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Mariah Carey_122118

Mariah Carey

Photo by: Don Emmert/AFP/Getty Images

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Classic New Year’s Eve Songs 10-classic-songs-ring-new-year

10 Classic Songs To Ring In The New Year

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As you watch the ball drop and pop the champagne, hit “play” on these classic—but never musty—New Year’s tunes
Rachel Brodsky
GRAMMYs
Dec 31, 2018 - 9:50 am

New Year’s Eve is a time to celebrate, to embrace friends and family, reflect on life’s big changes and perhaps set a few resolutions. All the celebration calls for the perfect New Year’s Eve playlist, whether you’re heading out on the town or chilling at home by the television with a glass of wine.

There are plenty of New Year’s tunes out there—really there’s something for everybody, no matter what your genre tastes. We’ve found some all-time classics by GRAMMY winner and pop idol Mariah Carey, ‘70s disco queens Abba, blues legend Etta James and more for your NYE playlist. Trust us, these celebratory songs never go out of style.

1. "Auld Lang Syne (The New Year's Anthem)," Mariah Carey

For the reigning Queen of Christmas-pop, it makes perfect sense that, to close out her second holiday record, Merry Christmas II You (2010), Carey would do a whistling, dancefloor-ready take on Scottish poet and lyricist Robert Burns’ 18th century folk song. Listen to this one as soon as the clock strikes midnight for maximum effect.

2. Happy New Year,” ABBA

ABBA’s operatic 1980 gem might be pretty specific in terms of time period (the Swedish quartet bids farewell to the ‘70s while pondering “what lies waiting down the line/ In the end of eighty-nine”), but its sentiment gets to the heart of what New Year’s Eve is all about: the hope of better things to come.

3. "It's Just Another New Year's Eve," Barry Manilow

This ‘70s chestnut, which Barry Manilow has performed at Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve numerous times, never goes out of style. Atop tinkling piano, the silky singer wisely encourages his audience not to be bummed out that another year is over. Instead, imagine the possibilities a new year can bring! “Tonight’s another chance to start again,” the GRAMMY winner warbles. And how right he is.

4. "Happy New Year," Judy Garland

Don’t be fooled by the title to Judy Garland’s '50s New Years’ staple: The lyrics within, written by midcentury composer Gordon Jenkins, are actually rather forlorn, bemoaning a New Year’s evening spent all by her lonesome.

And as if that weren’t enough, while partygoers are “donning their silly paper hats,” the beloved standards singer and actress is spending the night looking back to a time when the dawn of a new year wasn’t so solitary: “I love the days we spent together/ Before the old year lost its shine/ I'll keep that memory locked within my heart/ That happy new year you were mine.” Garland’s NYE tribute might be wistful, but it's real.

5. “Happy New Year," Nat "King" Cole

A few years later, in 1963, Nat “King" Cole sang a gorgeous rendition of Jenkins’ famous track, adding strings and cooing background vocals.

6. "Let's Start the New Year Right," Bing Crosby

"How can we go wrong if we start the New Year right?" wonders Bing Crosby in his 1943 anthem. It’s the ideal follow-up and optimistic sentiment to rival Crosby’s other holiday-season classic, “White Christmas.”

7. "Funky New Year," Eagles

In 1978, soft-rock greats Eagles released their cover of Charles Brown’s "Please Come Home For Christmas." Turn that single around, though, and you get the decade-appropriate B-side “Funky New Year.” Against a pop-funk bass line, Don Henley & Co. encourage every partygoer to “party hardy” (don’t mind if we do), before asking, "What year is this, anyway?”

8. "Champagne & Wine," Etta James

Recorded for Etta James' 28th and final record, The Dreamer, “Champagne & Wine” was originally done in 1968 by the great Otis Redding. Either version will do, when you’re building that New Year’s Eve playlist, but it never hurts to honor GRAMMY winner and Lifetime Achievement Award recipient James, who kept singing right up to the end of her life in 2014.

9. "New Year's Resolution," Otis Redding and Carla Thomas

While we’re on the topic of Otis Redding, it certainly wouldn’t hurt to include his and Carla Thomas’ horn-filled 1968 duet “New Year’s Resolution.” The two trade verses, portraying a couple who has experienced tough times but very badly want to make amends and keep their promises in the New Year. At least they’re both on the same page!

10. "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve" Ella Fitzgerald

1940s doo-wop troupe The Orioles originally sang this standard, but a little more than a decade later, jazz icon Ella Fitzgerald recorded her trilling, brass-led rendition. And you can never go wrong with a little Ella.

For The Record: B.B. King's "Auld Lane Syne"

Beyoncé

Beyoncé

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9 Songs To Play As The New Year's Ball Drops bts-beyonc%C3%A9-prince-9-countdown-songs-play-new-years-eve

BTS, Beyoncé, Prince: 9 Countdown Songs To Play On New Year's Eve

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Need some adds to your NYE party playlist? These nine songs will help you countdown to 2018 in grand fashion
THE GRAMMYs
GRAMMYs
Dec 29, 2017 - 1:20 pm

No matter where you come from, there's one countdown we can all join in together to celebrate: the end of the year. And across all time zones, cultures and traditions, there's one constant in this New Year's ritual: music.

