39 Best Songs About The Cold
Are you looking for songs about the cold? We've got you covered. In this article, we'll check out some of the best songs about cold weather and chilly days, from classic hits to modern favorites.
1. “Cold, Cold Cold” by Little Feat
Song Year: 1972
“Cold, Cold Cold” is a song by the American rock band Little Feat. It came out in 1972 as the lead single from their third album, Sailin' Shoes.
It features a driving rhythm and a catchy melody, and the lyrics tell the story of a man feeling lost and alone in the cold.
2. “Cold” by Aqualung and Lucy Schwartz
Song Year: 2011
“Cold” is a song by English singer-songwriter Aqualung and American singer Lucy Schwartz. Most people know it from the 2011 movie The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1.
“Cold” is a slow, acoustic ballad about the end of a relationship, and the lyrics describe the coldness and emptiness the narrator feels after the relationship.
The song's melody is simple and haunting, and Schwartz's vocals are beautiful and heartbreaking.
3. “Wintertime” by Norah Jones
Song Year: 2018
“Wintertime” is a song by singer-songwriter Norah Jones, a jazz artist from New York City. She released it with her 2019 album Begin Again and produced the track with Danger Mouse.
A slow, acoustic ballad about the loneliness and isolation of winter, “Wintertime” describes Jones's longing for warmth and companionship.
4. “So Cold” by Breaking Benjamin
Song Year: 2004
The US-based rock band Breaking Benjamin wrote this track, “So Cold.”
The track is famous for spending 62 weeks on the rock charts.
It's a power ballad about heartbreak and loneliness, and the lyrics describe the narrator's cold feelings of isolation and despair after losing a loved one.
5. “Winter” by Tori Amos
Song Year: 1992
Creative genius Tori Amos wrote this piano ballad about her childhood winter memories. She reminiscences about cold days and the harsh winters growing up in North Carolina.
“Winter” was the first single by Amos' that reached the top 40 in any country. It's one of Amos' top songs and a classic example of her unique brand of piano-driven rock.
6. “The A-Team” by Ed Sheeran
Song Year: 2010
“The A-Team” is a folk ballad by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran.
It follows the story of a homeless woman avoiding the cold outdoors. Sheeran wrote the song after visiting a homeless shelter and hearing some of the stories of the lives people had been living.
The song was successful commercially, reaching number four on the UK Singles Chart and 28 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
7. “Cold Blow And The Rainy Night” by Planxty
Song Year: 1974
“Cold Blow and the Rainy Night” is a traditional Irish folk song first recorded by Planxty in 1974. It's a mournful lament for a young woman who has died, describing the story of her final moments.
The song is full of imagery of the cold and rainy night. It's a sad tune about loss, love, and loneliness.
8. “Early Morning Cold Taxi” by The Who
Song Year: 1967
“Early Morning Cold Taxi” is a song by The Who, released as the third single from their 1967 album The Who Sell Out.
It's a slow, acoustic ballad about a man taking a taxi in the chilly early morning.
He reminisces about seeing his girlfriend, who made him feel warm, and looks forward to the future when he might have a companion again.
9. “Valley Winter Song” by Fountains of Wayne
Song Year: 2003
“Valley Winter Song” is a song by Fountains of Wayne, released as the sixth single from their 2003 album Welcome Interstate Managers.
The song is a slow-paced, acoustic ballad about a man trying to cheer up his love in the snowy, dark depths of a New England winter.
Collingwood wrote “Valley Winter Song” to cope with the long, cold New England winters. The song is a reminder that even in the darkest times, there is always hope for spring.
10. “Cold Sweat” by James Brown
Song Year: 1967
“Cold Sweat” is a song by James Brown, released in 1967. It was the first single from his album Cold Sweat, and it became a number-one hit on the R&B charts.
Brown describes how his girlfriend makes him feel a cold sweat when he's with her. The tune has a driving beat and catchy lyrics, and the track is a staple of funk music.
