Top 65 Songs About Snow

We all have different views about snow. Some love it; others hate it. Some see it as a picture postcard outside the window, others as a total hindrance that grinds everything to a standstill.

But, whatever we think, there is a certain beauty to it when it is fresh on the ground. It means winter, and that usually means Christmas depending on where you are in the world.

It has inspired songwriters to wax lyrical about it. And that is what I am also going to do; consider how they have approached the subject as I take you through the best songs about snow, starting with the classic…

Top 65 Songs About Snow

1

Let It, Snow! Let It, Snow! Let It, Snow! by Dean Martin

Just about everybody and their dog has recorded this over the years. But, I have gone for Dean Martin’s version. There is something about his delivery of the song that says a glass of wine in front of a log fire at Christmas.

Its origin goes back to the end of the Second World War. It was written by Sammy Cahn and Julie Styne and first published in 1945. Interestingly, it was written during a heat wave in Los Angeles. The writers were imagining and hoping for some cooler weather, I should think.

A Holiday Song?

It has always been considered a song for the holidays. Furthermore, at Christmas time, you will hear it being played just about everywhere. 

However, the lyrics make no mention of Christmas or any holiday at all. It has just been assumed from its winter, snowy theme that that is what it is referring to.

The Dean Martin version reached #27 in the UK and #8 in America. That out-performed even the Sinatra version in both countries, which is quite surprising. A great song about snow and probably no better place to start.

2

Sleigh Ride by Leroy Anderson

Another song that takes us back in time, specifically 1948. It was written by Leroy Anderson and has become a classic Christmas song.

When you are looking for songs for a holiday, they do need to make you feel happy. That is one of the reasons this song has become so loved.

Another Heat Wave

This is another song that was written during a heat wave, or at least, started during one. It was finally finished in February of 1948. Originally, it was a purely instrumental piece. The lyrics were added in 1950 by Mitchell Parish.

It has had plenty of covers. The Ronettes did a version that, after several re-issues over the years, became their second biggest selling single after “Be My Baby.” Also, Ella Fitzgerald from 1960. Her version was used in the film “Elf.”

One of those songs that you hear that needs no explanations at all; it just says snow and Christmas.

3

Purple Snowflakes by Marvin Gaye

No, you’re not imagining things. This was an attempt at a “psychedelic” Christmas song that was not what you might call Marvin Gaye’s finest hour. It was originally released in 1965 and later included in several Motown Christmas compilations, one being The Ultimate Motown Christmas Collection.

It does have some nice things about the way it is recorded. A nice piano riff is supported by the use of sleigh bells. And, of course, Marvin Gaye’s vocal gives it a heartwarming sound. 

The song is about how nice it is to have your partner with you during those long cold winter nights. An unusual choice for songs about snow, but still one that is quite enjoyable.

4

Frosty the Snowman by Ray Conniff

This is another one of those songs that conjure up Christmas and snowy days as soon as you hear it. Written by Walter Rollins and Steve Nelson in 1950 and first released by Gene Autrey in the same year.

A great kids’ story… 

It is about Frosty, a snowman who one day comes to life. He has a lot of fun before he finally melts away. Once again, it is a Christmas song about snow that never mentions the holiday.

Ray Conniff and his orchestra were well-known throughout the late 50s and early 60s. And this song is one he was well-known for. It was released in 1959 and included on a compilation Christmas album, Christmas with Conniff.

The song had some notable covers. One of which was “Frosty The Snowman” by Nat ‘King’ Cole. The Jackson 5 included a version for a Christmas compilation album, Jackson 5 Christmas Album. Happy, upbeat, and great to sing along to, it is the perfect Christmas song to get everyone in the mood.

5

Winter Wonderland by Ella Fitzgerald

Let’s go back to the great Ella Fitzgerald and this song that was written in 1934 by Richard Smith and Felix Bernard. Fitzgerald also recorded a jazz version and included it on a Christmas compilation, Ella Wishes You A Swinging Christmas.

This has to be one of the most covered songs in history, with over 200 versions. Those covers include offerings by Johnny Mathis, Darlene Love, and Tony Bennett.

The song originally told the story of a couple’s romance in the winter. New lyrics were written in parts of the song to make it more relevant to children. Some artists, like Johnny Mathis, recorded both versions.

