[New Year’s Songs] Timeless classics and popular New Year tunes you’ll want to listen to at the start of the year
For New Year’s, you want to listen to songs that fit the season, right?
You might think of traditional pieces like “Haru no Umi,” but isn’t it surprisingly hard to find J-pop that feels perfect for New Year’s?
In fact, while there are tons of Christmas songs, there are relatively few songs for the New Year.
In this article, we’ll introduce lots of tracks you’ll want to play as the year begins, focusing mainly on J-pop!
Be sure to read to the end and soak up the New Year’s spirit!
Of course, we’ve also picked out the classic New Year’s staples!
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[New Year’s Songs] Classic and Popular New Year Tunes to Enjoy (21–30)
Happy New YearBeibī Reizu JAPAN
Renamed from Babyraids and later disbanded in 2018, Babyraids JAPAN had this song, “Happy New Year.” New Year’s is the time when you declare, “This year I’m going to do ___!” right? This is a quintessential idol-style New Year’s song packed with dreams and hopes like “This year I want to do this, I want to do that.” Even if you’re not that into idols, this track is recommended as one that will make you feel happy and give you a positive boost.
Come, springhappiiendo
A very moody and dark New Year’s song, Happy End’s “Haru yo Koi.” This song, which commands spring to come, is the first track on their 1970 album “Happy End.” It opens with a scene that feels very New Year’s-like, but gradually reality sets in, painting a picture of a lonely, solitary New Year.
Still, you can sense a determination that says, “From here on, I’ll push through”—it’s a rare kind of New Year’s song that captures a season of endurance.
[New Year’s Songs] Masterpieces and Popular New Year Tracks to Hear in the New Year (31–40)
Rat♡Ox♡Tiger♡Rabbit♡Dragon♡Snake♡denpagumi.inc
Dempa-gumi.inc’s 18th single, “Rat♡Ox♡Tiger♡Rabbit♡Dragon♡Snake♡,” released in 2019.
It’s a high-energy, poppy love song that’s very Dempa-gumi.inc, and as the title suggests, it’s themed around the twelve zodiac signs—making it a must for New Year’s (lol).
When you fall in love, you want to know the other person’s birthday; then you find out their date of birth to check compatibility, worry about age differences—one way or another, no, about everything—you just can’t help being curious and wanting to know.
Lively winterBerryz Kōbō & Yaguchi Mari
As the title suggests, this is an extremely lively track that puts you in a joyful mood.
With lyrics sprinkled with New Year–related keywords like hatsumode (the first shrine visit of the year), omikuji (fortune slips), and mochi, it conjures up an image of a cheerful, bustling start to the new year with everyone having fun together.
Rock ‘n’ Roll New Year’s Gift MoneyOhtaki Eiichi
As the title suggests, this is a rare song themed around New Year’s gift money (otoshidama).
It’s a work by singer-songwriter Eiichi Ohtaki—also known as a member of Happy End, an iconic presence in the ’70s band scene—featured on his 1977 album Niagara Calendar.
The tune has that classic rock ’n’ roll spirit, which is great, isn’t it? The lyrics are full of words with a pleasing ring to them, making it delightful to listen to.
With this song, it feels like the year is sure to be a fun one.
I love New Year’s the most in the world.tendou nabiki
It’s a humor-filled song packed with New Year’s delights.
Released in January 1991 as a character song from the anime Ranma 1/2, it’s also included on the album “Ranma 1/2 Uta Goyomi (Heisei 3 Edition).” The lyrics brim with the joy of receiving New Year’s money, showcasing Nabiki Tendo’s fixation on cash—making it an irresistible track for fans.
Honestly, many people can probably relate to that feeling.
Is the bath nice?shiritsu ebisu chūgaku
A perfect song for those who go back to their family home every year for New Year’s, Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku’s “Ii Yu Kana.” For people who can only see their grandparents once in a while, or who live away from their parents, New Year’s is a time to finally see Dad and Mom again.
The lyrics are about running a bath for them during that New Year’s visit, and the content really tugs at the heartstrings.
You can picture the smiles of those who are happy to see how much you’ve grown since they last saw you.
Listen to this song and welcome the New Year with your family in a gentle, warm frame of mind!