11. “Stone Cold” by Deb Never and Kenny Beats
Song Year: 2020
“Stone Cold” is a song by American singer-songwriter Deb Never and American record producer Kenny Beats. It's a hip-hop track with elements of R&B and funk.
Never's powerful vocals describe a woman who feels cold, mistreated, and alone.
She's looking for someone who can deal with her moods and is willing to love her, despite her cold attitude.
12. “Winter” by The Cure
Song Year: 1979
“Winter” is a studio out-track by The Cure released on the deluxe edition of Three Imaginary Boys in 1979.
It's a moderately paced rock track, contrasting their typically more intense songs.
Lead singer Robert Smith waxes about feeling lonely and cold during winter as if the happy summer never existed. The singer later revealed he hated the track, but it was a hit with fans.
13. “If We Make It Through December” by Merle Haggard
Song Year: 1973
Merle Haggard, a country music singer, wrote this hit track, “If We Make It Through December.” It's a first-person narrative of a man who has been laid off from his job and is struggling to make ends meet.
He struggles to provide for his family through the cold winter month but is determined to keep going. The song is a powerful and moving ballad that speaks to the struggles of working-class Americans.
14. “A Hazy Shade of Winter” by Simon and Garfunkel
Song Year: 1966
“A Hazy Shade of Winter” is a song by American folk rock duo Simon & Garfunkel, released as a single in October 1966 and included on their 1968 album Bookends.
Paul Simon wrote the track, infusing it with a more rock-tinged sound than many of their other songs.
It hit the number 14 spot on the US charts and was a hit with fans.
15. “Winter Song” by Sara Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson
Song Year: 2008
“Winter Song” is a duet by American singer-songwriters Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson, released in 2008.
The song is a slow-paced, acoustic ballad about the power of love and friendship to help us through the cold winter months.
“Winter Song” is a beautiful and moving song that will touch your heart. It is a song about the power of love and friendship to help us through the cold weather.
16. “A Long December” by Counting Crows
Song Year: 1996
“A Long December” is by the American alternative rock band Counting Crows. It's a single off their second album, Recovering the Satellites, in 1996.
The song is slow and melodic, and the lyrics are poetic and introspective, talking about feeling cold and lonely.
17. “Winter Coat” by Paul Kelly and the Messengers
Song Year: 1991
“Winter Coat” is by Australian band Paul Kelly and the Messengers, released in 1991 as the second single from the album Comedy.
It's a slow-paced, acoustic ballad about lost love, and Kelly sings about strolling down the cold city streets with his former lover. He recalls purchasing a winter coat to keep out the cold.
18. “Looks Like A Cold, Cold Winter” by Ingrid Michaelson
Song Year: 2018
“Looks Like A Cold, Cold Winter” is a song by American singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson. It's a holiday tune, and Michaelson released it in 2018 on her deluxe edition of Songs for the Season.
Michaelson paints a picture of a cold winter season in this slow-paced, acoustic ballad. However, it ends on an uplifting note, as she reminds us of the beauty of winter and the power of love to keep us warm.
19. “Sweater Weather” by the Neighbourhood
Song Year: 2013
“Sweater Weather” by The Neighbourhood is ideal to listen to on a cold day. Released in 2010, it's an indie tune with a slow tempo, atmospheric production, and lyrics about spending time with a loved one.
The song's lyrics about the warmth of companionship, romance, and friendship can help a cold day feel warmer.
It landed the number 1 spot on the US charts, and the song is still a cult classic on platforms like Tik Tok.
20. “Cold Cold Change” by Midnight Oil
Song Year: 1979
“Cold Cold Change” is a punk rock song by Australian band Midnight Oil.
Lyrics depict the need for change in the world, and they are a call to action for people to stand up for what they believe in, ushering in a new, “cold” season like winter.
The song was successful in Australia, reaching number 31 on the Australian Kent Music Report Singles Chart.
