“The new year is a new start, a day that everyone can show their desire to care for the people around them,” David Tao tells Apple Music. “And that love will eventually make its way back to you.” With that caring in mind, Tao named his LNY playlist “New Year Songs for the World,” after the title of his 2023 single “全世界都會唱的歌” (“Song for the World”). The veteran singer-songwriter—who helped pioneered R&B and rock sounds in modern Mandopop—launched a project in 2023 to reimagine cuts from his back catalog, including a subtle cover of his 1999 emo cut, “I’m OK.” After years of working during the holidays, Tao now spends them with family, and here picks tracks for everyone to enjoy—especially when traveling. “The road may be long and traffic may be bad but it doesn’t matter when you’re with family or friends,” he says. “You can make your holiday trip a delightful one by listening to music together.” His picks include ballads like Sandy Lam’s “⾄少還有你” (“At Least I’ve Got You”), celebratory anthems like Mayday’s “乾杯” (“Cheers”), and holiday songs like ABBA’s “Happy New Year”—and he specifically recommends “Now And Then,” an unfinished demo by The Beatles, completed in 2023. “The lyrics are so simple—and they convey a sense of love and longing I find particularly meaningful.”