What Are the Best New Year's Songs to Celebrate 2024?

New Year’s Eve is filled with joy, excitement, and of course – music! As the clock counts down to midnight, popular New Year’s songs fill the air as people celebrate the end of one year and the start of another. But what songs best capture the spirit of the holiday and get everyone hyped up to party? Here’s a look at some of the top New Year’s anthems along with a playlist of songs to ring in 2024.

What Makes a New Year’s Songs?

Upbeat, Celebratory Mood

The best New Year’s tracks have an uplifting, energetic mood about new beginnings, fresh starts, and looking forward to the future. They get people excited about what possibilities lie ahead in the coming year. Uptempo melodies, soulful vocals, and anthemic choruses are common.

References to Countdowns and Midnight

Lyrical references to countdowns building up to the stroke of midnight, the New Year holiday, and phrases like “out with old, in with the new” help reinforce New Year’s themes. Party and celebration imagery also sum up the festive atmosphere.

Versatility for Singalongs and Dancing

Great New Year’s songs have an infectious, singalong-friendly hook that gets lodged in your head. But they also have a danceable beat drop to fuel parties all night long. The most iconic tracks allow for belting out off-key choruses and impromptu dance breaks.

Top 10 New Year’s Hits Through the Years

Here is a look at some of the most memorable New Year’s songs that still ignite dance floors year after year when the clock strikes 12.

1. Auld Lang Syne (Traditional Scottish Tune)

No New Year’s Eve is complete without a heartfelt rendition of this traditional Scottish tune. While the lyrics are old, the sentiment of reminiscing fondly on the year gone by resonates today.

2. New York, New York – Frank Sinatra

Ol’ Blue Eyes captures the sheer excitement of being in the Big Apple on New Year’s “in old New York!” Upbeat horns swell with pride for the city that truly never sleeps.

3. 1999 – Prince

The song and music video set the tone for one massive, unforgettable millennial New Year’s Eve party. The lyrics reference partying through doomsday as “we could all die any day.”

4. Let’s Start the New Year Right – Bing Crosby

This old big band standard from 1943 highlights leaving heartache behind and hopes for happiness in the days ahead. Smooth harmonies and crooning make it a timeless classic.

5. It Was a Very Good Year – Frank Sinatra

A reflective ballad in which Ol’ Blue Eyes contemplates years gone by, this song bids the old year a fond adieu in bittersweet fashion.

Year	Song	Artist
Traditional	Auld Lang Syne	N/A
1943	Let’s Start the New Year Right	Bing Crosby
1949	New York, New York	Frank Sinatra
1999	1999	Prince

6. It’s the End of The World As We Know It – R.E.M.

While the tempo is upbeat, the lyrics paint an apocalyptic picture of the world ending as the year changes over. It contrasts nicely with brighter songs to follow.

7. In With The New – Def Leppard

Glam metal rockers Def Leppard take a positive outlook as they enthusiastically declare it’s time for new beginnings and to celebrate leaving the past behind.

8. Brand New Day – Sting

Sting echoes the fresh start mentality in this bouncy, reggae-tinged track. His warm vocals celebrate making dreams come true in the year ahead.

9. We Are Family – Sister Sledge

This feel-good disco smash brings everyone together in one happy, singing bunch. It reminds us that we’re all one big family welcoming the new year together.

10. Happy New Year Baby – Bootsy Collins

Funk legend Bootsy Collins knows how to party. This grooving workout wishes listeners a happy new year indeed over fun, party-ready rhythms.

What Are the Most Popular New Year’s Songs in 2024?

As the new year approaches, several contemporary songs continue climbing the charts as new favorites to sing and dance along with on December 31st.

Song	Artist	Year
New Year’s Day	Taylor Swift	2024
Middle of the Night	Elley Duhè	2024
Come And Go With Me To That Land	NEIL FRANCES	2024
Do What I Want	Lil Uzi Vert	2024
Just Wanna Rock	Lil Uzi Vert	2024

New Year’s Day – Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift recently released this melancholy piano ballad as part of her new Midnights album. It contemplates being emotionally low at the year’s end but hopes next year brings better days.

Middle of the Night – Elley Duhè

Upbeat pop song with lyrics about reminiscing on the past year and hopeful for celebrations ahead. Makes references to landing confetti and champagne popping.

Come And Go With Me To That Land – Neil Frances

Smooth, soulful track with a funky bassline from this Australian indie pop group. Upbeat lyrics look ahead to future good times in the new year.

Do What I Want – Lil Uzi Vert

Hype hip hop party anthem focused on ignoring haters and living life to the fullest as the clock counts down. High energy and heavy bass boosts.

