As the end of the year approaches, you're probably putting together a killer mix for your New Year's Eve festivities. But what about for New Year's Day, when you're hungover and reflecting on the past year? That's where my "Go to 11 in 2011" mix comes in. (Thanks, Nigel Tufnel.) Some of these songs are New Year's-specific, some are about fresh starts. Others are just straight up awesome jams to get you pumped for the coming 365 days. Here are ten tunes for your first mix of 2011.
"The New Year," Death Cab for Cutie - One of the few songs that perfectly captures the season's mix of melancholy ("This is the new year/and I don't feel any different") and revelry. It's also easily the best New Year's song of all time. How do you like them apples, U2??
"Happy New Year," Abba - Forget that drippy "Auld Lang Syne" song. The musical stylings of Frida, Benny, Bjorn, and Agneta should be the official New Year's anthem. Plus, they sure know how to throw a crazy balloon party.
"Dog Days Are Over," Florence and the Machine - A rousing song from one of 2010's breakout stars, and a good way to put this crazy year in your rear-view mirror.
"F--k You," Cee-Lo Green - Your (NSFW) musical kiss-off to anyone who did you wrong this past year.
"Change Clothes," Jay-Z - Sometimes all you need to start the year right is a new wardrobe. And a little swagger never hurt.
"New Year's Eve," The Walkmen - A great, jangly, end-of-a-drunken-night piano jam.
"Get Up," Sleater-Kinney - Something peppy to help you get your rock star on after January 2nd. (Jan. 1st is strictly for hangover nursing.)
"Ambling Alp," Yeasayer - When you need a boost, heed the lyrics of this rousing tale of boxer Joe Louis disguised as an upbeat indie synth pop song:
Now, the world can be an unfair place at times
But your lows will have their complement of highs
And if anyone should cheat you, take advantage of, or beat you
Raise your head and wear your wounds with pride
You must stick up for yourself, son
Never mind what anybody else done
"Hanging on Too Long," Duffy - "I know it's wrong, hanging on too long." Words to live by, particularly if you're still hung up on a guy and need to move on in the new year.
"Pretty Good Year," Tori Amos - Sure, we had oil spills, bed bugs, and Snooki. But, overall, it wasn't so bad. Raise your glass, cause we're all still here. Pretty good year.
Happy New Year!
"The New Year," Death Cab for Cutie - One of the few songs that perfectly captures the season's mix of melancholy ("This is the new year/and I don't feel any different") and revelry. It's also easily the best New Year's song of all time. How do you like them apples, U2??
"Happy New Year," Abba - Forget that drippy "Auld Lang Syne" song. The musical stylings of Frida, Benny, Bjorn, and Agneta should be the official New Year's anthem. Plus, they sure know how to throw a crazy balloon party.
"Dog Days Are Over," Florence and the Machine - A rousing song from one of 2010's breakout stars, and a good way to put this crazy year in your rear-view mirror.
"F--k You," Cee-Lo Green - Your (NSFW) musical kiss-off to anyone who did you wrong this past year.
"Change Clothes," Jay-Z - Sometimes all you need to start the year right is a new wardrobe. And a little swagger never hurt.
"New Year's Eve," The Walkmen - A great, jangly, end-of-a-drunken-night piano jam.
"Get Up," Sleater-Kinney - Something peppy to help you get your rock star on after January 2nd. (Jan. 1st is strictly for hangover nursing.)
"Ambling Alp," Yeasayer - When you need a boost, heed the lyrics of this rousing tale of boxer Joe Louis disguised as an upbeat indie synth pop song:
Now, the world can be an unfair place at times
But your lows will have their complement of highs
And if anyone should cheat you, take advantage of, or beat you
Raise your head and wear your wounds with pride
You must stick up for yourself, son
Never mind what anybody else done
"Hanging on Too Long," Duffy - "I know it's wrong, hanging on too long." Words to live by, particularly if you're still hung up on a guy and need to move on in the new year.
"Pretty Good Year," Tori Amos - Sure, we had oil spills, bed bugs, and Snooki. But, overall, it wasn't so bad. Raise your glass, cause we're all still here. Pretty good year.
Happy New Year!
More entries in the "GuySpeak Mega Music Mix" series:
Sexiest Songs Of All Time
Top Ten Break-Up Songs
Top Five Romantic Christmas/Holiday Songs
Great Wedding Songs For Your Recessional
The first song I had to hear this year was Mambo Number 5 at the restaurant I was working at, played by the crappy DJ.
Let's just say I didn't really want to kick off the year with that number.
Whatever happened to Lou Bega? If you look up "one-hit wonder" on Wikipedia, you probably see his picture.