Foo Fighters – “Next Year”

I’m not sure if this song is as much about the new year as it is about space exploration, but it features optimistic lyrics and is one of the better singles in the Foo Fighters‘ arsenal.

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Jeff Buckley – “New Year’s Prayer”

A haunting tune recorded not long before Jeff Buckley’s tragic death in 1997 at the age of 30.

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Snoop Dogg feat. Marty James – “New Year’s Eve”

This song would be way better if it didn’t feature Marty James. But it’s Snoop, so it makes the list.

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Peggy Lee – “My Dear Acquaintance (A Happy New Year)

While Regina Spektor’s cover is perhaps more widely known, this laid-back New Year’s song was originally performed by jazz singer Peggy Lee.

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U2 – “New Year’s Day”

Though sometimes it’s hard to recall, there was a time decades ago when U2 cranked out a handful of truly great albums. This New Year’s anthem, from the band’s 1983 album War, is one of their classic songs.

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Honorable Mentions:

Death Cab for Cutie – “The New Year”
Tori Amos – “Our New Year”
Prince – “1999” (remember when MTV2 played this music video nonstop for 24 hours on January 1, 1999?)