Western songs to listen to in winter: heart-touching winter songs

YellowNEW!Coldplay

Coldplay – Yellow (Official Video)

One of the signature songs by the British rock band Coldplay, released in 2000.

Included on their debut album Parachutes, this ballad expresses devoted feelings for a loved one, featuring a clear, transparent sound that perfectly suits the stillness of winter.

Its restrained drums and guitar tones, along with the emotive vocals, resonate deeply.

Recorded at a studio in Wales, the song reached number four on the UK charts and became a turning point that propelled the band to worldwide success.

It’s a track that gently accompanies those winter nights when you’re thinking of someone special.

Everyday is ChristmasNEW!Sia

Sia – Everyday Is Christmas

This is the title track from Australian singer-songwriter Sia’s album Everyday Is Christmas, released in November 2017.

Created as her first Christmas project, the album is said to have been completed in just about two weeks with producer Greg Kurstin.

It’s a poppy, glittering holiday song that celebrates the special days of Christmas, featuring bell-like decorations that evoke the feel of a winter street scene.

Its jazzy chord progressions intertwine with Sia’s distinctive, soaring vocals, instantly lifting you into the Christmas spirit just by listening!

All I Want For Christmas Is YouMariah Carey

Mariah Carey – All I Want For Christmas Is You (Official Video)

Mariah Carey’s classic Christmas song “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” Rather than just being one of Mariah Carey’s signature songs, it’s no exaggeration to say that when you think of Christmas, you think of “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” Released in 1994, it topped the charts in multiple countries.

The single has sold over 16 million copies.

By the way, the royalties are said to total 60 million dollars—about 6.

3 billion yen.

That’s an astronomical figure… (laughs).

Last ChristmasWham!

Wham! – Last Christmas (Official Video)

Wham!’s biggest hit, “Last Christmas.” It’s a Christmas song that’s very familiar in Japan as well.

On Japan’s Oricon charts, it held the No.

1 spot for 30 weeks straight.

Record sales were also enormous—over one million copies in Japan alone.

Since it’s played just about everywhere at Christmastime, even teenagers will likely recognize it.

While the original is the most famous, it has been covered by many artists, including Seiko Matsuda and EXILE, so be sure to check those out too!

Winter ThingsAriana Grande

Ariana Grande – Winter Things (Official Audio)

When it comes to Ariana Grande’s signature songs, many people probably think of “Santa Tell Me.” That’s certainly a wonderfully wintry track, but the one I’d like to recommend this time is “Winter Things.” It’s crafted as a languid, ukulele-based tune, making it perfect for late Christmas nights.

It’s similar to Justin Bieber’s “Mistletoe,” so it might be nice to listen to them as a set!

The Christmas SongNat King Cole

Nat King Cole – The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You)

“The Christmas Song” was written in 1944 by singer Mel Tormé and composer Bob Wells.

The version recorded by Nat King Cole, introduced here, is especially well known.

Although it sings of winter scenes and Christmas, the song was actually written in the height of summer.

Fed up with the heat, Bob Wells wondered if thinking about winter might help him feel cooler, and he jotted down cool, wintry words on manuscript paper to beat the heat.

Mel Tormé mistook those notes for lyrics to a new song and went on to complete the piece—reportedly in just 40 minutes.

It’s no exaggeration to say this masterpiece was born from a chain of happy accidents.

RiverJoni Mitchell

Joni Mitchell – River (Official Music Video)

Set to a beautiful piano melody, this signature song by Joni Mitchell vividly evokes the feeling of winter.

Against a Christmas backdrop, it poignantly sings of heartbreak and loneliness.

The melody that hints at “Jingle Bells” is striking, yet an undercurrent of yearning runs throughout.

Included on her 1971 masterpiece album Blue, it has become a popular song covered by many artists.

In 2021, it ranked 247th on Rolling Stone’s Top 500 Best Songs.

It deeply resonates with anyone who has gone through a breakup and longs to escape the sorrow.