how about a Winter Song about Winter Things maybe a White Winter Hymnal because we’re heading to Colder Weather

Hello, Monday peeps – sheesh! We’re already halfway through November! Only a month and a half left of this year! Wasn’t it just New Year like yesterday? Since it is Monday, that, of course, means music! This week’s theme was chosen by our very own leader, Marie at XmasDolly, who suggested that we “come up with songs about winter, cold weather sports, or snuggling up with friends. It’s just around the corner, folks!” Let’s get this winter party started!

Let’s start with this seasonal song co-written and co-sung as a duet by these two artists. Although considered by many to be a Christmas song, no explicit reference to the holiday can be found in its lyrics. It appeared on the holiday compilation album The Hotel Café Presents Winter Songs by various female artists, released in 2008 through Epic Records, and became a minor hit in Canada in 2008, reaching number 97.

Upon release in Ireland in 2011, it reached number two for two weeks. A special charity single by #twitterxmassingle was also a separate hit in Ireland alongside the original version, reaching number eight.

Prepare to be delighted, here’s Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson with “Winter Song”:

Next up, this folky ukulele ballad is the closing track of this artist’s Christmas EP from 2014, I believe. The songs were penned by the artist with her team of writers – they put together the EP in less than a week. The artist tweeted at the time:

“I love/am so proud of my talented friends! We put this EP together in under a week in my home stu (studio)! It was a long, productive slumber party.”

The Boca Raton, Florida native is used to sunny and warm Christmases (the annual temperature in her hometown is 77°F). In this song, she refuses to let the hot weather melt the magic of being with her bae over the festive season by doing wintery things such as ice skating and chilling by the fire.

Give a listen to Ariana Grande with “Winter Things”:

Next up is a cover of a song by one of my favorite acapella groups who did a wonderful job on this. The original band said about this song:

“It’s lyrically fairly meaningless. As an introduction to the record (this was intended to be the opening track on the album), we thought it would be nice to start it with a simple jam that’s focussed on singing – on the record, it starts with a tongue-in-cheek harmony thing that we hoped would make people laugh or something, but I think it just confuses them. This is my favorite song to play live, though singing it live is sometimes difficult because the lyrics are so vague. Weird how that works!”

The original intent of the song was to be like “Whistle While You Work” from Snow White – something to hum along to as you do the dishes. The words tell a more painful story about loss of innocence. He explained:

“From first grade to high school, I spent every day with the same bunch of kids. And it was weird to see how people I had known so long would change so quickly – suddenly they’re drug dealers. I hated it. How did our friendships become less important than wearing a backwards baseball cap?”

Without further ado, here’s the amazing Pentatonix covering Fleet Foxes song “White Winter Hymnal”:

Last but certainly not least, is one of my favorite cold weather songs I always love to share. The song tells the tale of a traveling musician who heads back on the road chasing his dreams. In doing so he leaves behind the woman who loves him. Later on, he starts having second thoughts and returns to her but it isn’t long before the urge to roam overtakes him again.

One of the songwriters told the story behind the song:

“There was a girl I was seeing, who lived in Kansas City. We really liked each other, but geography and timing just wasn’t working for us. She was getting pretty frustrated with the whole thing and wanted me to slow down, as far as traveling so much and all those things. I wasn’t willing to do that because we were just getting started, and I’m chasing my dreams.

I was going to see her. We were in Green Bay, Wisconsin playing a show with Little Big Town, and it was pouring down snow. We were supposed to go to Kansas City the next day for some radio thing, but the radio people canceled. Instead, we just went on to wherever we were going next. I had to call her and tell her that I wasn’t going to make it. She was not a happy camper. She let me have it. I hung up the phone, walked on the bus and wrote the chorus and the melody to the chorus.

That one’s special to all of us. It holds a spot because of what we do and being away and all those things. For those guys, I think that song rings on missing their family. That’s the beauty of art: everybody has their own take on what the song can mean. As for me, it’s a story of impossible love where geography or timing gets in the way of it, and it’s just not possible.”

Without further ado, here’s Zac Brown Band with “Colder Weather”:

That’s a wrap for this week – have a great Monday! See you on the dance floor!

Now, onto the particulars of Monday’s Music Move’s Me:

I have the supreme honor and privilege of being a co-host with the inimitable Xmas Dolly and our musical cohort, the awesome Cathy from Curious as a CAThy, and Alana of Ramblin’ with AM!

Want to join in the fun? It’s easy – just find a tune that rocks your boat, post it and link up – don’t forget to grab Xmas Dolly…er, um, I mean her button…over at her place here. Check out Xmas Dolly’s sidebar for the random themes we sport each week – and you can always ask for a specific theme of music you like, too. Check out the other music lovahs and let’s jam!

Want to join in the fun? It’s easy – just find a tune that rocks your boat, post it and link up – don’t forget to grab Xmas Dolly…er, um, I mean her button…over at her place here. Check out Xmas Dolly’s sidebar for the random themes we sport each week – and you can always ask for a specific theme of music you like, too. Check out the other music lovahs and let’s jam!