Just Wanna Rock – Lil Uzi Vert

Similar vibe to “Do What I Want” with a driving, rock-influenced hip hop production. Uzi’s rapidfire flow is perfect for late night partying all night long.

What are some unique song recommendations for New Year’s 2024?

If you want some fresh, alternative picks that avoid cliches for New Year’s 2023, add these unique choices to your playlist:

Blockbuster Night Pt. 1 – Run the Jewels

This aggressive hip hop headbanger by Killer Mike and El-P brings some hardcore swagger to blow off steam before the new year.

###groove is in the heart — Deee-Lite

Celebrate peace, love, and good times with this 90s dance floor jam full of funky bass and singalong vocals.

###1999 Wildfire — BROCKHAMPTON

This 2018 track pays tribute to 90s nostalgia through the lens of the next generation. Great for millennial parties.

###Shake It Off — Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift’s ever-popular self-empowerment anthem reminds us to leave negativity behind as we enter the new year.

###All I Want For Christmas Is You — Mariah Carey

It’s not just a Christmas song! Mimi’s festive holiday hit works perfectly for New Year’s Eve countdowns too.

What Are the Best Dance Hits for New Year’s 2024 Playlists?

You can’t have a New Year’s Eve bash without nonstop dancing into the early hours of the morning! Here are top suggestions of party anthems to build playlists guaranteed to get everyone moving as 2024 arrives.

Lose My Mind — Diplo & Sidepiece

High energy EDM smash with thumping bass drops and lusty lyrics destined to ignite dance floors.

WAP – Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion

Raunchy hip hop hit splicing Cardi B’s and Megan’s rapidfire, explicit verses over a heavy, dirty rhythm.

Level Up — Ciara

Ciara teaches us how to keep leveling up in life to a vibrant, tropical beat you can’t help winding hips to.

Blinding Lights — The Weeknd

The Weeknd’s catchy 80s-inspired retro pop megahit with a matrix-esque music video keeps the good times rolling.

Treat Me – Chlöe

Beyonce’s former protégé Chlöe seduces with sultry vocals and beats prompting all-night two-stepping.

What are the best New Year’s Eve party songs in Spanish?

Spanish speakers know how to ring in the new year with fiestas lasting well past midnight! Try adding these Latin pop hits to your Nochevieja party playlists:

Despacito – Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee

The wildly popular reggaeton crossover hit that swept the globe is perfect for celebratory counting down to medianoche.

Vivir Mi Vida – Marc Anthony

Bachata rhythms from the Latin crooner Marc Anthony urge living life to the fullest in the new year ahead.

Danza Kuduro – Don Omar

High energy Latin dance song with a pulsing Afro-Carribbean beat to fuel the party all night.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most popular song used in New Year’s Eve countdowns?

The most popular New Year’s Eve song remains “Auld Lang Syne,” a traditional Scottish tune often sung as the clock strikes midnight. Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York” and Abba’s “Happy New Year” are also staple countdown songs frequently played.

What rock song is commonly played on New Year’s Eve?

Def Leppard’s glam metal “In With the New” is a rocking New Year’s anthem regularly heard blasting amid midnight toasts and celebration. U2’s uplifting ballad “New Year’s Day” also rings through rock playlists.

What is a good upbeat song for New Year’s Eve?

Some upbeat tempo hits to dance along with this New Year’s Eve include “Lose My Mind” by Diplo & Sidepiece, “Level Up” by Ciara, and the classic disco jam “We Are Family” by Sister Sledge.

What are the saddest New Year’s songs?

While most New Year’s music rallies celebration, Adele’s mournful piano ballad “Hello” reflects feeling lonely when the year changes over. Rob Thomas’ “A New Year’s Day” also carries bittersweet, melancholic tones looking back.

What song is played at midnight on New Year’s Eve in Spain?

The most popular New Year’s Eve songs played as Spanish revelers countdown to midnight and ring in Año Nuevo include the festive hits “Báilame” by Nacho, “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee, and “Vivir Mi Vida” by Marc Anthony.

Conclusion

New Year’s Eve has evolved its own beloved canon of songs that capture the excitement and possibilities of each year’s turning. Traditional staples like “Auld Lang Syne” mix wonderfully with contemporary party anthems as people sing, dance, and get nostalgic.

The best New Year’s music brings everyone together during countdowns as we fondly remember past years and optimistically hope for better new ones. Reggaeton hits get Spanish speakers on their feet at Nochevieja parties too!

Whatever your musical tastes, create playlists that make joyful new memories ringing in each new year. The heavenly tones of Alicia Keys or thumping club beats of Lil Uzi Vert both countdown clock striking 12. New year, new songs, keep the tradition going strong!