbados during January of 1980, marking the end of the decade. Originally, it was a concept from Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson for a musical centered around New Year’s Eve, which they presented to John Cleese. Despite not coming to fruition, the song was included on a subsequent album and gained popularity in Spanish-speaking regions of South America.
In 1967, Otis Redding and Carla Thomas collaborated on the song “New Year’s Resolution.”
New Year’s Resolution, a sultry slow jam from Otis Redding’s collaborative album with Carla Thomas (King & Queen), features a dialogue between two lovers vowing to better themselves. Redding suggests turning over a new leaf and making promises they can keep, while Thomas acknowledges that women also make mistakes.
Sadly, Redding was not able to experience the song’s debut on New Year’s – he passed away in a plane accident in the beginning of December, the same year it was released.
The song “Auld Lang Syne (The New Year’s Anthem)” was released by Mariah Carey in 2010.
Many individuals have discussed Auld Lang Syne (originally a poem by Robert Burns and a folk song before that), but what sets Mariah Carey’s rendition from her Merry Christmas II You album apart is its remarkably low-budget green screen music video that appears to have been filmed in front of a Windows XP screensaver.
With a background of a cod-house beat that could easily be found on an outdated Casio keyboard, a visibly pregnant Carey sways with only her upper body and at around two and a half minutes into the song, she asks, “Does anyone truly know the lyrics?” She then effortlessly hits a high note before concluding with a countdown to the chorus. It’s undeniably terrible yet strangely impressive in its terribleness. However, the nine remixes released by Island were unnecessary.
Camera Obscura – Happy New Year (2001)
From the first album produced by Stuart Murdoch for the Glaswegian band, Biggest Bluest Hi-Fi, comes Happy New Year, a lesser-known Camera Obscura track that references the holiday. While the group’s New Year’s Resolution from 2013’s Desire Lines has gained popularity (we miss you, Carey Lander), it’s difficult for me to choose any other song that begins with the lyrics: “Did the ironing in a cowboy hat.”
This song is a flawless and uncomplicated example of breezy pop music. It features a catchy guitar riff and harmonies in the background. Not only that, but it’s also an incredibly unique and emotionally truthful love song that also has a touch of humor. The lyrics express the struggle of trying to make a relationship succeed, with lines like “I’m willing to fight for us / I’ll use glue or an elastic band to keep us together.” It’s a delightful piece of music, and the band will be coming back next year as well.
What are the Orioles planning for New Year’s Eve in 1949?
Frank Loesser, known for writing the musical “Guys and Dolls,” penned this heartfelt song in 1947. The first recording was done by Margaret Whiting, but it has since been performed by countless singers (Ella Fitzgerald’s version being the most famous). However, for me, the definitive version will always be the one by the Baltimore doo-wop pioneers.
The simple structure and straightforward melodies of the song in question, along with its flattering lyrics (“out of the many invitations you receive”), are characteristic of a band that would go on to have a significant impact on countless R&B vocal groups.
Even though January 1st may seem like a late date to be discussing a New Year’s Eve song, there is valid reasoning behind it. It is rumored that Loesser was annoyed by the frequent playing of the song in December because the lyrics suggest the narrator is making a move on their love interest well in advance (“maybe it’s too early in the game…”). Count me in for the countdown to 2025.
The Eagles released their song “Funky New Year” in 1978.
For the term “funky” in this context, understand it as being extremely hungover. This song is widely considered to be the ultimate “morning after” tune, regardless of whether it was played on New Year’s Eve. The song begins with party noises like party horns and people chatting, then quickly transitions into groovy riffs similar to those of Wild Cherry; seductive licks that would even make Nile Rodgers blush; and some intense clavinet playing. Lead vocalist Don Henley sings, “Woke up this morning / I don’t know how / Last night I was a happy man / But the way I feel right now,” before playfully asking about the owner of a pair of shoes in classic house party fashion. Originally released as the B-side to their cover of Charles Brown’s “Please Come Home for Christmas,” it wasn’t until the band performed the song at a massive 1999 concert in Los Angeles to ring in the new millennium that it received the recognition it deserved.
Peggy Lee’s “My Dear Acquaintance (A Happy New Year)” was released in 2006.
Peggy Lee co-wrote the song “My Dear Acquaintance” in 1983, but it was not included in her musical “Peg” at the time. It was finally released in 2006, showcasing a somber combination of piano and strings with a message of community spirit. However, Lee’s melancholic vocals give the song a heartbreaking tone rather than an uplifting one. Several years later, Regina Spektor covered the song for the compilation album Gift Wrapped, adding ironic sounds of war to the lyrics “All that is gentle / Kind and forgiving.” Spektor also offers her own New Year song on the album.
The song “New Year” was released by Beach House in 2012.
The opening of Beach House’s song features airy and swirling vocals paired with twinkling synths. The track, titled “New Year,” begins softly before shifting into a more abstract and moody tone with muddy bass and fuzzy guitars from Alex Scally. The song takes various turns, going from an ethereal atmosphere to a catchy pop sound to a brooding, Twin Peaks-inspired vibe. The lyrics reflect a lack of clear direction and uncertainty, as they question personal ambitions and goals. Singer Victoria Legrand muses, “Is all you ever wanted slipping away?” This song is perfect for introspective listening on a journey back from visiting family over the holidays, perhaps in the same bedroom you slept in as a teenager. Ah, the complexities of life.
The song “Let’s Start the New Year Right” was released by Bing Crosby in 1942.
In 1942, Bing Crosby released a song, written by Irving Berlin, that served as a romantic take on a wellness anthem with hints of blues. The track was featured in the film Holiday Inn, where Crosby co-starred with Fred Astaire. Berlin also wrote the hit “White Christmas” for the same movie. The upbeat and uplifting lyrics, paired with the use of brass instruments, make Berlin’s song a stark contrast to the Eagles’ melancholic vibe.
Van Morrison – Celtic New Year (2005)
I’m not sure if there is a creepier opening line to a song than “If I don’t see you through the week / See you through the window,” so it’s just as well the following six minutes of gorgeous, plaintive blues almost make up for it. The Celtic New Year is in fact the first day of November, but we won’t let that get in the way of appreciating this long-distance love story, from the viewpoint of a nomadic troubadour, on 1 January. With Morrison calling to an absent lover in his signature, emotive growl, strings by the Irish Film Orchestra and Paddy Moloney’s whistle-playing outro combine to make this one of the most accomplished and back-on-form songs from Morrison’s 31st studio album Magic Time.
Charles Brown – Bringing in a Brand New Year (1961)
Featuring impressive instrumental solos (saxophone, electric guitar, and cello) and a lively beat created by finger-snapping and hand-clapping, Charles Brown proves his ability to kick off the new year with a fun and jazzy track from his popular Christmas album. Despite fading from the music scene during the rise of rock and roll, Brown continued to release numerous recordings as a solo artist and part of the Three Blazers. In this song, his optimistic and ambitious lyrics know no bounds as he sings about making resolutions and reaching for the stars, even suggesting a trip to Mars. This certainly puts the goal of Dry January into perspective.
Source: theguardian.com
