10 Songs That Sound Like Winter

Winter songs don't start and end with Christmas jingles. In fact, many bands don't set out to make a "winter song," but they end up writing a track that captures the essence of the season: the delicate snowflakes, crackling fireplaces or dark, ice-covered streets. Whether you're huddling indoors in December or lounging on a beach in June, these tracks will make you feel like you're wandering through a snowy landscape.

1. The Winter Song by Eisley

The title says it all, but even if "The Winter Song" had a different name, the soft, dainty tune and frosty vocals capture the vibe of shopping for holiday gifts with snowflakes swirling in the air. With a touch of melancholy in the chorus, you might catch yourself thinking about winters past.

2. Spirit Desire by Tigers Jaw

"Spirit Desire" isn't strictly a seasonal song, but the crackling intro and strained vocals evoke thoughts of snow-covered streets, dead leaves on sidewalks and the cold, concrete spirit of an urban winter. The lyrics enhance this feeling by using the fading sun as a metaphor for the narrator's relationship.

3. Kettering by The Antlers

"Kettering" starts with a brittle sound that leads to timid, compressed vocals, creating the sensation of standing in a cold hospital room with frost forming on the window. As the lyrics tell the story of a loved one slowly dying in a hospital bed, you might feel a chill settle in the room.

4. Woolworm by Indian Summer

"Woolworm" has a distinctly eerie, stripped-down sound that makes me think of bare trees and snow-capped forests. After nearly three minutes of quiet, the track suddenly erupts with furious instrumentals, then trickles back into near-silence like the delicate patter of snowflakes on the roof.

5. You Don't Know How Lucky You Are by Keaton Henson

"You Don't Know How Lucky You Are" weaves breathy vocals with grainy, sharp-edged instrumentals to create a rustic melody that sounds like a journey through a dark, frozen landscape. The occasional bright spots glitter like sunlight shining through the tree branches.

6. Chloroform by Nothing

Dark and grungey, "Chloroform" calls to mind the desolation of a rural December: dirty snow piled on the streets, early sunsets and weeks of overcast skies. Like "Woolworm," this track alternates between quiet moments and loud, gritty soundscapes as the lyrics tell a haunting narrative.

7. On the Rocks by The Rural Alberta Advantage

"On the Rocks" is a strong departure from this album's folksy tunes. The track vibrates with an almost mechanical sound that sets the tone for the story, which has an empty, desolate feel like an apocalyptic landscape. Near the end, this track comes to life with the vocalist's emotional cries.

8. Nashville by Noah Gundersen

If you need a break from the cold, "Nashville" offers a warm, upbeat jaunt that tells the story of a man traveling alone. The cozy music always makes me picture a winter village, although the lyrics tell a sadder story that contrasts with the folksy tune. "It's a long, long way back to Nashville," the narrator admits as he continues down the road, never to return.

9. Beauty by The Shivers

Quiet and subdued, "Beauty" captures the minimalism of a winter landscape at night: brambly trees, white snow and a pitch black sky. If you really want to understand the narrator's mindset, try standing outside after a snowfall and reflecting on a lost love as the sun disappears below the horizon.

10. Nothing's Gonna Happen by The Staves

If "Beauty" represents a frosty night, "Nothing's Gonna Happen" has the warmth of a winter sunrise with yellow-and-orange beams casting across the glittering ice. A bonfire seems to crackle at the heart of this song as the vocalists sing together in a soft melody. Still, the lyrics tell a sadder tale as the narrators wonder, "Could I be the only one still waiting?"

Have you heard any of these tracks before? Which songs would you add to this playlist? Let me know in the comments.