Singles usually regard New Year’s Eve as romantic an occasion as Valentine’s Day. You want to spend the ending of the year and the beginning of another with the people you love. In most cases, this means family and friends. But for those in the dating game, that could be somebody you would want to spend your whole life with.
Remember that climactic scene in the romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally? It was while in a New Year’s party that Harry, played by Billy Crystal, and Sally, played by Meg Ryan, realized that they want to be together forever.
That was probably what composer Frank Loesser had in mind when he composed What are You Doing New Year’s Eve? in 1947. Contrary to what has happened since then, the song was not intended to be a holiday tune, but it is now usually found in Christmas albums. The question can be asked of anybody that one feels is his destiny any time. That means any day from Jan. 1 to Dec. 30.
The lyrics put forth the question very well. “…Maybe I’m crazy to suppose/ I’d ever be the one you chose/ out of the thousand invitations you receive/ Ah but in case I stand one little chance/ here comes the jackpot question in advance/ what are you doing New Year’s Eve.”
Still maybe because it mentions New Year’s Eve and maybe because of the dearth of songs about the New Year, this dating invitation is now part of the holiday repertoire. First recorded by Margaret Whiting, there are now versions by Ella Fitzgerald, Johnny Mathis, the Carpenters, Andy Williams, Harry Connick Jr., Barbra Streisand, Barry Manilow, Rod Stewart and many others.
Coincidentally, it was also Loesser who composed another unlikely holiday song, the Academy Award-winning Baby, It’s Cold Outside. Both tunes are factual, cleverly-devised takes on the art of seduction.
As for that dearth on songs about the New Year, here are few that are usually heard each time a year comes to its end.
It’s Just Another New Year’s Eve by Barry Manilow from 1977. Its message is the kind that says, no need to make a big deal out of this New Year’s Eve because you can pull through. After all, it is just another day. “It’s just another New Year’s Eve, another night like all the rest…”
Happy New Year by ABBA. Composed by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, the song is from the Super Trouper album of 1981 with sparkling vocals by Agnetha Faltskog. In it, the Scandinavian foursome is thinking of what the future holds for them. “It’s the end of a decade/ in another ten years ‘time/ who can say what we’ll find/ what lies waiting down the line at the end of ’89.” A lot has happened to us and to them since then.
Same Old Lang Syne by Dan Fogelberg of Longer and Leader of the Band fame. Included in his 1980 album The Innocent Age, the song is not about the New Year. The story happens during Christmas. But its tale of lovers meeting again so embodies the message of Auld Lang Syne that it has now become a Holiday staple. That is Michael Brecker playing the sax at the end of the recording.
New Year’s Day by Taylor Swift. A country-tinged ballad, this is one of the great cuts in Swift’s album Reputation. In it, she looks beyond having a date or somebody to kiss on New Year’s Eve. What she is looking for is someone who will be there for her. Maybe help her fix the house and clean up the mess after the party.
New Year’s Day by U2. Released in 1983, it was the lead single of the album War and one of the group’s early hits. Now Bono makes an issue of everything, and a lot of times, I am glad he does because he really manages to accomplish so much. U2’s look on New Year’s Day has a political theme. It is about the Polish Solidarity Movement.
Happy Days Are Here Again, a rousing song by Milton Ager and Jack Yellen from 1929 that is now known as a ballad, thanks to Barbra Streisand. Barbra actually made several versions of the song. One in 1963 for her first album, as a mash-up with Get Happy in a duet with Judy Garland, several live recordings and another one in the album Walls, her musical diatribe about the state of things in America. Same song. Different times. Listen and see how her interpretation brings out different messages.
And the timeless Scottish ode to friendship and goodbyes by the great poet Robert Burns, Auld Lang Syne. If you are looking for one, I say that Mariah Carey has a very good pop version. For sentiments, you cannot go wrong with Kenny G’s. A big hit in 2000, his sax just made everything about leaving the old year behind sadder still.
But don’t be sad. Next year may just be the best time of our lives.
A happy and blessed 2023 to all.