The Beauty Of What You See

I spoke in the introduction about how some people see the snow as a hindrance. Indeed, it can be in some circumstances. But, this song encourages you to see the beauty of it. 

Snowflakes falling around, not one the same as another, is a wondrous thing and a miracle of nature. It might be cold, but just take a moment to do as the song asks.

6

Baby, It’s Cold Outside

This is a song that was written by Frank Loesser in 1944. It is usually sung a little tongue-in-cheek, almost a comedy song in a duet formation. Once again, a song that, whilst it does not mention snow or Christmas, is always associated with it.

It is almost what you might call a conversational song. The two singers answering each other. One thinks they should leave; the other suggests it is too cold to go out.

So Many Covers

The names of the artists who have covered this song read like a who’s who of some of the greats of the 40s, 50s, and 60s.

Bing Crosby, Doris Day, Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Dean Martin, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, and Ray Charles. Even singers like James Taylor, Willie Nelson, CeeLo Green, Kelly Clarkson, and Tom Jones. The list is almost never-ending, with over 400 covers of the song to date.

One of those songs that you just never get tired of hearing. It conjures up images of cold nights and warm evenings around the fire.

7

Goodbye England (Covered In Snow) by Laura Marling

Laura Marling is a British singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist who has made her name writing her music about womanhood and relationships. This was a track released in 2009 from her second album; I Speak Because I Can.

A song with a certain nostalgia to it… 

No matter where we are in the world, we all have a fondness for the place we were born and grew up. In Laura’s case, that was Finchampstead in Berkshire, near Reading, just west of London.

Her sisters are all singers, which isn’t surprising as her father owned a recording studio. It was him that introduced her to folk music.

She reminisces in this song and remembers her village at home covered with snow and how beautiful it looked. That was the inspiration behind the song. Not a commercial success at all, but a song that will strike a chord with many who are far from home.

8

50 Words for Snow by Kate Bush

There is something almost predictable with Kate Bush writing a song about snow. I mentioned earlier that whilst there are millions of snowflakes that fall, each one is unique and different from the others. One of the miracles and beauties of the natural world. 

So, given Kate Bush and her love and appreciation for natural things, you might expect her to write something on the subject. But this isn’t a song about falling snow and cozy nights around the fire.

A Myth And A Legend

There is this myth that the language of the Inuit contains 50 words for snow. The Inuit are indigenous peoples that inhabit Siberia and Alaska. The word Inuit is an exonym meaning that the people do not use it to describe themselves.

It isn’t true that they do have 50 words. But, given they live their lives every day surrounded by the stuff, you shouldn’t be surprised if they did.

Not All Are Real

She has included some of their translated words, but where it falls short of 50, she has made a few up.

An interesting drum rhythm opens the song, which lasts nearly eight minutes. It is almost impossible to describe as a song. It features some of the words interspersed with some Kate vocals. 

Of course, it is certainly not going to be to everyone’s taste. But again, it emphasizes the unique flavor of the genius of Kate Bush.

9

Song for a Winter’s Night by Gordon Lightfoot

As we move towards the end of this list of songs about snow, as usual, I have listed some of my personal favorites. This has got to be one. 

Great songwriter, great performer; someone once said Gordon Lightfoot is Bob Dylan with a voice. Slightly unfair on the genius that is Mr. Zimmerman, but I know what they meant.

He wrote this song in 1967 and included it on his album, The Way I Feel. It is one of those songs that tend to stick in your mind long after it has finished playing. It has a beautiful sentiment and feeling that very few songwriters can manage to create. 

One standout cover…

It has been covered by a few others, but only one singer has even come close to recreating the atmosphere of the Lightfoot version. That is Kenny Rankin. He included it on his stunning first album, Mind-Dusters, from 1968.

A wonderful song. Just find somewhere quiet, close your eyes, and listen. Wherever you are, he takes you away to a cold winter’s night and missing someone you care for.

10

A Hazy Shade Of Winter by Simon and Garfunkel

Perhaps you have a favorite Simon and Garfunkel album. There are plenty to choose from. For me, Bookends was always their finest. There was something special about it and the way some of the songs dovetailed together.

“A Hazy Shade of Winter” was on that album. It had been released as a single first and reached #13 on the American chart. In 1991, it reached #30 on the UK singles chart.

It had originally been recorded two years before while they were putting together their album, Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme.

