New Year's Songs

It's that time again, and before you hurl yourself into the night's partying — or while you're nursing a hangover — you might want to try this essential companion to New Year's contemplation. From ABBA's Swedish stylings to Jamie Cullum's smooth piano-pop and John Lennon's ultimate future-hope anthem "Imagine", we have all the sounds a turning year needs . . . . . . and you'll find more excuses for an extra glass of bubbly, in Next Steps.

When the clock strikes 12:00, you might want to kick back a little and reflect on the year just ended, with the effortlessly laid-back J.J. Cale ("After Midnight"), who sounds like he begins every New Year without a care in the world; or David Gray, who adds a touch of melancholy with "This Year's Love". Donovan tiptoes towards worlds of fresh possibility with "New Year's Resolution". Go on, kiss another complete stranger. Then head for our New Year's Deep Cuts.

By now, we expect you've probably already broken at least one New Year's resolution. Well, don't worry — the Therapy Sisters will be your finger-clickin' co-dependents with "New Year's Resolution". Barenaked Ladies are on hand to deliver the most famous sing-along tune of all them all ("Auld Lang Syne"), then you might like to greet the New Year in rockin', bluesy style with Lightnin' Hopkins.

However you choose to greet January 1, you'll want plenty of tunes to see the year out, and we have exactly what you need right here — our New Year's Songs Essentials playlist features multiple stylings of "Auld Lang Syne" and "Happy New Year", a "welcome one, welcome all" approach to musical genres, a couple shots of ABBA, a dash of Frank Sinatra, a pinch of Barry Manilow . . . in other words, more than enough excuses to offer complete strangers a dance, a kiss, and a bear-like New Year's embrace. Happy New Year!