My favorite scene from “It’s a Wonderful Life” is at the end when George Bailey is surrounded by his friends and family and his younger brother Harry shouts:

“To my big brother George, the richest man in town.”

The whole room begins to sing “Auld Lang Syne” and I end up in a puddle of tears.

I don’t know if it’s the melody or the words or the fact that it’s a New Year’s Eve tradition, but something about that song always makes me emotional.

It feels like sweet sadness. Like melancholy and longing. Like letting go of something while still wanting, sometimes in vain, to hold on.

Whatever it is, these three versions touch my heart:

Mairi Campbell (Start video at 1:30)

Guy Lombardo

Pentatonix

Growing up, New Year’s Eve was when my whole family would gather to send the year off with too much food, way too much alcohol, and hours worth of tunes that left us feeling hopeful and nostalgic and excited for the new year.

Here are 10 songs that can help us honor what we’ve been through this year and welcome whatever comes next. And a few that remind me of New Years’ past:

1. “Happy New Year” by ABBA

2. “It’s The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)” by R.E.M.

3. “New Year’s Day” by Taylor Swift

4. “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” by Ella Fitzgerald

5. “Kiss Me at Midnight” by *NSYNC

6. “We are Young” by Fun. featuring Janelle Monáe

7. “Never Too Much” by Luther Vandross

8. “1999” by Prince

9. “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor

10. “Raise your Glass” by Pink

What songs would you add to your New Year’s Eve playlist?

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