Auld Lang Syne, 2025

“Auld Lang Syne” (Time Long Past) is a Scottish song about remembering old friends, good times, and the past as the new year begins. It’s a tradition popularized in America by bandleader Guy Lombardo from 1929 to 1976.

The chorus is: “For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne, we’ll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.”
We’ll sing it again when the ball drops in Times Square and lights up “2026,” and another new year begins.

If history repeats itself, I will be sound asleep, of course. I haven’t watched the festivities live since college days. I’m one of those “early to bed, early to rise” guys. But, rest assured, the new year will commence regardless of who’s awake and who isn’t.

How will we remember 2025? Each of us will have our own experiences to remember. Some were good, some not so good.

Collectively, we will probably mark 2025 as another year of conflict, this time in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan and elsewhere. The waters off Venezuela can be hazardous to boat operators, as well. Mankind just never seems to learn how to get along. We’ve been fighting and killing each other for millennia. Will 2026 be different?

Technological advancements, as they do every year, grew exponentially in the old year to make things better and easier for us. Most of the time. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is racing to make all of us obsolete. Scares me to death. I’m glad I’m retired. I don’t think AI can replace retirement.

Following the traditional pronouncement, habemus papam (We have a Pope), a new Pope was introduced to the world following the passing of Pope Francis. American born Robert Prevost became Pope Leo XIV. He’s the first pontiff to be a known Chicago White Sox fan.

A familiar face moved back into the White House in January. And then promptly tore part of it down. One pundit said that 45-47 “is a very consequential President.” I can’t argue with that. Whether that’s good or bad I’ll leave up to you and history.

For 43 days the government shutdown, putting more than 900,000 people out if work. What did that accomplish?

Taylor Swift. Need I say more? Her “Eras Tour” of 2023-2024 was described as one of the most prominent cultural phenomena of the 21st century. Maybe even bigger than Beatlemania of the 1960s. She tirelessly performed 149 three- and one-half hour live shows, before more than 10 million people, generated more than $2 billion in ticket sales and many millions more in other revenue.

How do you top that? In 2025 she turned 36 and The Life of a Showgirl album was released. In its first week, it sold over four million album-equivalent units – the most for any LP in history. And she got engaged to Kansas City Chiefs star, Travis Kelce.
The lady is beyond talented. She is a one-of-a-kind phenomenon. Is Travis Kelce lucky, or what? So are we to have her.

As happens every year, many famous people exited this life in 2025, too numerous to list here. They, along with countless millions of other folks who were not famous except to family and friends, will be missed.

Worldwide, more than 130 million babies were born who will have their chance to leave their mark on the world. I wish them all godspeed. They will have to grapple with AI affecting their lives and who knows what else.

I don’t make any New Years resolutions. Do you? I found them to be rather meaningless as situations changed while the new year progressed. But I certainly do have high hopes again that the world will be more peaceful and that you and yours will have a happy, healthy, stress-free year. It never hurts to dream.

Happy New Year, everyone!

Contact Rick at tct@pageone-inc.com