There could not be a more appropriate song than this classic whose title translates from French as “Happy New Year”. Legendary Congolese-born, Angolan vocalist Sam Mangwana recorded this classic in 1983 accompanied by rhythm guitarist Lokassa Ya Mbongo and the African All Stars.
A typical rumba arrangement with sweet guitar melodies and a catchy chorus that is guaranteed to keep everyone, old and young, signing along.
James Brown
I Feel Good
The Godfather of Soul lets out a loud scream right at the beginning of this gem from 1965 (he had recorded a different arrangement a year earlier) to leave you in no doubt about excitement.
He is ecstatic about feeling “nice, like sugar and spice” punctuated with his trademark screams and shouts to lift up your new year spirits.
Kool & the Gang
Celebration
This all-time party anthem has been the soundtrack to celebratory occasions, from weddings to birthdays to New Year’s Eve parties, since it was released in 1980.
Ronald Bell, the band’s saxophonist and arranger (now deceased) told the Songwriter Universe magazine in 2016 that the inspiration for writing the now famous hook came while reading the Quran: “I was reading the passage where God called the angels together to say he was going to create the first human. And the angels said ‘we don’t know nothing, but we just celebrate you, God’.”
Donna Summer
Hot Stuff
Nothing like a sizzling dance track from the Queen of Disco to set the New Year’s party alight. The rock guitar adds an edge to the disco sound of this 1979 record and that energetic chorus is enough to drag everyone to the dance floor.
Play this song at maximum volume and you will have the entire party singing out loud enough to consign the worries of the year gone by to the past and start 2025 with optimism.
Shalamar
A Night to Remember
Another infectious hook in this R&B classic from 1982 which works like magic at every party. This irresistible rhythm and the overall mood of the song is in sync with the celebratory mood of the New Year. Add the track to your playlist because it will work like a charm on the dancefloor.
Mory Kante
Yeke Yeke
A reviewer described Yeke Yeke as “a festive chant... with stirring vocals wrapped in unbridled, energetic production” Released in 1987, the song became a signature dance anthem globally and is still instantly recognizable.
It was adapted from a traditional Mandinka song and was the ever African single to sell over one million copies. Kante explained that Yeke Yeke is the sound that young women make when they dance to show their interest during courtship in the villages of Guinea.
Bob Marley & the Wailers
Iron Lion Zion
This song opens with such an energetic kick as to have all the guests at your party rushing headlong, to the dancefloor or as is common these days, rise to their feet right by their tables.
Bob Marley’s vocals are exultant, and the rhythm is dance-friendly even while conveying a message so spiritual. The horns by saxophonist Courtney Pine just add to the alluring attraction of the track. Perfect!
Pharrell Williams
Happy
“Because I’m happy, clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth.” It is hard to look past this song when compiling your playlist for any, well, happy occasion.
Since its release in 2013, this mid-tempo song with a neo soul groove reminiscent of the 60s Motown era, has become a contemporary classic.
It gained even more relevance in 2024 when it was featured on the soundtrack to the soundtrack Piece by Piece, the animated biopic of Pharrell.
Avicii
Wake Me Up
The Swedish DJ-producer created this absolute banger with the vocals of American soul singer Aloe Blacc who also wrote the lyrics to Avicii’s chord progression.
It blends electronic dance music with soul and country-style guitar elements. This year marked the 11th anniversary of the song ,with a reimagined version by country artist Cooper Alan and Aloe Blacc in November and a dance cover by Danish singer MO in December 2024 .
Abba
Happy New Year
Fun Fact: The working title was Daddy Don’t Get Drunk on Christmas Day. The album version is a slow ballad but this is perhaps the best-loved song for New Year.
However, if you are looking to keep the party going and not to send everyone home early, then try out the remix, which adds a contemporary dance rhythm while retaining the original vocals.
