The best way to get the party started when you're T-minus 12 hours to midnight is by blasting some New Year's songs. From folk classics to speaker-thumping anthems, these are our must-adds to any New Year's party playlist.
Festive New Year's Songs to Keep the Party Going All Night Long
There are many songs geared specifically towards New Year's Day. These songs are suitable to play at a celebration to get your guests in a festive mood.
The Parting Glass
This anthem is typically played after Auld Lang Syne, officially ringing in the calendar change. It is among the most popular choices in Ireland and Scotland, as well as areas around the world with significant Irish or Scottish populations.
New Year's Day by U2
Fans of Bono and U2 typically include this popular song among their all-time favorites. Guests who love Brit-pop will be cheering for more.
The Millennium Prayer by Cliff Richard
A big hit among the English, this is the Lord's Prayer set to Auld Lang Syne. It is suited for a party where the majority of those attending are Christian.
Related: 12 Easy-Going Ways to Celebrate New Year's Eve at Home
Popular Songs With New Year Themes
Many songs aren't specifically about New Year's Day, but they carry themes that are very appropriate for putting an end to things and starting fresh.
It's the End of the World (I Feel Fine) by R.E.M.
Perhaps one of the best-known R.E.M. tracks out there, It's the End of the World erupts with a catchy melody and lyrics that everyone will know within an instant.
1999 by Prince
Even though 1999 has come and gone, this is still one of the best songs of all time. Go ahead, party like it's 1999!
Home for a Rest by Spirit of the West
The band's most popular single of all time, Home for a Rest is a breath of fresh Canadian air. New Year's parties usually involve a lot of drinking, so why not include a song about a little drinky-drinky.
Happy New Year by ABBA
Happy New Year is from ABBA's 1980's album Super Trouper. It's not an upbeat song but sends a great message of hope for a better world.
New Year's Day by Taylor Swift
New Year's Day is an acoustic ballad from Taylor's Reputation album. It talks about those fleeting moments of happiness that come when the old year fades away.
Next Year by Macklemore ft. Windser
If you're into rap music, this is a great song with a good message of believing next year is going to be better than last year and looking back with no regrets.
Fun New Year's Eve Party Songs
Your DJ skills will go down in New Year's history if you queue up these dancetastic tracks at your next New Year's Eve bash.
Celebration by Kool and the Gang
"Celebrate good times... come on!" Kool and the Gang's song inevitably leads to everyone getting on their feet, and jumping up and down with joy. It doesn't get much more upbeat than this!
Let's Get It Started by Black Eyed Peas
A more contemporary offering, you and the Black Eyed Peas can "rock the casbah" with this upbeat ditty.
Get the Party Started by Pink
This classic 2000s hit is catchy and has a beat that will make everyone want to dance.
Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO
Who won't have fun dancing to this upbeat tune all night long? The catchy lyrics will have guests moving their feet and jumping around.
Firework by Katy Perry
Find your own inner firework by empowering yourself and embracing who you are when you step into the new year.
Viva La Vida by Coldplay
You might not feel like dancing to many of Coldplay's songs but Viva La Vida is an exception.
A Sky Full of Stars by Coldplay
Much like Viva La Vida, Sky Full of Stars is one of Coldplay's songs you'll want to dance the night away to.
Bad Habits by Ed Sheeran
Bad Habits is a great upbeat dance-pop single where Sheeran reflects on past habits of constant drinking and late-night partying. Consider putting your own partying ways behind you and sending them off to Ed Sheeran's song.
Don't Start Now by Dua Lipa
Dua Lipa can make anyone get up on their feet, and she does it best in her song Don't Start Now.
I Don't Care by Ed Sheeran & Justin Bieber
I Don't Care is an upbeat song with an honest message about feeling uncomfortable around people but feeling able to stay because they're with the right person — the person they love.
Time of Our Lives by Pitbull
Much like most of Pitbull's songs, Time of Our Lives is a super upbeat song you and your friends are going to want to dance to. It's about having a good time even when times are tough.
On the Floor by Jennifer Lopez
If On the Floor won't make people feel like dancing the night away, no other song will. The song is about change and not being afraid to move and dance.
Best Day of My Life by American Authors
Best Day of My Life is a great upbeat song full of optimism. As the song suggests, this New Year's Eve is going to be "the best day" of my life!
Shut Up and Dance by Walk The Moon
Shut Up and Dance is a catchy and invigorating song by American pop-rock band Walk the Moon for their third studio album Talking Is Hard.
Related: 11 Celebratory New Year's Eve Cocktail Recipes for a Lucky Year
Kid-Friendly New Year's Songs
New Year's isn't only for adults! Kids can celebrate with these infectious songs, too.
Try Everything by Shakira
Try Everything is a pop song from the 2016 Disney animated film, Zootopia. It's sung by Colombian singer, Shakira.
Shake It Off by Reese Witherspoon & Nick Kroll
Shake it off is sung by Reese Witherspoon (as Rosita) and Nick Kroll (as Gunter), originally sung and written by Taylor Swift.
Life Is a Highway by Rascal Flats
From the kid's movie Cars,the famous country music group Rascal Flatts brings this song to life.
Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars
Uptown Funk is the first single off of Mark Ronson's fourth studio album, Uptown Special. The song topped the Billboard charts and has sold over 6,000,000 copies in the United States alone.
Happy by Pharrell Williams
Happy is a positive feel-good song that you can't help but dance to it. It's one of the most downloaded songs of all time. The song's about Gru, a grumpy and unhappy character in Despicable Me who fell in love and became more cheerful in the film's sequel.
Can't Stop the Feeling by Justin Timberlake
Can't Stop the Feeling is an upbeat dance-pop song by Justin Timberlake written as a soundtrack for the animated movie Trolls.
Hey Ya! by Outkast
Hey Ya! is a song performed by the American hip-hop duo Outkast that's gone down in 2000s history.
I Like to Move It by Will.I.Am
Will.I.Am performed his own cover of I Like to Move It for the motion picture soundtrack of the feature film Madagascar 2.
The Cupid Shuffle by Cupid
If you've ever hit the dance floor at a party, you know The Cupid Shuffle is on frequent rotation
Auld Lang Syne
Easily the best-known New Year's song of them all, Auld Lang Syne is typically played the moment the clock strikes 12. This song is actually a Scottish poem written by Robert Burns in 1788 and set to folk music. Its basic message is to remember long-standing friendships and the good old days of the past. This song is not only appropriate for New Year's but other occasions such as graduations and funerals as well.
Ring in the New Year With Gusto
There are a lot of things to cross off your list when you're hosting a New Year's Eve party. Put a wrap on your playlist plans and focus your attention elsewhere with our favorite classic & not-so-classic New Year's songs.
