12 Songs About Snow and Winter You’ll Love

Most people dread the inevitable change from Fall to Winter, but with the winter comes all the fun that can occur due to snow.  So, in this article, we’re going to share our favorite songs about snow, which will hopefully get you excited (rather than bummed out) for the air to turn cold and the snowflakes to begin falling from the sky.

Songs About Snow You Will Love

Let’s begin with the tune by the Zac Brown Band.

Colder Weather by Zac Brown Band

Colder Weather, a country song by the American group Zac Brown Band, was co-written by Zac Brown and Coy Bowles, Wyatt Durrette, and Levi Lowrey.

The music video is undeniably emotional, so much so that it touches the hearts of those who may be separated from a loved one. What appears to be an intense blizzard cloaks the scenes as the video goes on.  The longing looks between the two lovers set the tone for the song.  

The song describes a long-distance relationship, the longing, and the struggles that are faced.  “Stuck in colder weather, baby but soon we’ll be together, I can’t wait ’til then,” is a huge lyric in the chorus.  Though, the song itself on the surface is about a truck driver disconnected from his lover.  She is emotionally struggling with the circumstances, and he repeatedly tries to assure her they will be together again soon. 

Snow (Hey Oh) by Red Hot Chili Peppers

Snow (Hey Oh) is a remarkable song released by the band Red Hot Chili Peppers.  The song is so great, it held the number one spot on the Billboard Modern Rock chart for five weeks straight!   The lyrics catch the attention of rock fans all over the world.   

The snow more refers to the artist’s drugs of choice, cocaine/heroin.  “So white as snow, privately divided by a world so undecided,” makes a direct reference to snorting the drugs.

“The more I see, the less I know, the more I’d like to let it go,” references how the artist immersed himself into these drugs, and how they affected him.  It talks of the repeated attempts to get his life together, only to feel as though he failed.   

Snow presents a blank canvas though as well, a white sheet of fresh powder where anything in this world can happen.  So, the lyrics are up for interpretation, how you feel they most relate to you and your life.  

Goodbye England (Covered in Snow) by Laura Marling

Released in December 2009, Goodbye England (Covered in Snow) is full of bursting with relatable, passionate lyrics.  A beautiful, quiet melody provides comfort.  The song undoubtedly tells of the endeavors of a twenty-something, young adult falling in love.  

Laura Marling magnificently puts into words the hopes and fears one may experience when they are first heartbroken by what they thought was the love of their life.  When you’re in your twenties, at some point, most of us feel as if nothing is going right.  This song subtly acknowledges the frustration we all inevitably feel as young adults.  

But, it also recognizes the artist’s realization that she deserves better than the way she was treated in the relationship the song describes.  Sadly, the lyrics Marling sings imply that the character in the song gives up on England and love.  A lot of us seem to struggle after heartbreak, and this song definitely helps put that into words.  

With snow falling all around you, the depression can be overwhelming.  It’s a sad day when someone gives up on love.  The hidden meaning in the lyrics is why this song went from being a typical winter ode to something so much more.  So many of us can relate to writing a letter while watching the snow drift past our window, crying our eyes out.  No, just me?  

Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow! by Frank Sinatra

Ahhh… The timeless winter classic we all know, and most of us love.  It’s one of those songs that have been written to be sung by almost any artist.  Each artist has adapted it to their personal sound and style.  Almost everyone has their own preference for the version they like the most.  

Let it Snow! is a simple song, with the repetitive lyric “let it snow.”  It describes a frosty, bitter-cold night.  “But since we’ve no place to go,” means since they have nowhere else to be they aren’t worried about the snow falling around them.  They don’t have anywhere to go, so it’s essentially saying “let’s stay warm by the fire and watch the snow.”

The winter song comforts so many of us on those depressing, snowy days.  Reminding us that we have each other, embrace that, and stop worrying about the world around us.  For now, there’s nothing more that can be done.

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15 Feet of Pure White Snow by Nick Caves

15 Feet of Pure White Snow, released in 2001, is one of my favorite Nick Cave pieces.  The song is bursting full of meaning and opportunities to relate.  The different opinions of the obvious meaning give folks a lot to discuss.

The most common idea about Cave’s masterpiece is simply referencing cocaine, or even any white drug, as snow, especially when you look at the rest of the album.  But, how you relate to the song comes from who you are and what you’ve dealt with.

The names that Cave lists represent the people he has lost in life because of drugs.  He calls out for them, but there’s no answer.  Imagine people slowly being lost to an immense blizzard, and then losing yourself under the same weighted blanket of snow.  That’s what this song signifies.