The song itself goes back even further… 

To Simon’s days in England in 1965 and before. It talks of the changes in the seasons and the transformation between autumn and winter, using a “patch of snow on the ground” as its descriptor.

Of course, being a Paul Simon song, it has another meaning that goes far deeper. He talks of his life in England, thus unfulfilled, and his “manuscripts of unpublished rhyme.” A very good song from a great album.

11

A Winter’s Tale by The Moody Blues

And so, to the final choice. The Moody Blues were the masters of the themed album. Very few have even gone close to consistently producing such quality over so many years.

It is also not often that they include on their albums songs written by other composers. But, such is the case with this track taken from their album, December.

The song was written by Mike Batt from “The Wombles.” With him was Tim Rice, the other half of most of the work from Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s early musicals. It was first released as a single by David Essex in 1982. The Moody Blues used it on the album in 2003.

A Song About Loss

It is a song with a sad feeling. He sings about the nights being so much colder now a lover has gone. He can’t even follow her because the snow has covered their footprints. So, he is resigned to the loneliness and the cold until it passes.

12

Snow Globe by The Orb

13

Walking in the Air by Nightwish

14

Snowblind by Black Sabbath

15

Snow in California by Ariana Grande

16

The Snow Is Dancing by Claude Debussy

17

Snowflakes Are Dancing by Tomita

18

Snowball by Devo

19

The Snowman by Howard Blake

20

Winter Birds by Ray LaMontagne

21

Snow Angels by Aimee Mann

22

Snow and Lights by Explosions in the Sky

23

Snowflakes by Tom Chapin

24

Winter Coat by Sea Wolf

25

Snow on the Sahara by Anggun

26

Blizzard by Fauve

27

Snow Queen by Jefferson Starship

28

Snowy Nights by The Frights

29

Snow on the Pines by Yonder Mountain String Band

30

Snowdrift on a Dead End Street by Tilly and the Wall

31

Snowfall by Tony Bennett

32

Snowy White River by Of Montreal

33

First Snowfall by Cocteau Twins

34

Snowbirds and Townies by Further Seems Forever

35

Snowing in My Heart by Harry Nilsson

36

Snow is Falling in Manhattan by Regina Spektor

37

Snowfalls by t.A.T.u.

38

White Winter Hymnal by Fleet Foxes

39

Snow on High Ground by Manfred Mann’s Earth Band

40

Snow Falls in Reverse by Kaki King

41

Winterlong by Pixies

42

The Snow by Coil

43

Winterlude by Bob Dylan

44

A Snowflake Fell (And It Felt Like a Kiss) by Glasvegas

45

Flakes by Frank Zappa

46

Blizzard of ’96 by Old 97’s

47

The Snow Is Deep on the Ground by Duke Ellington

48

Hazy Shade of Winter by The Bangles

49

Snow Day by Bleachers

50

Snow Cherries from France by Tori Amos

51

Snow (Hey Oh) by Red Hot Chili Peppers

52

Winter’s Love by Animal Collective

53

Christmas Lights by Coldplay

54

Winter Song by Sara Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson

55

The Snow It Melts The Soonest by Sting

56

Winter Solstice by Sufjan Stevens

57

Wintertime by Norah Jones

58

Snowflake by Jim Reeves

59

Winter Lady by Leonard Cohen

60

A Winter’s Tale by Queen

61

No Snow on the Mountain by Neko Case

62

Winter’s Coming Soon by Blitzen Trapper

63

Winter Light by Tim Finn

63

Snowdrift Waltz by Pat Metheny

64

Winter Prayer by Jeff Buckley

65

Winter Prayer by Jeff Buckley

Looking For Songs With Interesting Themes?

We have you covered. Take a look at our detailed articles on the Top 15 Songs About Food, the Top 14 Songs About Flying and Planes, the Top 11 Songs About Time, the Best Songs About Cars, the Best Songs about Friday, and the Best Songs About Ice Cream for more great song selections.

Songs About Snow – Conclusion

Snow can be a subject of joy and happiness, of Christmas, and all it brings. But, it can also be reflective and full of longing and sadness. It is interesting how various composers have used the subject.

Early on, snow was used in a positive way depicting warmth and happiness. But, it later came to represent other emotions. These have been just a few of the best songs with a winter theme.

Until next time, happy listening.