30 of the Very Best Winter Songs
Every season has its own special vibe, and it’s best expressed through music. From fun summer jams to optimistic spring anthems and autumn ballads, music has the power to invoke the seasons. Winter songs elicit memories of cozy nights, festive celebrations, and snowy adventures — and there are lots of great examples to enjoy.
From traditional Christmas songs to beloved folk tunes and modern pop hits, let’s take a look at 30 of the best classic winter songs of all time.
"Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" Dean Martin
This beloved song by Dean Martin is a wintertime classic. If you love watching snow fall outside while sipping on a warm beverage, this music would make the perfect soundtrack. It might not be his sexiest hit, but the King of Cool has a fantastic voice here over a background of horns and strings.
"Winter Wonderland" Bing Crosby
This song was written in 1934 by Felix Bernard and Richard Bernhard Smith, and it’s an absolute Christmas classic. Many artists have recorded this track over the years, with the fabulous Bing Crosby leading the line. His version of “Winter Wonderland” is a delight from start to finish, and it’s a holiday favorite even today.
"Frosty the Snowman" Gene Autry
The iconic “Frosty the Snowman” was created by Walter “Jack” Rollins and Steve Nelson. Gene Autry and the Cass County Boys were responsible for the first recording, which was released way back in 1950. Orvon Grover “Gene” Autry had already recorded “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” the previous year, making him one of the most iconic Christmas artists of all time.
"Tis the Damn Season" Taylor Swift
Winter music is not all about snowmen and Christmas trees; sometimes it’s about loneliness and self-doubt. On the track “‘Tis the Damn Season,” Taylor Swift sings of hometown returns and rekindled relationships. This track is accompanied by a finger-picked guitar and programmed drums, and it was released on Swift’s ninth studio album, Evermore.
"Fifteen Feet of Pure White Snow" Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
The amazing Nick Cave is the ideal partner for long winter road trips or fireside drinks. His unique brand of self-reflection and grandiosity brings forth visions of dark, cozy nights and enchanted forests with people you love. “Fifteen Feet of Pure White Snow” is a great example, with this song released on the band’s 2001 album, No More Shall We Part.
"Sweater Weather" The Neighborhood
On a cold winter’s day, familiar items bring comfort and consolation. “Sweater Weather” was released by The Neighbourhood in 2012, serving as the lead single from their debut studio album, I Love You. This track managed to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart, transforming the band into a suburban favorite for years to come.
"Baby, It's Cold Outside" Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Jordan
Some songs lie so deep in the memory that they almost belong to everyone. “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” is the perfect example, written by Frank Loesser in 1944 and popularized years later in the film Neptune’s Daughter. Written as a call-and-response duet between host and guest, it’s typically performed by male and female singers. This version of the song released by Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Jordan is definitely the most iconic, and even today, it’s a huge winter hit.
"Hazy Shade of Winter" The Bangles
Very few bands represent the 1980s better than The Bangles. “Hazy Shade of Winter” is one of their most memorable tracks, with soaring vocal harmonies and a fantastic guitar riff helping it climb the charts to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. This song was originally written and recorded by Simon & Garfunkel, but most people seem to remember the Bangles version.
"Do You Want to Build a Snowman?" Kristen Bell
This song comes from the 2013 Disney animated film Frozen. Due to the massive success of the movie, this track is second on SoundScan’s best-selling Christmas singles list. This song by Kristen Bell has a rich and subtle sadness, accurately portraying the core relationship between characters Anna and Elsa.
"Cold" Annie Lennox
This song actually feels like winter, with ’80s/’90s superstar Annie Lennox giving everything she has with a stunning vocal delivery. “Cold” chronicles a relationship of unrequited love, and it’s absolutely chilling from beginning to end. As a listener, you can feel the damaged relationship permeating through the air as you take in the icy synths and cold, earthy vocals.
"Walking in the Air" Aled Jones
This song was written by the artist Howard Blake for the 1982 animated film The Snowman. It comes from a 1978 kid’s book of the same name and was a seasonal favorite on British TV for many years. This version of “Walking in the Air” was sung by Welsh superstar Aled Jones, who lends his impressive vocal chords to the track’s memorable winter-themed lyrics.
"Snow (Hey Oh)" Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Chili Peppers aren’t the first band that springs to mind when you think of songs about winter. “Snow (Hey Oh)” comes from their 2006 double album, Stadium Arcadium, and it’s an absolute jam. As vocalist Anthony Kiedis sings of surviving and starting fresh, the band lays down a hard optimistic groove about the year ahead.
"River" Joni Mitchell
The iconic artist Joni Mitchell released “River” in 1971, and it remains a radio favorite even today. Composed on piano and never released as a single, it quickly found a place in the singer’s famous live act. “River” is set around the holiday period, and the piano accompaniment borrows from the Christmas classic “Jingle Bells.”
"Cold December Night" Michael Bublé
The music of Michael Bublé seems tailor-made for winter fires and evening drinks. On “Cold December Night,” he presents a tale of hung stockings, sleeping children, and twinkling lights. Like many Christmas songs by modern pop artists, this is a gentle love song that appeals to the better instincts of us all.
"Snowman" Sia
The fabulous artist Sia recorded and released “Snowman” in 2017 on her eighth studio album, Everyday Is Christmas. It’s a ’60s-style, piano-driven ballad with a swaying feel, and it has a calm-yet-energetic vibe. Sia wrote some great music during this part of her career, including this modern seasonal classic.
