There is no bigger question in New Year’s Eve party planning than what song you’re gonna play the moment that ball drops, the 2009 flashes on the TV screen, and Dick Clark kisses his wife. Choices, choices, choices. You could go "Auld Lang Syne," if you’re boring traditional. The Beach Boys do a nice a capella version (check it out below), and there’s something to be said for smooching a loved one at midnight while that wistful tune plays. Another obvious choice is Kool & the Gang’s "Celebration," but unless your party’s over-60 quotient exceeds 50 percent, you should probably hold that tune until later in the evening, once everyone is good and sloshed.
I like ringing in the new year with less obvious selections, like Outkast/Andre 3000′’s "Hey Ya" or the Beastie Boys’ "Jimmy James" (clip after the jump). The latter can seem jarring for the first couple seconds, but once it gets going, it firmly shuts the door on the squeaky-clean New Year’s Rockin’ Eve festivities and takes the party into a smiley, booze-swillin’ future. I’ve also had good results with Herbie Hancock’s "Rockit" (embedded after the jump), though that one does sort feel like you need a pack of pop-locking dudes in Puma sweats to jump out of something. And you can’t go wrong with a good Prince song ("Kiss," "Let’s Go Crazy," even "Sign O’ the Times") — just avoid "1999," which instantly became passe after every party on earth played it on New Year’s Eve 10 years ago.
Your turn, PopWatchers. What midnight song do you wanna hear at this year’s New Years’ Eve party? And what songs will have you packing for an abrupt 12:05 departure?
Herbie Hancock: "Rockit"
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I was always partial to ABBA’s “Happy New Year” although it sounded dated after 1980 (yikes).
I guess as long as it makes me want to dance up a storm I don’t really care…
Same ol Story – Cyndi Lauper – perfect!
“New Year’s Day” by U2.
“Same Old Lang Syne” by Dan Fogelberg. My folks would play it at midnight of every New Year when I was a kid. They probably still do.
someone else beat me to the ABBA punch… oh well
Kiss by Prince or Life Wasted by Pearl Jam.
“The New Year” by Death Cab For Cutie. “So this is the new year… and I don’t feel any different.” Love it!
Actually, this is my first New Year’s in my new home in Chicago, with CST, so I’m kinda confused as to how to celebrate the exact moment ’cause I’m used to watching the ball drop. Oh well!
“Next Year, Baby” by Jamie Cullum
Lady GaGa’s “Just Dance” — it’s got that booming sound to ring in the new year (and it deals with, well, getting toasted and having fun).
Yippee537: Conan has always done his “Happy New Year, Central Time Zone” celebration, since Andy grew up in Illinois and everyone forgets about us. Now you can join in with us being like, “Whoopee, it’s 11″ when the ball drops!
At the stoke of midnight, I want to hear the sound of my husband snoring.
I know I’m ripping off How I Met Your Mother but you can’t go wrong with Bon Jovi – You Give Love A Bad Name.
11:56 p.m – The Final Countdown – Europe.
Midnight – The Way Old Friends Do – ABBA.
12:04 a.m – Let’s Go Crazy – Prince.
11:56- Final Count Down- Europe
12:00 Ding Dong- George Harrison
12:04: Rock, Rock, Till You Drop- Def Leppard
I disagree. “1999″ is still an awesome New Year’s song. I hear those first few notes, and I’m always picturing confetti, champagne, and sparkly balls. I mean, it’s not like you’re playing Robbie Williams’s “Millennium” or Will Smith’s “Will 2K.” Now THAT would be lame.
I am a professional singer in London and will be working in the city this evening.The same old songs will be sung along with some of the newer lyrics but all in all the general concensus is if the custermers know the words it makes for a better new years eve party.Happy New Year to eveyone.
How about closing out the year with the Jam of the Year? MIA’s “Paper Planes” of course!
I’ll be playing the Alive 2007 version of “One More Time” by Daft Punk…it has the bells from the beginning of “Aerodynamic” and then the synths from One More Time kicks in. With the screaming crowd noise in the background, it’s perfect for midnight.
Yippee537, excellent choice with DCFC’s “The New Year”. Keep in mind that we here in Chicago have been able to celebrate New Years’ at midnight CST perfectly well.
My other choice would be the greatest song I ever heard live at midnight, on Dec 31st, 2000:
The Flaming Lips “Race for the Prize”
I’ll have to check out the DCFC song. The past couple of years, I’ve been at some great parties who have played Black Eyed Peas’ “Let’s Get it Started” at midnight and everyone’s been pretty pumped up. “Let’s Go Crazy” is another great one. Disco pushes me out the door though….
I agree with the “any Prince song” statements. I also really dig Lady GaGa’s “Just Dance”. I mean, the songs is about getting wasted and the title sums it all up:) Perfect for a crazy NYE bash!
And now I present, in all it’s geeky glory, my pick to play at approximately 12:04- “Bye Bye Bye” by *NSYNC. You know you love it…
All of these tunes would work but in my humble opinion jimi hendrix’s version of “the star spangled banner” off of his woodstock album as loud as your speakers can handle is my pick for midnight.
daft punk-one more time!!!
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letters home by Defiance ohio, New year by Death cab of Jet Black newyear by Thursday.
Everyone already took mine, “The New Year” by DCfC is always a NYE staple, and “One More Time” by Daft Punk is too… can’t really think of others.
Skillz – Rap Up 2008, of course
I was playing ‘That’s What You Get’ by Paramore on Rock Band when it struck midnight. I didn’t even notice.
For some reason I kept on listening to Smells Like Teen Spirit. *shrug*
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