Big Ben came out of temporary retirement, thousands of people lined the banks of the Thames and millions tuned in on television – London’s 2019 fireworks show was just as big as ever.
This year, the goal behind the capital’s traditional firework display was to cast away the inwards looking image of the U.K. amongst all the Brexit trials and tribulations. Viewers can draw their own opinions of the images and fireworks used, but CelebMix provides you with a rundown of the tracks you heard as 2019 came in.
1. Dua Lipa – New Rules
The world has learnt Dua Lipa’s ‘New Rules’ off by heart over the past year and a half. The track, released in 2017, comes from Lipa’s self-titled debut record. It hit Number 1 in the U.K. Top 40 and is widely regarded as the pop star’s biggest hit to date.
2. Culture Shock – There For You
Producer Culture Shock dropped ‘There For You’ in January 2018. A collaboration with Andy C’s Ram Records and Deadmau5’s Mau5trap, the track was one of three single releases from the drum and bass artists last year.
3. Radiohead – Treefingers
All Brits are aware of who Radiohead are. The rock group are the brains behind hits such as ‘Creep’ and ‘Karma Police’. The track used during the New Year’s Eve fireworks, ‘Treefingers’, comes from their 2000 release Kid A.
4. Sigala & Paloma Faith – Lullaby
A big 2018 hit, DJ Sigala teamed up with Paloma Faith to release ‘Lullaby’ in February of last year. Sigala is famed for his big-name collaborations with the likes of Craig David, Ella Eyre and The Vamps. This track, co-written by Jess Glynne, comes from the DJ’s debut album, Brighter Days, released last year.
5. Zedd & Alessia Cara – Stay
Zedd made a lot of headlines in 2018 with the success of his single ‘The Middle’ with Maren Morris. However, it is his 2017 release, ‘Stay’, with songstress Alessia Cara that featured during the show. The track reached Number 8 in the U.K. singles chart.
6. Liam Payne & Rita Ora – For You
The Fifty Shades series of films has brought a few iconic tracks from across the years. January’s ‘For You’ is the lead single from 2018’s ‘Fifty Shades Freed’ sound track. The Payne-Ora collaboration saw it shoot into the U.K. Top 10.
7. Chase & Status feat. General Levy – Heater
Another big name British group, Chase & Status have been pioneers for electronic music since 2003. ‘Heater’ was one of Chase & Status’ few releases last year, a team-up with General Levy with nearly 900,000 streams on Spotify alone.
8. U2 – Vertigo
The opening track off the iconic U2’s eleventh studio album, How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb, ‘Vertigo’ featured in proceedings. The lead single from that record, the track has been used in a number of high-profile advertisements and was another U.K. Number 1.
9. Justice vs Simian – We Are Your Friends
French duo Justice vs Simian released ‘We Are Your Friends’ in 2006. The track had great success worldwide, charting in the U.K. and winning the MTV Europe Music Award for Best Video – an accolade interrupted by none other than Kanye West.
10. Coldplay vs Sweedish House Mafia – Every Teardrop is a Waterfall
Not skimping on big-name British artists, Coldplay’s music made an appearance in ‘Every Teardrop is a Waterfall’. One of the band’s biggest hits from the past decade, the track received a great deal of radio airplay and was nominated for a Grammy. It comes from the band’s fifth studio album, Mylo Xyloto. A Sweedish House Mafia remix was used during the show.
11. Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle – La Marseillaise
Perhaps the most surprising inclusion of the year is the French national anthem. ‘La Marseillaise’ was permanently adopted in 1870 and came towards the back end of London’s fireworks. You might have heard it sung by the French football team before their matches on the way to winning the World Cup last summer.
10. The Beatles – All You Need Is Love
Finishing the show in true British style, the fireworks rounded off to The Beatles’ iconic ‘All You Need Is Love’. The sing-a-long hit was released all the way back in 1967 but is still loved by the population today.
Did you find a new favourite track during London’s New Year fireworks show? Let us know @CelebMix on Twitter.