20 essential songs for the winter season

Khalid took the world by storm in 2017 when he released his debut album American Teen. In addition to his massive singles, one of the album standout tracks is “Winter.” On the track, Khalid highlights how a fling has fizzled during the fall and winter seasons, so now all he has are memories of their short-filled love. As he sings on the hook, “But the days get harder in November / Love grows colder in the winter / All the things you say, I'll remember / Promise that you'll keep my love with ya.”

It was back in 2012 when pop rock band The Neighbourhood hit mainstream with their debut single “Sweater Weather.” On the track, the band sings of how even during cold temperatures, they’ll keep their partners close and warm. The band is singing, “'Cause it's too cold for you here and now / So let me hold both your hands in the holes of my sweater.”

Kanye West used his 2008 album 808s & Heartbreak as a letter to a past lover. One of the standout tracks is “Coldest Winter,” in which West details going through a break-up and he feels he’ll never feel that same love again in his life. He details his feelings of loneliness and sadness as he raps, “Memories made in the coldest winter / Goodbye, my friend, will I ever love again? / Memories made in the coldest winter.”

Gwen Stefani uses her 2008 single “Early Winter” to describe a relationship that looks like it won’t last in the long run. She adds in metaphors of the different seasons to describe the phases of the relationship. Before the songs end she sings, “It looks like an early winter for us / It hurts and I can't remember sunlight / An early winter for us / The leaves are changing color for us.”

In 1968, rock band The Doors released their third album Waiting for the Sun. One of the album standout tracks is “Wintertime Love,” in which the band sings about the season being perfect for keeping warm with a partner. As they sing on the hook, “Come with me dance, my dear / Winter's so cold this year / You are so warm / My wintertime love to be.”

In 1964, blues singer Muddy Waters released his fourth album Folk Singer. On the track “Cold Weather Blues,” Waters reflects on how living up North in the wintertime is forcing him to travel South in which the weather is much better during the season. He ends the song singing, “So cold up north that the birds can't hardly fly / I'm going back south / And let this winter pass on by.”

In 2015, Ariana Grande released her holiday album Christmas & Chill. While these types of albums typically have artists singing covers of holiday classics, Grande did things a little differently by singing more original tracks. One of which is “Winter Things,” in which Grande sings of imagining a perfect, cold winter day for her and her partner to have a cozy rendezvous. 

In 2006, rock band the Red Hot Chili Peppers released their ninth studio album Stadium Arcadium. On the album’s third single “Snow (Hey Oh),” the band reflects on starting a new slate, which is perfect for fans listening to the track at the top of the year. As they sing on the hook, “Deep beneath the cover of another perfect wonder / Where it's so white as snow / Privately divided by a world so undecided / And there's nowhere to go.”

“Back to December” is the second single from Taylor Swift’s third album Speak Now. On the track, Swift is found meeting with an ex-partner and being apologetic on how their relationship ended. Swift's vocals shine as she sings, “It turns out freedom ain't nothing but missin' you / Wishin' I'd realized what I had when you were mine / I go back to December, turn around and make it alright.”

In 2010, country music group Zac Brown Band released their sophomore album You Get What You Give. The second single “Colder Weather” finds the group singing about a couple in a long distance relationship and trying to make it work as best as they can. As they sing on the hook, “He said, I want to see you again / But I'm stuck in colder weather / Maybe tomorrow will be better / Can I call you then?”

“Wintertime” is the opening track on Cordae’s debut album The Lost Boy. Working with producers like Terrace Martin and Cardiak, the song gives remnants of jazz mixed with hip-hop perfectly, making it for a smooth listen. On the track, Cordae gives details of his life such as his relationships and rapping ability, and how he continues to push forward. 

In 2008, Sara Bareilles teamed up with Ingrid Michaelson on their single “Winter Song.” The tracks gives feelings of sadness as the two sing about not being with their loved ones during the cold season. Their feelings are evident on the hook as they sing, “This is my winter song / December never felt so wrong / 'Cause you're not where you belong / Inside my arms.”

In 1997, Foo Fighters released their critically-acclaimed album The Colour and the Shape to rave reviews. In addition to their singles, a fan favorite on the album is “February Stars.” On the track, the band details the feelings of hanging on, even though life has them on a thread. 

On Norah Jones’ 2018 track “Wintertime,” the singer reflects on how the seasons can be tough but she can still persevere even during the coldest times. The piano-driven track is perfect for Jones’ smooth vocals as she sings, “I know, I know, I know I'll make it / I'll make it through / In the wintertime, there's a kind of light / I only get from you.”

“White Winter Hymnal” is the debut single from indie rock band Fleet Foxes. When people hear the song, they realize the band is just repeating the same verse four times. The band lyrically details about trying to take on the season’s weather conditions. As they sing, “I was following the pack, all swaddled in their coats / With scarves of red tied 'round their throats / To keep their little heads from fallin' in the snow.”

When December rolls around, for some people it can feel like one of the saddest times of the year. That’s the sentiment on Linkin Park’s 2000 track “My December,” which finds the lead singer detailing feelings of regret and pretending that everything is okay, although they’d much rather see a change in their life. 

On Bob Dylan’s 1970 track “Winterlude,” the singer describes the love and admiration he has for a partner. “Winterlude” seems to be the name or nickname of the partner he’s describing in the song. On the first verse he sings, “Oh, I see by the angel beside me / That love has a reason to shine / You’re the one I adore, come over here and give me more / Then Winterlude, this dude thinks you’re fine.”

In 1996, rock band Counting Crows released “A Long December,” the second single from their sophomore album Recovering the Satellites. On the track, the band reflects on dealing with a difficult year, but hoping better days are on the horizon. The songs begins with the band singing, “A long December and there's reason to believe / Maybe this year will be better than the last / I can't remember the last thing that you said as you were leaving / Now the days go by so fast.”

On The Rolling Stones’ 1973 track “Winter,” the band details dealing with a loss love during the cold season. As they sing on the second verse, “ It sure been a hard, hard winter / My feet been draggin' 'cross the ground / And I hope it's going to be a long, hot summer / And the light of love will be burning bright.”

On Sylvan Esso’s 2014 single “Coffee,” the pop duo details how a couple can be in sync with each other. The winters may be cold, but they want to feel the warmth of their partners just like a cup of coffee.