[2025] Western songs you’ll want to sing at year-end and New Year parties: hype-worthy latest hits and timeless classics

Crazy In LoveBeyoncé

Beyoncé – Crazy In Love (Live)

A massive hit famous for its intro featuring a funky horn section! Released in May 2003 as the lead single from Beyoncé’s solo debut album, Dangerously in Love, it became a huge success worldwide.

Beyond just a classic of R&B, it stands as one of the defining songs of the early 2000s, and it’s a track you often hear around town here in Japan as well.

It’s a love song that captures the intense emotions of falling in love, with powerful vocals and a catchy melody that leave a strong impression.

A perfect pick to get the crowd going at year-end parties or New Year gatherings at karaoke.

BeetlebumBlur

Blur – Beetlebum

Released as the lead single from their self-titled album Blur, this song marked the band’s departure from their earlier sound and a shift toward more experimental music.

Centered on frontman Damon Albarn’s experiences with heroin, its abstract lyrics explore both the allure and the dangers of addiction.

The melody shows a Beatles influence, and the track is characterized by a “sleepy,” “sexy” mood.

After its release in January 1997, it reached No.

1 on the UK Singles Chart.

It also earned a Silver certification and shipped over 200,000 copies, becoming a major hit.

As a song that epitomizes the 1990s music scene, it’s a must-listen for fans of alternative rock.

Don’t worry be HappyBob Marley

Bob Marley – Don’t worry be Happy

When it comes to songs that bring smiles to people around the world, many might think of this one.

Performed a cappella, it’s simple yet features a pleasant rhythm and a relaxed vibe.

Upon its release in 1988, it became an instant hit, reaching No.

1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The following year, it achieved the remarkable feat of winning three Grammy Awards.

With lyrics that emphasize the importance of staying positive even when facing life’s challenges, it’s perfect for year-end or New Year’s parties.

It’s a song that will delight not only gatherings of Western music fans but people of all ages.

DiE4uBring Me The Horizon

Bring Me The Horizon – DiE4u (Official Video)

If you want to amp up New Year’s Eve or New Year’s with a track that’s melodic yet loud, this killer tune is a must-try! Let me introduce “DiE4u” by Bring Me The Horizon, a band that now represents the UK on the world stage and enjoys huge popularity here in Japan.

Released in September 2021 as part of their ongoing Post Human project that began in 2020, it’s a quintessentially hybrid song packed with both fast-paced pop-punk elements and electronic textures.

The chorus practically demands a sing-along, and long-time fans will be thrilled to hear charismatic frontman Oliver Sykes’s shouts right from the start.

At first glance, the lyrics can read like a passionate love song, but look closer and there’s a strong streak of madness—essential reading that feels like Oliver confronting his own darkness.

LosTBring Me The Horizon

Bring Me The Horizon – LosT (Official Video)

An irresistibly engaging melody and a rich, heavyweight sound make this track captivating, as it sings about deep themes like loneliness and self-doubt.

Released as a single in May 2023, it was also featured on the soundtrack for the video game NHL 24.

With its pop-punk influences and upbeat tempo, it’s perfect for getting the crowd going at karaoke.

You can relate to the emotional lyrics while enjoying the energetic sound that makes you want to move.

The exquisite balance between heartfelt lyrics and a refreshing melody is sure to stir the listener’s emotions.

TreasureBruno Mars

Bruno Mars – Treasure (Official Music Video)

It’s a popular track from his second studio album, Unorthodox Jukebox, capturing a fun time at a party.

His collaborator Philip Lawrence described it as “the kind of song that can wake up the whole band.” The song blends R&B with elements of disco, funk, soul, and post-disco.

If you’ve seen the music video, it might ring a bell: Earth, Wind & Fire’s classic September.

It’s the quintessential party song!

Smokin Out The WindowBruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic

Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic – Smokin Out The Window [Official Music Video]

The birth of Silk Sonic—the duo formed by Bruno Mars and Anderson .

Paak—is indispensable when talking about the music scene of 2021.

Their songs, which fully embrace a retro-style soul and R&B sound, boast outstanding quality across the board, and their long-awaited debut album, “An Evening with Silk Sonic,” released in November 2021, earned widespread acclaim from music fans of all ages.

“Smokin Out The Window,” featured in this piece, is their third single—a track that pairs a sweet melody with the sorrow of a man who seems to have had his heart broken.

At year-end or New Year gatherings of longtime soul and R&B fans, we’d love for you to skip the traditional classics and instead pick this song, which feels destined to become a new standard, to show off your great taste!