Mark Twain once offered his view that "New Year's is a harmless annual institution, of no particular use to anyone save as a scapegoat for promiscuous drunks, and friendly calls and humbug resolutions." Mark Twain does not have a new single out for the holiday, but one of my first musical heroes Eric Carmen of Raspberries fame does. It's a classic sounding and deeply moving slice of Beach Boys-inspired pop heaven about the eternal need for a fresh start called "Brand New Year." In honor of "Brand New Year," here's my playlist for this New Year's Eve -- with some added suggestions from my followers at @Wildaboutmusic who are credited below as credit is due. As always, add your own songs below. Wishing you all a harmless and very Happy New Year.
BRAND NEW YEAR - Eric Carmen
THIS WILL BE OUR YEAR - The Zombies
READY TO START - Arcade Fire
HOW MANY MORE YEARS - B.B. King
HAPPY NEW YEAR - Dave Stewart @DaveStewart
WANNA BE STARTIN' SOMETHING - Michael Jackson
REELIN' IN THE YEARS - Steely Dan
THIS WILL BE MY YEAR - Semisonic @PrestonWMs
HEART STARTS - Matt Nathanson
NEW YEAR'S DAY - U2
THE YEAR OF THE SUN - The Gordian Knot
FUTURE DAYS - Pearl Jam @rickthaluddite
STARTING ALL OVER AGAIN - Daryl Hall & John Oates
FORGOTTEN YEARS - Midnight Oil
THIS YEAR'S KISSES - Nina Simone @gwendolbowling
BEGINNINGS -- Chicago
NEW FOUND YEAR - Neil Finn & Paul Kelly
NEW - Paul McCartney @jena_fuller
UPSTARTS - Johnny Marr
HOW TO LIVE - Band Of Horses @PaperbackRocker
IT WAS A VERY GOOD YEAR - Frank Sinatra
SEE YOU AGAIN - Carrie Underwood @CdnCarrieFan33
AFTER ALL THESE YEARS - T-Bone Burnett
CELTIC NEW YEAR - Van Morrison
IT'S JUST ANOTHER NEW YEAR'S EVE - Barry Manilow @debdub04
LOCKED OUT OF HEAVEN - Bruno Mars @HeidiLicht
(JUST LIKE) STARTING OVER - John Lennon
I CAN'T CHANGE THE WORLD - Brad Paisley @theBooklover2
IT STARTED WITH A KISS - Hot Chocolate
A LONG DECEMBER - Counting Crows @LornTasby
WHAT ARE YOU DOING NEW YEAR'S EVE - Ella Fitzgerald @Rich804Terri
BEST DAY OF MY LIFE by American Authors @MarthaH1224
MAYBE THIS WILL BE MY YEAR - Train @VocalLizzy
STARTING OVER - The Raspberries