01
For singers & storytellers
Conversational phrasing and an acoustic setting bring the story forward. Start here for a singer’s interpretation or a reflective New Year scene.
Klezmer Clarinet3:48
← The song, lyrics & sheet musicNew Year on
ONE SONG · NINE RECORDINGS
New Year on
Times Square
Also released as Happy New Year New York
New York is celebrating. One person in the crowd is feeling something more complicated. Find the sound that fits your performance, your scene, or your New Year.
Music & lyrics by Walter J. Kin · RIGLI
A quieter story beneath the lights
THREE PLACES TO BEGIN
Find your version
Choose the feeling you want to bring forward
02
For a festive New York video
A lively retro setting with a swinging pulse and bright accents. A starting point for city lights, celebrations and a New Year montage.
1960s Club3:34
03
For a dramatic vocal performance
A gradual opening and a more expansive emotional delivery. Explore this recording when the performance calls for a larger dramatic arc.
Happy New Year New York4:40
NOW SELECTED 1 / 9
Klezmer Clarinet
Conversational phrasing and an acoustic setting bring the story forward. Start here for a singer’s interpretation or a reflective New Year scene.
Klezmer ClarinetRIGLI · Intimate storytelling
0:003:48
Listening shortcuts are approximate. Each player uses the complete recording.
THE COMPLETE COLLECTION
Explore all nine recordings
Different arrangements. Different ways into the same story.
Klezmer Clarinet
Intimate storytelling
Conversational phrasing and an acoustic setting bring the story forward. Start here for a singer’s interpretation or a reflective New Year scene.
3:481960s Club
Festive city energy
A lively retro setting with a swinging pulse and bright accents. A starting point for city lights, celebrations and a New Year montage.
3:34Happy New Year New York
A dramatic vocal arc
A gradual opening and a more expansive emotional delivery. Explore this recording when the performance calls for a larger dramatic arc.
4:40House Swing
Nightlife & fast edits
Brisk electronic pop energy for fast edits, nightlife and a club atmosphere.
3:35Latin House
Guitar & electronic pulse
Expressive guitar passages, a strong vocal presence and an electronic pulse.
4:10New Year on Times Square
LANDR recording
Dance-pop movement with a bittersweet narrative. A contemporary pop interpretation.
4:18New Year on Times Square
DistroKid recording
Another contemporary dance-pop interpretation of the story.
3:56New Year on Times Square
Indie Dance Pop recording
An alternative dance-pop recording with a modern electronic setting.
3:53New Year on Times Square
12:32 recording
Another electronic pop arrangement, with a recurring plucked motif.
4:18Arrangement and source labels distinguish the recordings on this page; they do not rename the releases.
MAKE IT PART OF YOUR NEW YEAR
Bring your own voice
Sing the song in your live set, or discuss using a recording in a film, programme or New Year video.
Preparing to perform?
The existing working lead sheet follows the 4:18 recording on the original song page. Other versions may use different melodies and phrasing. Match the score to your chosen recording before rehearsal.
Lyrics & working sheet music →Live-performance terms are on the Sing My Songs page. Recording, video and livestream uses require a separate discussion.
About this listening guide
This guide was developed using AI-assisted analysis of nine complete recordings and comparisons of excerpts at matched loudness. The recommendations describe creative fit; they are not an objective ranking or a technical assessment of the recordings. The recordings here retain their original sound levels.
Prepared 24 October 2026. No performance or broadcast placement is implied.