”The Christmas Song” Nat King Cole
The revered Nat King Cole created some outstanding songs over his long career. Released in 1946, “The Christmas Song” is definitely among them. The original version of this track utilized a small string section, and it became a massive hit on the pop and R&B charts. Other versions came out in the 1950s and ’60s, this time with an orchestra and full stereophonic sound.
"How to Disappear" Lana Del Rey
The fabulous Lana Del Rey has lots of great songs about introversion and coldness. “How to Disappear” is one such anthem, and in many ways, it’s the winter version of her famous “Summertime Sadness” track. The beautiful melancholy of “How to Disappear” can be heard on the amazing Norman Fucking Rockwell! album from 2019. This track is proof that not all winter songs are meant for Christmas.
"2000 Miles" The Pretenders
Winter brings people together, but it can also make you feel alone. On “2000 Miles” by The Pretenders, the lyrics present a familiar sense of distance and loss. In the music video for this track, singer Chrissie Hynde dressed as a member of The Salvation Army in a beautiful snowy location. Coldplay also recorded a version of this song, but the original is definitely the best.
"Snowbound" Genesis
The iconic Genesis released a track called “Snowbound” in 1978. While this term typically refers to being locked inside your home, this track has a very different interpretation. When Genesis sings of being “snowbound,” it’s a guy trapped inside a snowman outfit being smothered to death by a group of children. Despite the disturbing lyrics, this track has a medieval and somewhat magical feel throughout.
"Winterlong" Neil Young
“Winterlong” is a gut-wrenching love song about internal and external coldness. It was first performed solo by Young acoustically at a club show in Michigan, and it soon became a fan favorite. “Winterlong” was recorded with Crazy Horse the following year and shelved until 1977, when it was finally released on the compilation album Decade. This great song is about a love that never was and a feeling that won’t go away.
"February Stars" Foo Fighters
Nice-guy rocker Dave Grohl isn’t necessarily known as a winter artist. “February Stars” is an exception, however, starting soft and tender before peaking in typical Foo Fighters style. Just like the first snowfall of the season, this song builds and builds as the sonic environment changes behind your ears.
"Winterlude" Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is another iconic artist full of introversion and self-doubt. While most of his music is great for winter listening sessions, “Winterlude” is the obvious choice. As Dylan croons about coldness and snow, the rest of the world almost seems to fade away. In an interesting footnote, this track is famous for rhyming the title phrase with the word “dude” — something almost unimaginable in a post-Bill & Ted world.
"Winter White Hymnal" Fleet Foxes
When Fleet Foxes first hit the airwaves in the noughties, they brought folk music back to the masses. With choir-inspired harmonies and ’60s tambourines keeping time, “White Winter Hymnal” is a cozy yet eerie winter song. This was actually the band’s debut release, and it definitely set the mood for their future catalog.
"Ice Ice Baby" Vanilla Ice
The winter months are often full of melancholy and self-reflection. Not “Ice Ice Baby,” however, which represents an entirely different type of nostalgia. Made by the iconic Vanilla Ice in 1981, this song sampled huge sections of “Under Pressure” by Queen and David Bowie. Somewhat sadly, “Ice Ice Baby” was the first hip-hop track to hit top spot on the Billboard Hot 100.
"Solitude" Billie Holiday
Billie Holiday is another generational talent with lots of vibey winter tracks. As winter is the loneliest season of the year, “Solitude” is the perfect song to lose yourself in over cold and introverted months. This track has mournful lyrics, timeless melodies, and that iconic Billie Holiday voice. Songs about winter don’t get any better than this.
"Ice Dance" Danny Elfman
From the movie Edward Scissorhands, this track absolutely screams wintertime. It’s the main theme of this delightful film and the only instrumental piece on this list. “Ice Dance” is among the very best music composed by Danny Elfman, which says a lot for someone with his incredible list of movie credits.
"Last Christmas" Wham!
You can’t have a best winter songs list without including this classic from Wham! “Last Christmas” is a delightful pop song with all the sweetness you’d expect and more. Written and produced by George Michael, it’s possibly the most iconic 1980s track ever recorded. This is one of the most classic winter songs of all time.
"I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm" Ella Fitzgerald
The spectacular generational talents of Ella Fitzgerald come through loud and clear on this amazing number. While lots of artists have done a version of “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm,” this one is definitely the best. On this recording from 1958, Ella Fitzgerald collaborates with Paul Weston & His Orchestra to create real sonic magic. This track has been keeping people warm for decades now — and long may it continue.
"A Hazy Shade of Winter" Simon & Garfunkel
This is one of those winter songs that everyone seems to know. “A Hazy Shade of Winter” by Simon & Garfunkel comes from their studio album Bookends, and it’s a fantastic rocking folk tune. This track was also released by The Bangles, who crafted a very different but equally inspired version.
"Fairytale of New York" The Pogues
Probably the best Christmas song ever created, “Fairytale of New York” is great in every way. Shane MacGowan and his Pogues get everything right on this number, which blends Irish folk music with holiday homesickness in a brisk waltz-time feel. This track is a duet between MacGowan and English singer-songwriter Kirsty MacColl, both of whom are absolutely phenomenal.
Final Thoughts
Winter is a special time full of special moments and magical memories. The songs on this playlist encapsulate the unique spirit that shines bright during this special time of the year. Whether you’re hanging with friends, eating with family, or sitting by the fire with someone you love, listening to the winter songs on this playlist is a great way to celebrate the holiday season.
Best Winter Songs: Chilly Vibes Playlist
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