21. “Cold” by Maroon 5 Feat. Future
Song Year: 2017
The US pop band Maroon 5 wrote “Cold,” featuring the rapper Future.
It came out on February 14, 2017, as the second single from their album Red Pill Blues, and it's a pop rock ballad with a trap beat.
“Cold” depicts a relationship that has become cold and bleak. It was a huge hit, peaking at the number six spot in the US.
22. “Snow” by Alex Lloyd
Song Year: 1999
“Snow” is a simple love ballad by Australian singer-songwriter Alex Lloyd. Released in 1997 as the third single from his debut EP, Black The Sun, the song was written by Lloyd and produced by Paul McKeown.
The poetic lyrics are complex and interpretive. Lloyd depicts a cold day and likens his lover to snow, describing their pale eyes.
23. “The Ice Is Getting Thinner” by Death Cab for Cutie
Song Year: 2008
“The Ice Is Getting Thinner” is a song by the American alternative rock band Death Cab for Cutie. From their album, Narrow Stairs, the song was written by Ben Gibbard and produced by Chris Walla.
The song is a slow-paced, acoustic ballad with a dark and somber tone. The lyrics are about a relationship that is falling apart, and the singer likens their cold relationship to thin ice that's about to break.
24. “Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground” by White Stripes
Song Year: 2002
American rock duo Meg and Jack White depict a man that feels cold when he's not near his lover in their hit track, “Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground.”
The lyrics are about a man obsessed with a woman who is not interested in him. He tries to win her admiration, but she always pushes him away, leaving him cold and isolated.
25. “Snowballed” by AC/DC
Song Year: 1981
“Snowballed” is a hard rock song with a driving beat, but the band AC/DC. It's about a man down on his luck, feeling cold and hopeless. He feels his burdens snowball and doesn't know how to stop.
The song hit number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States and was also popular internationally.
26. “Cold As Ice” by Foreigner
Song Year: 1977
“Cold As Ice” is a 1970s hit by the British-American rock band Foreigner. It landed in 1977 as the third single from their self-titled debut album, and Mick Jones and Lou Gramm wrote the tune together.
The song is a warning tune about a love who's cold as ice and how their bad behavior will backfire on them one day.
27. “I Felt The Chill Before The Winter Came” by Elvis Costello
Song Year: 2009
“I Felt the Chill Before the Winter Came” is a song by Elvis Costello, released on his 2009 album Secret, Profane & Sugarcane. The song is a slow-burning ballad with a mournful melody and lyrics about sadness and regret.
Costello sings about feeling cold, even though it's not winter, because his lover left him for another man.
28. “I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm” by Billie Holiday
Song Year: 1937
“I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm” is a classic track first written by Irving Berlin. Although Frank Sinatra also covered the tune, arguably the most popular recording is that of Billie Holiday, which she released in 1937.
The song is about feeling cold and chilly but being warm from feelings of love. Although it's not officially a Christmas song, many people play it as a holiday tune.
29. “Cold” by Rich Brian
Song Year: 2018
“Cold” is a track by Rich Brian, an Indonesian rapper. It's the second track on his 2018 album, Amen.
The song's lyrics are about reflection and emotions, and the artist discusses his path to success. Brian also brags about his accomplishments, saying even the cold of winter isn't as intense as his songwriting ability.
30. “Wintertime Love” by The Doors
Song Year: 1968
The American rock band The Doors wrote “Wintertime Love.” It came out in 1968 as the third single from Waiting for the Sun.
Performed by The Doors lead singer Jim Morrison, the song's lyrics are about a love that is forbidden or impossible.
In the lyrics, Morrison longs for the love he can never have. He sings about how he feels like it's the cold winter.
31. “Cold” by Stormzy
Song Year: 2017
The grime rapper Wiley pioneered the Eskibeat subgenre, which imitates cold, jarring sounds to give tracks a distinctive sound. “Cold” is British rapper Stormzy's take on the genre.
