Rockin’ New Year’s Eve parties are the perfect place for invitees to let loose on the dance floor, even if it’s just in your living room! No matter where you throw the ultimate celebration to ring in the start of a brand new year, it’s important to strive for an upbeat vibe.
Music is one of the most essential keys to creating a festive, fun atmosphere. It can get guests dancing, mingling, and enjoying the excitement of the holiday.
From the moment they arrive until the time they head home, guests will appreciate hearing the classic songs of the season, as well as party favorites and current hits.
A long playlist with the right songs ensures that your celebration hits all the right notes!
Planning Your Playlist of New Years Eve Songs
New Years Eve parties offer the perfect blend of past, present, and future. Everyone will be reminiscing about the past year and looking forward to the future with a hopeful, optimistic attitude. Guests appreciate hearing a musical mix that reflects both of those things.

Since the party is several hours long, music will sometimes be in the background, while at other moments it will be central to the celebration. Guests will sing along, dance, and get in the mood for an evening of fun. Keep in mind when planning the New Years playlist that songs should include a variety of upbeat dance tunes, as well as some slower tempo tunes.
Here are a few important factors to consider when planning that perfect playlist:
Time Constraints?
With so many different details to take care of, party planning takes a great deal of time and energy. Do you have enough time to plan and organize which songs you want to have played during the celebration?
Playing the role of party DJ and picking the perfect blend of new years music selections can be much more time consuming than it may seem. Not only do you have to choose the songs, but then you have to arrange them in the order you want so that they play at the perfect time throughout the evening. Using our handy list of popular songs broken down by categories is a great way to ensure that you include the hits that your guests will enjoy.
Who Are Your Guests?
Speaking of guests, do keep your guest list in mind and consider the ages of everyone invited when choosing tunes. Older guests will definitely appreciate hearing classic new years eve songs that they’ve enjoyed over the years. Younger guests will want to hear more of the latest hits and popular songs that play on the radio.
Find the right mix of old and new to best suit the demographics of your guest list. Also, keep in mind that you may need to find radio edits for age-appropriate songs if you’re hosting a crowd that includes younger revelers.
What’s The Party Theme?
If you’ve chosen a specific theme for your New Years party, you can play it up with your song selections. Themes can help guide the décor, menu, and the music. Think about those songs that tie in and fit with the party theme so that you can include them on your playlist. They can relate to the song title, the lyrics, or even just the overall style and genre type. Keep an open mind and get creative when coming up with a playlist that matches the party theme.
Classic NYE Songs
There are some songs that are synonymous with New Years Eve, and not just because they have it in their title. They’re the songs that you hear year after year, celebrating a fresh start while reflecting on the months that have gone by.
Guests will enjoy the comfort that these classic tunes provide. You can play them throughout the evening or schedule them to play after the ball drops.
Watch or Share the Classic NYE Music Playlist
These are a few of the classic New Years Eve songs are a must to include on your party playlist:
- “Auld Lang Syne” by Mariah Carey or Kenny G.
- “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve” by Ella Fitzgerald
- “Happy New Year” by Abba
- “New Year’s Day” by U2
- “Let’s Start the New Year Right” by Bing Crosby
- “It’s Just Another New Year’s Eve” by Barry Manilow
- “Happy New Year” by Judy Garland
Up Tempo & Fun Songs for the Dance Floor
You don’t need to be hosting a dance party to know that high energy, highly danceable songs are what guests want at a New Year’s celebration!
As the evening goes on, guests become more and more excited for the midnight hour. Help keep their toes tapping and their spirits high with a lineup of up tempo tunes.
Create a mix of musical selections that are both current and fresh, as well as classic songs from the past that remain party favorites.
Watch or Share the Upbeat NYE Music Playlist
Heat up the dance floor with these fun, upbeat new years party songs that will have your guests on their feet and grooving to the beat:
- “Celebration” by Kool & the Gang
- “What Lovers Do” by Maroon 5 feat. SZA
- “One Dance” by Drake
- “24K Magic” by Bruno Mars
- “Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough” by Michael Jackson
- “It’s the End of the World (I Feel Fine)” by R.E.M.
- “Shout” by the Isley Brothers
- “I Love It” by Icona Pop ft. Charli XCX
- “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars
- “1999” by Prince
- “Twist and Shout” by The Beatles
- “Happy” by Pharrell Williams
- “I Gotta Feeling” by Black Eyed Peas
- “Footloose” by Kenny Loggins
- “The Twist” by Chubby Checker
- “Party Rock Anthem” by LMFAO
- “Raise Your Glass” by P!nk
- “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift
Inspirational & Motivational New Years Eve Songs
When choosing music for your New Years celebration, keep in mind that it’s ultimately a hopeful holiday. Revelers are not only enjoying living in the moment, but they’re also looking back at the past year and looking forward to the year ahead.
Guests are thinking about their plans for the months ahead, and likely hoping to have their best year yet. That’s why it’s important to include inspirational songs that will keep the overall vibe of the soiree encouraging and uplifting.
These songs project a positive vibe that gets guests excited for the future.
Watch or Share the Inspirational New Years Songs Playlist
Here are some stirring, motivational tunes to consider adding to your mix:
- “In the New Year” by The Walkmen
- “Turn! Turn! Turn!!” by The Byrds
- “Just Like Starting Over” by John Lennon
- “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong
- “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor
- “Firework” by Katy Perry
- “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack
- “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield
- “Time of my Life” by David Cook
- “I’m Still Standing” by Elton John
- “Feeling Good” by Michael Bublé
- “Unstoppable” by Sia
More Great Songs to Consider
A great New Year’s playlist isn’t limited to just one genre or one type of song style. It includes a blend of upbeat and uplifting tunes, as well as those that help you slow down for a few moments and reminisce about the past. No matter what type of celebration you’re hosting, a mix of musical styles is a great way to carry the fun throughout the evening.
Watch or Share More Great New Years Songs Playlist
Consider adding all or some of these New Year’s party songs to your playlist to make it more robust:
- “New Year’s Eve” by MØ feat. Vera Loves Vasco
- “In My Life” by The Beatles
- “Funky New Year” by The Eagles
- “Holiday” by Madonna
- “New York, New York” by Frank Sinatra
- “Lean on Me” by Bill Withers
- “My Dear Acquaintance (A Happy New Year)” by Regina Spektor
- “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey
- “The New Year” by Death Cab for Cutie
- “Don’t Worry Be Happy” by Bobby McFerrin
- “Congratulations (A Happy New Year Song)” by Pink Martini
- “This Is the New Year” by A Great Big World
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Sound the Party Horns!
Planning out your playlist of New Years Eve songs allows you to be a host and a DJ for the night, and what a special night it is!Help set the tone for the celebration and ring in the New Year with upbeat and optimistic music that will lift your guest’s spirits all night long.
Choose a playlist that guests can groove to while they’re dancing, socializing, and looking forward to the future.
By picking a mix of classic, motivational, and upbeat and exciting songs, you’ll ensure that your guests dance the evening away as they ring in the year ahead. 🤗
pin these 45+ New Years Eve Songs for later!
