New Year’s alternatives to ‘Auld Lang Syne’

Got plans for New Year’s Eve? A party, maybe? Dinner with friends? Falling asleep on the couch about 10:30 and missing everything?

If you have the stamina to stay up and ring in the New Year, chances are you’ll have music on the stereo — if you aren’t watching the terminally boring TV broadcasts of 1 million people crammed nose-to-nose in Times Square and having “the time of their lives” as the announcers insist.

If you are listening to music, you don’t have to stick with stalwarts such as “Auld Lang Syne” or, if you’re a rocker, Kiss’ “Rock and Roll All Nite.” Here are some songs that are all about partying and looking to the future or gazing back at the past, but wouldn’t instantly come to mind.

“Get Down and Get With It” by Slade. If this one doesn’t make you want to dance, check your pulse. You may not be with us anymore.

“Wild Night” by Van Morrison. Get ready, it’s calling.

“Have a Drink on Me” by AC/DC. Interesting song from a bunch of teetotalers. But the sentiment is there.

“Day After Day (The Show Must Go On)” or “Time” by the Alan Parsons Project. Both a little melancholy, but perfect when the alcohol really kicks in late at night.

“Dead Man’s Party” by Oingo Boingo. “Leave your body and soul at the door.” We’ve all been to parties like

that, right?

“Life Is a Highway” by Tom Cochrane. Drive it all night long.

“Same Old Lang Syne” by Dan Fogelberg. Yes, it’s set on Christmas Eve, but it’s an ode to looking back and those who may not have died, but have passed away from your life.

“Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osbourne. All aboard.

“New Year’s Eve” by Tom Waits. He always sounds like he’s lying in a big-city alley and this one sounds like he’s growling about what’s going on around him on a really bleak night.

“Funky New Year” by the Eagles. Most folks don’t even know this song exists, but it was the B-side of “Please Come Home for Christmas.” One of the Eagles’ patented, night-of-degradation-andthe-day-after songs.

“I Just Want to Celebrate” by Rare Earth. Self-explanatory.

And, of course, “It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)” by R.E.M. Whatcha gonna do when the world ends?

If 2017 was a good year for you, hope 2018 is more of the same. If it wasn’t, hope 2018 is a big improvement.

In either case, Happy New Year.