There is also the subtle idea of no one ever being there for others.  Calling someone’s name, begging for help, finally calling out to the Lord, yet, there is no answer.  Towards the end of the song, the lyrics “save yourself! save yourself!” shine a light on the idea that only you can take care of yourself.  You are your only constant.

Snowflake by Jim Reeves

If you grew up in the South, you undoubtedly had a few classic winter songs that you heard every year.  Something about those classic country winter songs genuinely makes you miss home and loved ones.  

Snowflake is one of them.  Growing up listening to this song, admittedly, it brings my heart to the time of watching the snow fall with loved ones and relaxing by the fire while it played on every country music station.

The lyrics are uncomplicated, yet comforting.  Jim Reeves sings the lively melody with such enthusiasm it’s sure to bring a smile to your face.  He sings about a snowflake, but that’s a metaphor for the woman he loves.  The burning desire he has for her keeps him warm in the winter.  It’s such an endearing little tune.   

While I Shovel the Snow by The Walkmen

While I Shovel the Snow is a somber, melancholy tune.  The Walkmen undeniably put into a song how it feels for life to pass you by.  It’s the kind of song that makes you think about what you can do to change that.

The lyrics “half my life, I’ve been watching,” shed a light on a problem many of us have.  Sitting back watching our life pass us by, “once again, the winter’s here,” meaning we’ve lost so much time, it’s winter again.  By the time you realize it, it’s gone.  

I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm by Irving Berlin

This song is a charming winter ballad that brings much joy on bitter snowy days.  Written in 1937 by Irving Berlin, it was originally released in the film On the Avenue, sung by Alice Faye and Dick Powell.  From there, many artists have taken the song and put their own spin on it.  

The lyrics are not subtle in their meaning.  They speak of a snowstorm, and the artist has the ability to “weather the storm” because they have their love to keep them warm.  

It’s quite easy to get lost in the world and the humdrum of everyday life.  The snow, whether or not we love it or hate it, is a solid reminder to slow down.  Sometimes, we just have to stop, watch the snow with loved ones, and make beautiful memories.

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Winter White Hymnal by Fleet Foxes

White Winter Hymnal made its debut in 2008.  Released by Bella Union, it was one of Fleet Foxes debut of their self-titled album.  Since then, it’s been regularly played in a great number radio stations’ winter collections.  It has also been covered by many artists, including a personal favorite, Penatonix.

There is a wide variety of opinions of what the lyrics truly symbolize.  Some interpret them to have a hidden meaning of drug usage, “from fallin’ in the snow,” in particular is interpreted to mean that someone lost a battle to drugs.  

Another interpretation is about wolves being in a pack.  But, one dies and thier blood turns the “white snow as red as strawberries in the summertime.”  That’s just how life works though, is it not?

White as Snow by Cageless Birds

Written by Melissa Helser and Cageless Birds, White As Snow is a heavy, spiritual number.  The lyrics don’t leave any room for personal interpretation, as they are undoubtedly straightforward.

The artists are describing their love for their Lord. “It’s a white as snow kinda love,” thinking of snow as a symbol of purity, they use the white snow as a metaphor for their pure, undying love for their God.

Let it Snow by Chance the Rapper

Released in 2016, Let it Snow by Chance the Rapper is a change of pace from the previously mentioned tunes.  The song is from Chance’s Merry Christmas Lil’ Mama album.  While the instrumentals are a bit melancholy, he makes up for it with his upbeat lyrics and smooth rapping.

It’s quite a fun song with the intention of simply being positive and make you feel good.  It is, however, extremely explicit.  So, listen with caution if that’s not what you enjoy.  The lyrics encourage you to just let go and enjoy the snow.  Chance throws in quite a few references to what you can do to enjoy that time.

Frosty the Snowman by Gene Autry

Finishing off strong with the winter classic, Frosty the Snowman.  Released in 1950, and made fabulous by Gene Autry, this childhood treasure of a song brings you back to the time of watching Christmas movies on repeat with the snow flurrying outside.

Almost everyone knows the lyrics “there must have been some magic in that old top hat they found, for when they placed it on his head he began to dance around.”  The second I hear the bubbly tune come on the radio, a smile spreads across my face.  The memories of sitting in the living room floor with hot cocoa after playing in the snow dance in my head.

Even better, it goes with the movie “Frosty the Snowman.”  Also a childhood favorite, right along with “Rudolph the Red Nose Reigndeer.”  The song and movie both describe the magic that happens when a few children get together to build a snowman.  The laughs from the recording are something that won’t ever be forgotten.

Conclusion

When the snow falls, at some point, you just can’t help but smile.  Winter surrounds you as you cuddle close to those you love.  Or maybe you struggle with seasonal depression, and the winter brings the worst feeling with it.  Whatever you feel, that’s what these songs about snow are created for.  To remind you to keep going, and let it snow!

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