2026 is going to be a huge year for Trinity Rock & Pop so, to bring the year in on-theme, we’ve compiled our very own Rock & Pop New Year’s Eve playlist. Read on to find out which songs from the Trinity Rock & Pop syllabuses would make the UK & Ireland team’s New Year’s Eve party, plus what they would add as their ‘own choice’ option.
The Top 10 Rock & Pop tracks for New Year’s Eve
Dancing in the Moonlight by Toploader
Whilst a huge hit for Toploader in 2000, Dancing in the Moonlight was originally a ‘one hit wonder’ for King Harvest in 1972. Instantly recognisable from its keyboard introduction, this song can be found on the Rock & Pop Vocals syllabus at Grade 2, and Drums and Keyboards at Grade 3.
Friday I’m in Love by The Cure
Not typically known for their upbeat numbers, The Cure’s Friday I’m in Love is a whimsical pop song that has given the band their biggest commercial success. You can find it in our Rock & Pop Guitar Grade 3 syllabus.
Get Lucky by Daft Punk
The creation of some of music’s most brilliant minds - Daft Punk, Pharrell Williams and Nile Rogers Get Lucky somehow manages to intertwine all three artists’ signature sounds (electronic synth, smooth vocals, funky bass) into what has become a dancefloor classic. You can find it in our syllabuses at Initial Grade Keyboards, Grade 2 Vocals and Grade 6 Bass.
Shake It Off by Taylor Swift
It’s hard to imagine many party playlists these days that don’t feature Taylor Swift’s Shake It Off. In our performance notes for the song in our Grade 5 Rock & Pop Vocals song book, we highlight that the song requires an ‘extrovert performing style’ – perhaps it's this that makes it so enjoyable to listen, sing and dance to?
Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars
The first of two requests for music producer Mark Ronson, Uptown Funk is a nod to the 1980s electro-funk sounds of artists like Prince and The Time. The song features vocals from Bruno Mars and became 2015’s top selling record on both sides of the Atlantic. You’ll find it featured on our Rock & Pop song lists for Drums Grade 1, and Keyboards and Vocals Grade 2.
Valerie by Mark Ronson feat. Amy Winehouse
Mark Ronson and Amy Winehouse’s collaborations have produced some of the 21st century’s biggest pop songs but arguably the biggest was their cover of The Zutons, Valerie. Their version (included on Ronson’s album, Version) puts a Motown twist on the original indie track and can be found in the Grade 1 Vocals syllabus.
Dog Days are Over by Florence and The Machine
This song is a patchwork of contrasting sections, sitting light and airy verses with lots of glissandi alongside punchier sections driven by a pounding drumline. The lyrics suggest coming out of hardship and new beginnings – very appropriate to see in the new year. The song is featured in our Grade 6 Vocals for females but remember: any song can be performed by any voice and backing tracks can be transposed accordingly using our transposition tool.
Let’s Dance by David Bowie
There are several David Bowie songs included across our Rock & Pop syllabuses, but it’s Let’s Dance that’s made it onto our New Year’s Eve playlist. It’s also a second appearance from Nile Rogers who both produced the Let’s Dance album and plays rhythm guitar on the title track. Let’s Dance sits alongside Shake It Off on the Grade 5 Vocals syllabus.
Mr Brightside by The Killers
Winner of two separate ‘Song of the Decade’ polls conducted by both XFM and Absolute Radio, it’s somewhat unsurprising that Mr Brightside is still a favourite among the Trinity teams. The guitar part is deceptively tricky with quavers throughout, requiring stamina. For this reason, it’s included in our Grade 7 song book.
Shake a Tailfeather by Ray Charles
Our final song of the night and, if you’ve got any energy left by this stage of the evening, you’re going to want to get on the dancefloor to this number! Originally recorded by The Five Du-Tones in 1963, this song had its renaissance when Ray Charles performed it in the hit comedy film The Blues Brothers. It features in our Grade 5 Rock & Pop Keyboards syllabus too!
What songs would members of the UK & Ireland team pick for their ‘own choice’ selection?
Believe by Cher – ‘Tune!’
- Rebecca Sayers, Sector Support Manager - English Language
Celebration – Kool and The Gang
- Kat Stapley-Smith, Sector Support Manager – Arts & Music
Come on Eileen by Dexy’s Midnight Runners – ‘For total nostalgia. I have fond memories of dancing to this as a kid celebrating NYE at the big parties my parents’ friends used to organise ever year’
- Natalie Christopher, Sector Support Manager – Arts & Music
Don’t Stop Me Now by Queen
- Marc Givens, Exam Delivery Manager
Insomnia by Faithless – ‘It's going to get everyone dancing as is a timeless club track. I'm sure everyone recognises that riff when it kicks in!’
- Amy Lee, Sector Support Manager – Arts & Music
Senorita by Justin Timberlake – ‘Stone cold banger - just the right tempo and it grooves.’
- JJ Wheeler, Business Development Manager – Music
Stomp by Brothers Johnson
- James Mariner, Customer Documentation Improvement Lead
Where is My Husband by Raye - It's not a party if you haven't heard it at least once!
- Ronald Griffith, Exam Delivery Manager
Have we helped inspire your New Year’s Eve playlist? What would you have on yours? However, you are seeing in 2026, we wish you a happy and healthy New Year!
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