Whether the bar band kicks into that special tune, blaring it out over the noisemakers and silent kissers, or the DJ eases the crossfade into that perfect song she's been holding onto all night, the music playing on New Year's Eve represents so much — where we are, where we're going and, most importantly, the moment itself.

From Prince and Van Halen to BTS, Tiësto and Queen Bey, here are nine songs ripe for any New Year's celebration that we promise will help usher in 2018 in sonic style.

Prince, "1999"

Sure, we may not be entering the actual year 2000 this New Year's, but wasn't this timeless Prince hit always metaphorical anyway? Now, 18 years after the night it imagined and a whopping 36 years after the song was originally released (on the album of the same name), "1999" stands as a definitive party anthem. Few other artists' songs demand the listener to move the way Prince's do, and as "1999" suggests, "Life is just a party, and parties weren't meant to last." It also reminds us to live in the moment. — Nate Hertweck

Beyoncé, "Countdown"

If ever there's a couples jam for New Year's, it's gotta be Queen Bey's "Countdown." Through the "ups and downs" in love, Beyoncé professes love for her soul mate in this sweet and sexy confection, citing him as a perfect 10 and proclaiming, "He's still the one." Here's hoping you have someone to spend NYE with who's game to meet you at the finish line come midnight. — Tim McPhate

BTS, "Mic Drop"

K-Pop ambassadors BTS capture the attitude of living life to the fullest with their "Mic Drop" hit, which features a remix with Steve Aoki and Desiigner. The seven-member collective's "Mic Drop" boast — "Did you see my bag? It's hella trophies and it's hella thick" — bottles how BTS are capping their sensational year. If you're feeling unsure about the road ahead in 2018, try some BTS to bring your spirits up. — Philip Merrill

Otis Redding & Carla Thomas, "New Year's Resolution"

Get a jump start on making those New Year's resolutions with some classic soul by way of Otis Redding and Carla Thomas. As one might expect, the resolutions presented by the pair are perfect for couples looking back on a year's relationship: "Let's turn over a new leaf/And baby let's make promises/That we can keep." It all adds up to the perfect soundtrack for cuddling up to your honey as the ball drops and making a few resolutions to keep together. — Renée Fabian

Tiësto Feat. Jónsi, "Kaleidoscope" (Extended Mix)

Ethereal vocals courtesy of Jónsi, frontman/guitarist for the inscrutable Icelandic experimental rock band Sigur Rós, alternately counting upward from zero and encouraging collective unity, as "we sing in unison," open this extended mix version of the intro track from Dutch DJ/producer Tiësto's 2009 album of the same name. Over the course of more than five minutes, "Kaleidoscope" slowly builds across icy pads and airy, ratcheting percussion lines toward an ecstatic trance synth that burns like a bright white light before the bass finally drops and sets you free to dance your way into next year. Pro tip: Have the track cued up and press play at 11:54:05 p.m. The drop will kick in at exactly midnight. — Brian Haack

John Elliott, "At The End Of The Year"

In case you're feeling more reflective than turned up this New Year's, fear not — there's a perfect song for you, too. San Francisco singer/songwriter John Elliott's "At The End Of The Year," which was just released Dec. 15, is the perfect late-night/early-morning soundtrack for the baton pass from the old you, to the new you. On the first single from his upcoming album, North Star, Elliott sings with a fresh frankness, "Everything is changing down here at the end of the year," and somehow we know something better is just around the corner. It must be. — N.H.

Van Halen, "Bottom's Up!"

This deep track from Van Halen's 1979 sophomore LP truly bottles the template for the Southern California group's early combustible sound. There's Alex Van Halen's frenetic groove, Michael Anthony's steady bass playing and Eddie Van Halen's other-worldly riffing. Overseeing the musical proceedings is David Lee Roth, whose ringleader vocal antics make you feel like you're partying with the group right there in the room. Of course, the subject matter couldn't be more appropriate for celebrating New Year's. Per Diamond Dave, remember to fill your cup up. But please do so responsibly. — T.M.

Idina Menzel, "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?"

This classic New Year's Eve tune dates back to 1947, when it was written by Frank Loesser. It first charted for the Orioles in 1949 and since then it's been covered by everyone from Ella Fitzgerald to Kacey Musgraves, and in 2014, Broadway powerhouse Idina Menzel. The "Rent" star included the track on her 2014 album, Holiday Wishes, and it reflects what so many of us are wondering on New Year's Eve: "Whose arms will hold you good and tight/When it's exactly 12 o'clock that night?" — R.F.

The Glitch Mob, "We Can Make The World Stop"

Bumping this massive 2011 dancefloor burner from electronic production wizards the Glitch Mob at full volume in a house filled with people is sure to help you forget the inevitable passage of time for at least the first five and a half minutes of 2018. "Stand still/pause clocks/we can make the world stop." Bonus points if your house comes pre-equipped with smoke machines and lasers. — B.H.