“Cold” is an intense, harsh track with a rapid beat and fast-moving lyrics, calling himself cold and freezing, meaning successful and talented. Stormzy released it in 2017 on his debut album Gang Signs & Prayer.
32. “Cold Hearted” by Paula Abdul
Song Year: 1989
Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Paula Abdul released “Cold Hearted” in 1989 from her debut album, Forever Your Girl.
Abdul and Elliot Wolff wrote and produced the track, which made it to the top spot on the Hot 100 charts. It was the album's third song to top the US chart.
The song is a dance-pop song with a strong beat and a catchy melody. Abdul sings about how her ex-lover has left her feeling cold and empty, and she vows never to let him hurt her again.
33. “Winter Lovin” by The Whitlams
Song Year: 1993
“Winter Lovin” by The Whitlams is a classic tune about feeling cold and lonely. However, it's juxtaposed with a fun, upbeat guitar riff and harmonic, layered vocals.
They included the track on their hit debut album, Introducing, in 1993. Tim Freedman, the band's lead singer, wrote the song, which reached number 11 on the ARIA Singles Chart.
34. “Stone Cold” by Rainbow
Song Year: 1982
The British-American rock band Rainbow wrote this hit track, “Stone Cold”. It's from their album Straight Between the Eye but dropped as a single in 1982.
The song is by Ritchie Blackmore, Roger Glover, and Joe Lynn Turner, and it is a hard rock song with a catchy melody and a powerful vocal performance from Turner.
It's about a man whose lover is cold, no matter how he tries to convince her to love him.
35. “Winter's Love” by Animal Collective
Song Year: 2004
“Winter's Love” is a song by American experimental pop band Animal Collective, released on May 31, 2004, as the third single from their fourth studio album, Sung Tongs.
It's by Avey Tare and Panda Bear, and it is a slow, acoustic ballad with a dreamy, ethereal sound. The lyrics detail a fleeting love that happens in the cold days of winter.
36. “Why Does It Always Rain on Me?” by Travis
Song Year: 1999
Winter isn't the only thing that makes it cold outside, and the Scottish rock band Travis details a heavy rain that leads the narrator feeling cold.
“Why Does It Always Rain on Me?” was conceived by their lead singer Fran Healy and became the band's biggest rock hit, reaching number one in the United Kingdom and 10 in the United States.
37. “Winter Song” by The Screaming Trees
Song Year: 1992
The American rock band Screaming Trees, an American rock band, wrote the popular song
“Winter Song.”
It came out in 1992 on their album Sweet Oblivion, and the song is about a man struggling with addiction and depression.
The lead singer Mark Lanegan sings about how the winter months are the hardest for him, and he longs for the warmth of spring.
38. “Winter” by The Rolling Stones
Song Year: 1973
“Winter” is a song by the classic rock band the Rolling Stones. The English-based group featured it on their 1973 album Goats Head Soup.
The track is about enduring a cold winter and feeling tired and worn out after the holidays and a busy season. However, the track is also about looking forward to a summer full of warmth and romantic love.
39. “Let It Go” by Idina Menzel
Song Year: 2013
“Let It Go” is a song from the 2013 Disney animated film Frozen. This song as iconic lyrics about the cold.
It's about Elsa's journey to embrace her true self, accepting her ice powers as a positive part of her life instead of something to feel shame about.
Idina Menzel sings and celebrates individuality and self-love, and the song has become an anthem for people of all ages who feel like they don't fit in.
Top Songs About the Cold, Final Thoughts
In conclusion, there are many songs about the cold, each with a unique perspective, some about love and loss and others about hope and resilience.
Whether you're enduring a chilly winter or want to remember cold days, why not put on one of these best songs about the cold?
P.S. Remember though, none of what you've learned will matter if you don't know how to get your music out there and earn from it. Want to learn how to do that? Then get our free ‘5 Steps To Profitable Youtube Music Career' ebook emailed directly to you!