Now that 2017 is here, we can finally put 2016, and all of the unfortunate circumstances associated with the year, behind us. Nonetheless, there are some aspects of 2016 that are worth bringing into the New Year. Here are eight songs that were on my final 2016 playlist and are worth listening to in 2017.

1. “Just Hold On” – Steve Aoki & Louis Tomlinson

Aoki and Tomlinson released the song on Dec. 10, 2016 after they performed it live for the first, and thus far only, time on The X Factor (UK). The song was co-written by Tomlinson and Aoki, among others, and its release came only days after the announcement that Tomlinson’s mother died from a blood form of leukemia at the age of 43. My favorite lyrics in the song are: “So what do you want them to say when you’re gone?/That you gave up or that you kept going on?/What do you do when a chapter ends?/Do you close the book and never read it again?” Despite the somber lyrics, the upbeat tempo lends the song to being played in clubs as the perfect dance tune.

2. “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (feat. Jensen Ackles)” – Jason Manns

Although the holiday season is over, it’s still winter break, so why should we stop listening to the music? Ackles and Manns have collaborated on several occasions, and although the collaboration is over two years old, it is worth giving a listen to. Ackles’ raspy croon, accompanied by Manns’ smooth background vocals, never cease to be pleasing to the ear.

3. “Wild Things” – Alessia Cara

I saw Cara open for Coldplay when I went to the latter’s concert with a friend this past July and her onstage presence did not disappoint. I had heard her radio hits “Wild Things” and “Scars to Your Beautiful” prior to seeing her act, and she sounded just as great live. If anything, the live performance increased my appreciation for her as an artist and a person, as she interacted with the audience, explaining the powerful messages behind each song, while also creating a bond with the crowd.

4. “Power” – Little Mix

Little Mix’s latest album “Glory Days,” which was released last year, is a constant for me and I could have included at least half of the songs on my playlist. Nonetheless, “Power” is definitely one of my top favorites, the anthem impressively stretching the vocals of all the members of the girl band, but particularly Perrie Edwards toward the end of the song. My favorite lyrics in the song are: “Hold up!/My turn/I make this look easy/Tick Tick boom like gasoline-y/Yeah they call me Lamborghini/Cause I know just what I’m worth.”

5. “Proud” – Heather Small

I heard Small’s song for the first time when watching Showtime’s drama “Queer As Folk.” I love the upbeat tempo and how regardless of whether the song is slowed down or sped up — I’ve heard various versions — it still maintains a certain beat and rhythm that makes you want to get up and dance to it. My favorite lyrics in the song are: “Still so many answers I don’t know/Realize that to question is how we grow/So I step out of the ordinary/I can feel my soul ascending.”

6. “Straight To … Number One (Dreamcatchers Mix)” – Touch and Go

Touch and Go’s song is another one that I heard on “Queer As Folk,” but it is less upbeat. It possesses a sultry vibe that makes it less fitting on the dance floor, but in can be a mood song if listened to in a smaller, more intimate setting, even amongst others. As the title may suggest, the song is told in a countdown format, which helps build the anticipation for reaching No. 1. However, the anticipation is built purely off of the tone, without the tempo actually rising at any point.

7. “Oops (feat. Charlie Puth)” – Little Mix

“Oops” is another song off of Little Mix’s album, “Glory Days” that is worth bringing into in the New Year with us. The song features Puth, which in reality I could have done without since he does not add much lyrically or in terms of vocals, and has a catchy tune that you will find yourself whistling along to or snapping your fingers even after the song has finished. My favorite lyrics in the song are: “If it was up to me/I’d take a time machine to the day I said goodbye/So can we try again/We’re official, more than friends.”

8. “Can’t Go Home (feat. Adam Lambert) [Radio Edit]” – Steve Aoki & Felix Jaehn

I discovered “Can’t Go Home” on Tumblr prior to Aoki’s collaboration with Tomlinson and immediately was intrigued. Aoki creates interesting beats and in this particular song, there is a build-up and while you’re waiting for the beat to drop, it’s impossible not to admire the vocals of both Jaehn and Lambert. Although it seems to be an eclectic array of artists, Aoki makes the different sounds work well in sequence with one another.