How to curate the perfect winter playlist

As the days begin to shorten and the frost settles in, the winter months provide the perfect opportunity to rest and unwind from your busy year! Whether you’re sipping hot chocolate, watching a festive film, or seeing the first drops of snow for the year, the right music can transform the cold, bitter nights into something worth remembering. Nostalgic classics and holiday hits are essential in crafting the perfect playlist to encapsulate all these precious moments this time of year. Hopefully, these songs can guide you into making your own compilation that captures the emotions felt during this season.

‘Fairytale of New York’ by The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl

The perfect winter playlist must begin with a Christmas song! The slurred vocals delivered by Shaun MacGowan, intertwined with MacColl’s impactful voice create an authentic vibe. This embodies the feelings of nostalgia and heartbreak that make it different from many Christmas songs that have been released over the years. This makes it an essential song to add to any winter playlist – “The bells were ringing out for Christmas day!”

‘The Night We Met’ by Lord Huron

This song describes the love and loss felt by those departing from an impactful relationship. It successfully captures the feeling of being haunted by someone you long to return to (“I don’t know what I’m supposed to do, haunted by the ghost of you”), which is especially heightened during the colder months – a time often credited in reminiscing over the year you have experienced. The emotions that arise as a result often lead to this song being included in many winter playlists.

‘Sweater Weather’ by The Neighbourhood

This song captures the intimacy felt within relationships, juxtaposing the warmth of the summer with the cold that is felt during the winter. The repeated sounds of the drums and guitar throughout the song encapsulate this, embodying the frosty feelings experienced during winter. Furthermore, the atmosphere of this song through its themes captures the winter aesthetic of cosy clothing and the importance of human connections in a time of darker evenings, making it an essential for any playlist attempting to create similar vibes!

‘O Children’ by Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds

Harry Potter fans know why this song deserves to be in any winter playlist. The scene between Harry and Hermione, dancing in the tent just before the snow starts to fall, perfectly captures the wintery months. Over the years, the song has been given many different meanings, both political and ethical; however, it is ultimately about the impact of love and loss in a time of vulnerability. This is a sign to enjoy the season with those you love, grab the popcorn, and rewatch all the Harry Potter movies back-to-back!

‘Back to December’ by Taylor Swift

Is it a playlist without a hint of Taylor echoing throughout? This song conveys the powerful emotions that one feels after the ending of a loving relationship, and the longing to go back to what it once was. The connection to December earned it a spot on this playlist, embodying the emotional connections made during the cold, winter months.

‘This December’ by Ricky Montgomery

Montgomery discusses the seasonal depression that occurs this time of year, which is important to remember due to how many people experience the same problem during winter. The dark nights and the limited sunlight leaves a lasting impact on people during the cold months, and this song reinforces the emptiness that many often feel. Remember you are not alone in this! Spend some time with loved ones and do things you enjoy, whether that be reading a good book, listening to music, or going out, make sure you do the things you love.

‘The A Team’ by Ed Sheeran

This song depicts the themes of struggle and survival that are heightened during the winter months, when the darker evenings seem like warmth is out of reach. The melancholic atmosphere created through the acoustic tones captures the raw emotions felt during the cold (“It’s too cold outside for angels to fly”). Despite ‘The A Team’ not directly being about winter, the imagery created within the song makes it fitting for any winter playlist.

‘Chasing Cars’ by Snow Patrol

Snow Patrol successfully capture the sense of contemplation experienced during winter in ‘Chasing Cars’. The vulnerability felt through the minimalistic structure of the quiet guitar and the increasingly powerful vocals encapsulate the beauty of winter and allow the listener to reflect on the loneliness that can arise during the cold months. This song is perfect for those wanting to feel the quieter moments of the season, making it an essential song to listen to this time of year.

‘Driving Home for Christmas’ by Chris Rea

When creating your winter playlist, it is essential to not only begin with a Christmas song, but to end it with one too! ‘Driving Home for Christmas’ captures the warmth of returning home for the festive season, which is something many students look forward to. The smooth vibe of the song makes it the perfect addition to any winter soundtrack and evokes a feeling of excitement and belonging that arises with reunions and traditions. The timeless appeal of this song sets the Christmas mood in motion – get the cocoa ready!