Did 2024 fly by for anyone else? Believe it or not, 2025 is just around the corner – and you know what that means: another iconic New Year’s Eve party playlist from us at RAC.
Last year, we curated 10 Perfectly-Timed 2024 NYE Party Hits: TikTok Viral. For this edition, following an unprecedented year for women in music, we’re honouring today’s biggest and brightest female artists. From Charli xcx to Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter to Ariana Grande, this was the year of girly pop.
These songstresses not only dominated the pop charts, but ruled over pop culture as a whole in 2024. The year marks the first time ever that the five most-streamed albums on Spotify all came from women (with Taylor Swift taking the top spot, wracking in a massive 26 billion streams). The Eras tour flooded the streets of the world with glitter, the “HOT TO GO!” dance possessed crowds of all ages, and you couldn’t go anywhere all (brat) summer without coming face to face with slime green squares.
Whether it’s sweaty dance floor bangers, anthemic queer singalongs, or sugary sweet earworms, we’ve got your girly pop NYE needs covered.
#1 “Guess featuring billie eilish” – Charli xcx
“Guess” is considered by many to be a 2024 cultural reset moment (or, at the very least, a modern LGBTQ+ anthem). Relive brat summer and play it at 11:59 on the nose to sing “Don’t have to guess” along with Billie Eilish when her verse starts one minute into this absolute bop.
#2 “HOT TO GO!” – Chappell Roan
If you still haven’t learned the moves to this viral track, there’s still time! Play at 11:59:02 and get ready to bust out that popular dance when the first “H-O-T-T-O-G-O” hits at midnight.
#3 “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM” – Beyoncé
Country had a moment this year with several artists clearly influenced by the genre (think Chappell and Sabrina’s vocals), but Beyoncé fully committed with an entire country album: Cowboy Carter. Take it to the floor at 11:59:48 for a real live hoedown.
#4 “Perfect (Exceeder)” – Mason, Princess Superstar
Last winter, controversial hit film Saltburn launched a resurgence for the 2007 track “Perfect (Exceeder)”, landing it back on several charts in early 2024, including the 10th spot on Billboard’s US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs. Play at 11:59:45 and the beat will drop at 12 on the dot, along with the earworm line “1, 2, 3, 4, let me hear you scream if you want some more.”
#5 “Nasty” – Tinashe
Remember that “Nasty” is an energy, so anyone can sing along to “I’ve been a nasty girl” when the clock strikes 12. Cue it up for 11:59:50 and see if you can finally answer the age old question: “Is somebody gonna match my freak?”
#6 “Espresso” – Sabrina Carpenter
If you haven’t gotten sick of it yet (this one played everywhere this year), start “Espresso” at 11:59:50 to sing along with the infectious chorus: “That’s that me espresso.”
#7 “Diet Pepsi” – Addison Rae
TikTok star Addison Rae, originally known for her viral dancing, proved herself as a promising pop singer this year with several viral hits showcasing polished 2000s-reminiscent vocals. We recommend driving with the windows down for this one and cranking the volume at 11:59:28 to sing/scream “When we drive in your car, I’m your baby” into the New Year.
#8 “That’s So True” – Gracie Abrams
This one might hit if you feel like you’re just barely making it out of 2024 alive (we get it, this year was a lot). Hit play at 11:58:14 and raise your glass to a brighter 2025 with the relatable line “Made it out alive, but I think I lost it.”
#9 “Anaconda” – Nicki Minaj
From Sir Mix-a-lot’s 1992 classic “Baby Got Back”, to the Charlie’s Angels soundtrack, and finally to Nicki Minaj’s sample of the track in 2014’s “Anaconda”, it’s the song that keeps on giving. The Nicki Minaj rendition had a second surge in popularity this year, a decade after its release, used for the viral TikTok trend Women in Male Fields where female creators highlight experiences of double standards and male toxicity in various fields – including the music industry (surprise, surprise)!
#10 “Defying Gravity” (From Wicked) – Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande
And finally, no 2024 girly pop playlist would be complete without a track from the ultimate girly pop film of the year: Wicked. We recommend listening through the entire song so that Cynthia Erivo’s iconic final note strikes at midnight because, well, have you heard it? Play at 11:53:00.
The RAC team wishes you a very happy New Year! Here’s to even more girly pop bangers in 2025, and a fresh year of bold new music, inspiration, and creativity for all.
For more NYE Party Anthems, check out our 2023 playlist and our 10 Perfectly-Timed New Year’s Eve Anthems.
Written by Maryse Bernard
Illustration by Holly Li
