Driving in the winter can be a great experience despite or because of the cold and the snow.
There is nothing better than taking a relaxing drive in the frosty winter weather, but people tend to avoid it due to their car getting iced up in the cold. However, this could very easily be avoided with the help of a car cover, as car covers prevent your windows from becoming frosted so once you take it off you can hit the road. If you look online, you will be able to find a range of car covers that fit any car perfectly.
Once you have one of these, you will feel much more inclined to go for a nice winter drive. With any drive, you will need a fantastic playlist to enjoy and set the mood. Here are the 13 best driving songs for winter that you need to add to your playlist next time you go for a drive.
13. I Felt the Chill Before the Winter Came by Elvis Costello
A great melancholic country classic, if you’re one of those winter blues victims who embrace the cold and its heaviness. Be the sad cowboy you dream to be as you drive to work or go on a winter road trip.
12. Cardigan by Taylor Swift
If you enjoy smoother vibes and enjoy a warm voice guiding you on the road, you can’t go wrong with Taylor Swift. So, embrace the calm and comforting energy of Taylor Swift’s music and have yourself a chill winter drive.
11. Montreal by Penelope Scott
The perfect song for those who like upbeat yet somewhat dark music. Penelope Scott’s style is a great match if you need a pick me up in an old beat-up car in the cold weather. Her relatable lyricism and warm instrumentation serve as a nice audio blanket when your heater is acting up.
10. Let’s Stay Together by Al Green
Sometimes all you need to stay warm in the heart of winter is soulful music. Al Green’s classic song which appeared in Pulp fiction is a great pic for a lovely ride with your partner and to keep your mood mellow in possible snow jams.
9. A Winter’s Tale by Queen
Are you a winter lover? Do you want to celebrate the first snowfall of the year epically? Well, Queen has got you covered, join Freddie Mercury in celebrating the beauty of the cold season.
8. Lonely This Christmas by MUD
There’s no shame in wallowing in winter blues, especially if you’re no fan of the Christmas season. So let this throwback song accompany you during lonely drives if you need to just indulge in a little melancholy.
7. Winter Wonderland by Elvis Presley
Speaking of throwbacks, there’s no shame in indulging in the inhibited holiday spirit. A winter classic good for all the seasons even before and after Christmas time. With Elvis’s recent return to the silver screen, it’s the perfect time to break out his discography.
6. All I Want for Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey
This one is for real Christmas fans; it is the biggest Christmas earworm in the world. Despite this song being the bane of many radio listeners, if you love Christmas this is an inevitable classic that will get you fired up for the holiday season.
5. Winter by The Rolling Stones
This one is aptly titled for this list. Maybe you are more of a rocker at heart and need to be serenaded by Mick Jagger on your drive. So, while this is not the most upbeat and rocking song in their catalog it is the most wintery.
4. Snow (Hey Oh) by The Red Hot Chili Peppers
If you need a classic karaoke hit for car sing-alongs that’s tangentially winter related, you can’t go wrong with this radio hit from the Chili Peppers. It’s a great song pick if you feel like rocking out casually in your car.
3. California Dreamin’ by The Mamas & The Papas
Not only is it a catchy classic, but it’s also the perfect song for those melancholically dreaming of warmer days and Californian beaches. Do be warned that the chances of you singing along are high.
2. Kokomo by The Beach Boys
For all those drivers who loathe the very idea of snow and need a reminder of warmer times, this Beach Boys classic will be an instant change of mood. Whether it be Aruba, Jamaica, or Key Largo, you will think of palm trees instead of snowplows.
1. A Hazy Shade of Winter by Simon & Garfunkel
A song about not living with regrets with a metaphorical winter theme. This upbeat classic will fill your heart with sunshine as you make your way through snowy landscapes. You can even add it to your playlist in the fall and it will keep its effect well into the coldest days of winter.
Enjoy your winter drive and explore all these artists’ discographies if you need to make longer playlists for longer drives! While it can be a challenge, music makes driving in the winter much more enjoyable so find your perfect soundtrack and enjoy the road!
Peter Williams is a graduate of B.A Arts and Culture from the University of Technology Sydney. Peter is very much interested in cultural practices around the world including music, history, languages, literature, religion and social structures.