[2026] Western songs you'd like to sing at year-end and New Year's parties: the latest crowd-pleasers and timeless classics

Mystical MagicalBenson Boone

Benson Boone – Mystical Magical (Official Lyric Video)

Released in April 2025, this track is the second single from Benson Boone’s eagerly anticipated sophomore album, American Heart.

It’s a retro yet fresh pop-rock number that quotes the melody of Olivia Newton-John’s “Physical.” The song captures the feeling of being tossed around by a partner’s whims in love, wrapped in a dreamy atmosphere, with Boone’s distinctive falsetto and sprightly arrangement blending perfectly.

Its debut performance at Coachella in April 2025 featured a collaboration with Queen’s Brian May, which generated major buzz.

The catchy chorus is easy for anyone to sing along to—and if you perform it at a year-end or New Year’s party, it’s sure to get the whole venue fired up together!

The Fate of OpheliaTaylor Swift

Taylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia (Official Music Video)

Released in October 2025 as the lead single from the album “The Life of a Showgirl” and breaking streaming records on Spotify, this track is a perfect pick if you want to switch things up at year-end or New Year parties! It’s a dance-pop tune created in collaboration with the legendary duo Max Martin and Shellback, featuring dazzling synths and an Omnichord interwoven with an alluring new wave-style groove.

Quoting the tragic fate of Ophelia from Shakespeare’s Hamlet while singing a hopeful message about being saved by a loved one, it showcases Taylor Swift’s signature storytelling.

The music video was also released in tandem with a limited theatrical screening event, resulting in a work that fuses literary motifs with cinematic visuals.

Perform it at any gathering of Western pop fans and it’s sure to be a hot topic!

Just the Way You AreBruno Mars

Bruno Mars – Just The Way You Are (Official Music Video)

A love song that celebrates your loved one’s natural, unadorned beauty is the perfect choice when you want to create a romantic mood at karaoke.

Released in 2010 as Bruno Mars’s debut single and included on the album Doo-Wops & Hooligans, it features a piano-centered melody seamlessly blended with hip-hop–style rhythms for a pleasantly smooth sound.

Its simple yet deeply resonant lyrics are part of its charm.

Marking its 15th anniversary in 2025, the song’s timeless appeal is once again in the spotlight.

It’s a classic you’ll want to sing when you wish to express your honest feelings to a partner or someone special.

Why not wrap your year-end or New Year gatherings in a warm atmosphere with this song, woven from plainspoken words of love?

Basket CaseGreen Day

Green Day – Basket Case [Official Music Video] (4K Upgrade)

When talking about 90s punk rock, you can’t leave out Green Day’s signature anthem—it’s a perfect pick for Western music fans looking to get the crowd going at year-end or New Year parties.

Released in 1994 as a single from the album Dookie, this emotional track was written about vocalist Billie Joe Armstrong’s own struggles with panic disorder and anxiety.

Its fast-paced pop-punk sound and irresistibly catchy melody are guaranteed to spark a massive sing-along at karaoke.

After thrilling Japanese rock fans again with their 2025 Japan tour, this timeless classic is one you should belt out at your year-end or New Year gatherings.

I Want It That WayBackstreet Boys

Backstreet Boys – I Want It That Way (Official HD Video)

The Backstreet Boys, who took the world by storm in the 1990s, are among the most successful male vocal groups in history.

Released in 1999 as the lead single from their album Millennium, this song is a pop ballad distinguished by its wistful melody and beautiful harmonies, and it became a massive hit, reaching number one in over 25 countries.

While the lyrics—centered on the themes of lovers growing apart and emotional distance—are abstract, they convey a universal sense of heartache that anyone can relate to.

The catchy chorus sticks with you after just one listen, and its structure makes it perfect for group sing-alongs at karaoke.

The key is set so that even men who struggle with high notes can sing it comfortably, making it an ideal choice for year-end and New Year parties where people of all ages gather!

Pretty Little BabyConnie Francis

Connie Francis – Pretty Little Baby (Official Audio)

Buoyant 60s pop that instantly brightens the room after the first toast at year-end or New Year parties.

Connie Francis’s clear vocals and delicate backing harmonies sketch a story that gently reels in wavering feelings toward the positive, warming you from within.

Recorded in August 1961 and included on the May 1962 album “Connie Francis Sings ‘Second Hand Love’ & Other Hits.” It also circulated in various places as the B-side to “I’m Gonna Be Warm This Winter,” and drew renewed attention in 2025 after spreading on social media.

At the after-party, add some handclaps and sing along brightly to the brisk beat—this song naturally turns into a sing-along with friends of different generations.

Girls Just Want To Have FunCyndi Lauper

Cyndi Lauper – Girls Just Want To Have Fun (Official Video)

This song, released by Cindy Lauper—an iconic figure of 1980s pop culture—in 1983, electrified the world with its colorful, free-spirited image and its bright, empowering message: “Women just want to have fun, too!” Peaking at No.

2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and winning Best Female Video at the MTV Video Music Awards, this classic boasts a catchy melody and a bouncy rhythm that makes everyone want to sing along.

In 2025, Lauper made her final visit to Japan, expressing her gratitude to longtime fans.

It’s a timeless, cross-generational anthem that gets everyone hyped at year-end parties and New Year gatherings alike!