For The Record: B.B. King's "Auld Lane Syne"

 

Tyler, The Creator

Tyler, The Creator

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What's Your Favorite Holiday Song? poll-eartha-kitt-santa-baby-tyler-creator-grinch-whats-your-favorite-holiday-song

Poll: From Eartha Kitt's "Santa Baby" To Tyler, The Creator's "I Am The Grinch," What's Your Favorite Holiday Song?

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Let us know what your favorite holiday song is in our latest GRAMMY.com poll!
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Dec 18, 2020 - 5:49 pm

'Tis the season to listen to Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You" on repeat! Whether you're one of the people who turned up the jingle bell jams to find some joy back in November or you've just started to dust off your playlist of jolly gems, we want to know what your favorite holiday song is.

Let us know what your fave festive bop of all time is in our poll below. You'll see new songs from artists like Todrick Hall, Andrew Bird, Dolly Parton with Miley Cyrus, and classics from José Feliciano, Chuck Berry, Eartha Kitt and more.

And make sure to check out our 2020 holiday songs roundup here to hear some of the latest ones.

Polls

What Is Your Favorite Holiday Song?

21 New Holiday Songs From Todrick Hall, Tinashe, Mariah Carey & More To Spark Joy As 2020 (Finally) Comes To A Close

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Shania Twain

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The Top 100 Best-Selling Albums Of All-Time top-100-best-selling-albums-of-all-time-eagles-michael-jackson-shania-twain-more

The Top 100 Best-Selling Albums Ever: Eagles, Michael Jackson, Shania Twain & More

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Heading into the new year, the RIAA has updated its list of the albums that moved the most units—where does your favorite artist rank?
Nate Hertweck
GRAMMYs
Dec 27, 2018 - 12:24 pm

As the sun sets on 2018 and the music industry looks forward to the year ahead, the Recording Industry Association Of America has updated its list of gold and platinum album sales, providing a look in the rear view mirror.

The battle for the top spot continues, as the Eagles and Michael Jackson both jockey for No. 1. The Eagles dethroned the King of Pop this past summer—in terms of album sales, that is— when the RIAA certified Their Greatest Hits as 38x platinum, edging out M.J.’s Thriller at 33x platinum. The latest top five includes another Eagles album, Hotel California, at 26x platinum, as well as Billy Joel’s Greatest Hits Volume I and Volume II and Led Zeppelin’s Led Zeppelin IV with 23x platinum sales each.

Fleetwood Mac’s 1977 classic, Rumours, rounds out the top 10, followed closely by Shania Twain’s Come On Over, making Twain’s 1997 hit the highest ranking album by a female solo artist. Both albums sold over 20 million copies.

The folks at Digital Music News took the list a step further, compiling the top-selling artists of all-time, according to RIAA’s certified gold and platinum sales data. The Beatles top that list with 178 million certified units, followed by Garth Brooks, Elvis Presley, the Eagles, and Led Zeppelin rounding out the top 5. Women in the top 20 include Barbra Streisand (No. 12), Madonna (No. 16), Mariah Carey (No. 17), and Whitney Houston (No. 19).

Looking ahead, the RIAA has a big change of its own coming in 2019. Longtime chairman and CEO Cary Sherman is retiring after over 20 years with the organization, leaving behind an admirable legacy as a true music champion as an advocate for empowering music to thrive in the digital marketplace. With all the industry’s changes, one wonders who will top this list in another 20 years.

Warner Music Group’s 2018 Revenue Exceeds Company History

Eartha Kitt, Santa Clause

Eartha Kitt & Santa Claus

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Poll: What's Your Favorite Holiday Song? poll-whats-your-favorite-holiday-song

Poll: What's Your Favorite Holiday Song?

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Holiday favorites contend, with appeal from metal through rap to some obvious choices — each one sparkles in its own way
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Dec 24, 2018 - 8:04 am

As 2018 draws to a close and holiday spirits bring merriment, we invite you to weigh in on a selection of popular holiday songs: Which one do you like best?

Note: The determination of this year's eight selections included a rule not to include tracks from 2017's left-of-center holiday faves. (One exceptional song and another exceptional artist snuck in, anyway.)

While there were plenty of chestnuts we wanted to add, we ultimately chose a mix of classic and genre-diverse tunes that can appeal to every age and background. We hope you enjoy them all!

Polls

What's Your Favorite Holiday Song?

"All I Want For Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey

"Christmas In Harlem" by Kanye West featuring Cyhi Da Prynce & Teyana Taylor

"I Won't Be Home For Christmas" by Blink-182

"Last Christmas" by Wham!

"Oh Come All Ye Faithful" by Twisted Sister

"Oi To The World" by No Doubt

"Run Rudolph Run" by Chuck Berry

"Santa Baby" by Eartha Kitt

Cyndi Lauper, Snoop Dogg, The Vandals: 11 Left-Of-Center Christmas Songs

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Some of the content on this site expresses viewpoints and opinions that are not those of the Recording Academy. Responsibility for the accuracy of information provided in stories not written by or specifically prepared for the Academy lies with the story's original source or writer. Content on this site does not reflect an endorsement or recommendation of any artist or music by the Recording Academy.