Music has been always an important part of my life. While my (forced) early attempts in succeeding as a musician came to a sudden end due to priorities beyond playing the piano as a child, my interest in music had just started to develop.
I generally enjoy listening to songs that are slow and melodic. While my wife, who usually writes for this blog, tells me that this particular taste in music is terribly depressing, I don’t quite agree with her. I believe that sorrowful, emotional songs can also offer a wave of warmth and positivity, which can help you find comfort, especially on cold winter days.
With that in mind I created a playlist of Ten Songs To Keep You Warm This Winter. While most of the following songs have absolutely no connection with winter whatsoever, their warm and spine-tingling feel will put you in the mood for a cold winter night, best enjoyed in front of an open fireplace and with a cup of hot mulled wine.
1. Bon Iver – Blood Bank (2009)
Initially planned for the debut studio album, For Emma, Forever Ago, of the singer-songwriter project, Bon Iver, by Wisconsin born Justin Vernon, “Blood Bank” found its release years later on the 2009 follow up EP by the same name. The song tells the mysterious story of a man and woman meeting in a literal blood bank before getting caught in a snow storm. While the lyrics can be interpreted in various ways, the song is a beautiful example of how moving and emotional music can be.
2. The National – I Need My Girl (2013)
“I Need My Girl” found its way into the public’s ear on the sixth studio album by the American alternative-rock band, The National. The haunting love song starts with an addictive guitar picking intro, followed by frontman Matt Berninger singing about missing his wife and daughter in his trademark Baritone voice. “I Need My Girl” captures that desperation and devotion unlike any other song.
3. ST. SOUTH – Slacks (2014)
ST. SOUTH is the electro-folk project by Australian singer-songwriter Olivia Gavranich. A little different from the other songs on this list, “Slacks” follows a more electronic beat. The song tells the story of a girl freeing herself from a toxic relationship and features many layers of delicate, soothing tunes accompanied by the singers beautiful, vulnerable vocals.
4. Lord Huron – The Night We Met (2015)
Released on the 2015 second studio album, Strange Trails, by the Los Angelos based indie-rock band, Lord Huron, the song found international fame after being featured in the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why. With poetic lyrics, “The Night We Met” tells the story of a broken relationship and the longing for past better times. The song creates a wonderful, warm feeling of nostalgia which fits perfectly with the cold winter time.
5. José González – Heartbeats (2003)
The song “Hearbeats,” initially an electro-pop gem by Swedish duo The Knive, was covered by Swedish singer-songwriter José González using only his soothing voice accompanied by an acoustic guitar. The cover found its release on his 2003 debut studio album Veneer. While the deeper meaning of this enchanting song remains a secret, it is believed that it tells the story of the attraction between two people who aren’t supposed to be with each other.
6. Daughter – Still (2013)
Telling the story of two lovers who, without wanting to admit it, drift slowly apart, “Still” was released on the debut album, If You Leave, by the English indie-folk band, Daughter. Front-woman Elena Tonra draws the listener directly into this emotional song with her warm, intoxicating voice that is filled with so much sadness and pain it almost makes you cry — in a delightful way.
7. Bat For Lashes – Laura (2012)
Bat For Lashes is musical appellation for Natasha Khan, an English singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. The slow, piano and cello heavy ballad, “Laura,” tells the story of a forlorn friend most of us have know: a person lost in a lifestyle of parties while everyone else has settled down around them. The song is featured on Bat For Lashes’ third studio album The Haunted Man, which was released in 2016.
8. Rosi Golan feat. William Fitzsimmons – Hazy (2008)
This beautiful duet was released on Israel-born indie-songwriter Rosi Golan’s 2008 album of the name, The Drifter and the Gypsy, and features another talented musician, William Fitzsimmons. The singers’ subtle voices in “Hazy” can only be described as a perfect match in this touching song about love, friendship and intimacy in a relationship.
9. Dear Reader – Great White Bear (2009)
The indie-pop band Dear Reader, released its first studio album Replace Why with Funny in 2009. Initially consisting of two people, Dear Reader is now the solo project of South-African singer-songwriter Cherilyn MacNeil. “The Great White Bear” tells us, in beautiful metaphors, how the love between two people can develop despite the difficult circumstances which may stand in its way.
10. Horse Feathers – In Our Blood (2006)
“In Our Blood,” by the American Indie-folk band Horse Feathers, was released on their debut album Words Are Dead in 2006. Justin Ringle’s characteristic whispering, near-falsetto voice is accompanied by guitar, cello and viola in this beautiful song about the darker side of the world and human nature, as well as the possibility to still connect with each other.
Thank you all for reading; I hope you enjoy my playlist! If you have any recommendations or comments feel free to let me know. You can also follow me on instagram @christobeljames.
Listen to the whole playlist on Spotify via the following link: Ten Songs To Keep You Warm This Winter.
