While Christmas has long passed, the enchantment and bitter cold of winter remains. In honor of the snow flurries that took place this past week, I put together a brief list of songs that fit the mood outside perfectly, whether you're curled up warm by the fire or shivering in the cold. It also ended up being a mini-reflection on my thoughts on winter. Without further ado, let's begin!
1. "Love Song" - Big Bang
They may hate this love song, but I love it!
Yes, I am starting out with a K-pop song. The reason I'm starting with this song is because, for whatever reason, this is the first song that pops into my head when I walk out on a snowy day. Plus, the music video is absolutely lovely and classy. If you're dismissing this song because it's in a foreign language, you're missing out on a lovely melody, blending haunting and hopeful in a powerful way. Below is a link to a video with English subtitles if you're curious to know the meaning.
The loneliness and hopefulness portrayed in this song really captures the essence of winter for me. The cold and dead vegetation around can make us feel so alone, yet that first bird song reminds us of the promise that spring is around the corner.
2. "Let it Go (Disney's "Frozen") Vivaldi's Winter" - ThePianoGuys
While the Frozen hubbub seems to have (finally!) died down, there is no doubt it will remain a staple of winters to come. Same with Vivaldi's masterpiece "Winter" from his violin concertos, The Four Seasons. ThePianoGuys do what they do best, combining these two songs into an instrumental masterpiece, perfect for listening to while curled up by the fireplace, cup of hot chocolate at hand.
3. "2000 Decembers Ago" - Joy Williams
This was a Christmas song I couldn't resist putting in here, even though Christmas has long passed this winter. It's a beautiful song that Joy Williams's voice fits so well, and it really captures the awe and wonder that Jesus Christ came to earth as a child.
4. "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" - Randall Thompson
Following in the line of haunting melodies is a choral rendition of one of Robert Frost's poems. I first heard it performed by my high school's choir during one of their winter concerts, and it has stuck with me ever since. This song definitely captures the more ethereal and mysterious side of a winter snow.
5. "Cruel Fairy Tale" - IU
Speaking of ethereal, "Cruel Fairy Tale" by the renowned K-pop artist IU also maintains an air of enchantment. Underneath its more airy surface lingers a harsh, dark side, as captured by the grating, mechanical sound that repeats throughout the song and its haunting refrain:
Nothing really matters
Nothing lasts forever
This echoes for me that underneath winter's beauty, the falling snow and icicles in the trees, lies an ugly reality. Just as the fall leaves and the flowers of spring wither up and die, so too we must past away. Is there more to life than simply withering away?
6. "SHINY SHINY" - DWB feat. Nirgilis
In answer to the last question, yes, yes there is. This song seems to capture the essence of winter to me, which mirrors better than any other of the seasons the reality of human nature. This Japanese song wonderfully portrays that while life is harsh, full of loneliness and suffering, there is much beauty in it too. While the winter may be harsh, it often encourages us to bond together as people to get through it. And isn't that as beautiful as the stars in a clear winter sky?
