2025 Edition: Recommended Western songs for winter drives — the latest tracks and timeless hits

vampireOlivia Rodrigo

Olivia Rodrigo – vampire (Official Video)

It’s a song woven with heartwarming melodies and deep emotion that makes you forget the winter cold.

Beginning as a piano ballad and unfolding into dramatic pop rock, its structure grips the listener and won’t let go.

Olivia Rodrigo’s emotionally rich vocals brilliantly capture the subtleties of youth.

Released in June 2023, the track drew major attention as the lead single from her second album, Guts.

It has been highly praised by critics, with The Guardian awarding it five stars.

Play it on a winter drive, and alongside the snowy scenery outside your window, it will become an experience etched deeply in your heart.

LOVE’ (feat.TAEYANG)PSY

PSY – ‘LOVE’ (feat.TAEYANG) M/V

This is a song I want people who are a bit tired of PSY to listen to.

Unlike the similar styles that have been released until now, it’s a calm and refreshing track.

Combined with TAEYANG’s beautiful voice, it feels truly new.

I’d love to listen to it on a drive date.

Boy’s a liar Pt. 2PinkPantheress, Ice Spice

PinkPantheress, Ice Spice – Boy’s a liar Pt. 2 (Official Video)

With its dynamic, propulsive beat and soothing synth-pop charm, this track is perfect for brightening up a winter drive.

The lyrics, which candidly depict anxiety and inner conflict in romantic relationships, are sure to resonate with many listeners.

Released in February 2023, the song sparked major buzz, peaking at No.

3 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The unique world crafted by the collaboration between PinkPantheress and Ice Spice carries a warmth that almost makes you forget the winter chill.

If you’re looking for a song that adds color to the cityscape as you drive, this might be the perfect pick.

Options ft. Stephen MarleyPitbull

Pitbull – Options (Official Video) ft. Stephen Marley

By featuring Stephen Marley and giving it a reggae vibe, the track warms the heart even on cold days.

Since Pitbull’s usual hard-hitting style is toned down, some might find it lacking, but it’s one of his few songs you can listen to in a laid-back way.

ProudQrion

Qrion – Proud (Official Music Video)

This is a track I highly recommend for anyone who loves techno music and is looking for songs that suit a winter drive! Qrion, who has been garnering attention in the techno scene of the 2020s—including being selected for Forbes Japan’s “30 UNDER 30 JAPAN 2020”—is a female music producer from Sapporo, Hokkaido, now based in the United States.

In 2021, she released her long-awaited debut album, “I Hope It Lasts Forever,” and the song “Proud,” which I’m introducing here, was produced as the lead track with a music video.

The cool yet subtly nostalgic track samples “I’m So Proud,” released in 1983 by soul singer Deniece Williams, and it feels like a perfect fit for a winter drive, gliding through the cold air.

DiamondsRihanna

Rihanna – Diamonds

It’s a song I want to listen to with my partner on a cold night.

It’s also wonderful to play while driving or sitting in the car looking at the night view.

I think it’s Rihanna’s powerful vocals that keep the silence from feeling awkward.

It’s an entrancing track that’s so very her—truly the queen of love songs.

Snooze (Acoustic) (ft. Justin Bieber)SZA

SZA – Snooze (Acoustic) (Audio) ft. Justin Bieber

It’s nice to drive while being soothed by acoustic sounds, isn’t it? With that in mind, I highly recommend “Snooze (Acoustic) (ft.

Justin Bieber).” This is an acoustic re-release of R&B singer SZA’s track featuring Justin Bieber.

The harmonies between the two, both with high, airy vocals, are truly breathtaking.

Plus, the gently grooving rhythm makes it a perfect fit for a drive.