Western Music Winter Songs Ranking [2026]

The A teamEd Sheeran36rank/position

Ed Sheeran – The A Team [Official Music Video]

Since the 2010s, Ed Sheeran has been one of the most successful singer-songwriters, enjoying exceptional name recognition here in Japan as well.

With each album release, he has broadened his musical horizons and taken on various genres.

Still, many people likely feel nostalgic for the simple, heartfelt songwriting of his debut and for Ed as a troubadour who observes everyday people.

His memorable debut single, The A Team, is a gem distinguished by its folky sound, beautiful melody, and lyrics about a woman he reportedly met in real life.

Ed’s talent for vividly depicting the lives of people far removed from glamorous lifestyles—and expressing their stories lyrically—was already undeniable at this point.

On a winter afternoon, I can imagine driving through the cold air while quietly humming along to this song.

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KOH-1

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I BetCiara37rank/position

Ciara – I Bet

A downtempo track released in 2015 by Ciara.

Harmony Samuels, who has worked on tracks for artists like Ariana Grande, Maroon 5, and Chris Brown, was involved in the production.

It was inspired by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s 1877 piece “Swan Lake, Op.

20 – Suite, I.

Scene (Swan Theme).”

Sunday MorningMaroon 538rank/position

Maroon 5 – Sunday Morning

It’s a pretty refreshing song, with lyrics about lazing around in bed with your girlfriend on a rainy Sunday morning.

If you imagine replacing the bed with a kotatsu, it might feel like a very fitting winter song for Japanese listeners.

How about enjoying some stylish Maroon 5 by the kotatsu this winter?

Merry ChristmasEd Sheeran & Elton John39rank/position

Ed Sheeran & Elton John – Merry Christmas [Official Video]

A collaboration song by the globally popular Ed Sheeran and Elton John.

Released in December 2021, this track celebrates the warmth and love of Christmas.

It carries a hopeful message about the bonds with family and friends, and about overcoming past pain to look toward the future.

The music video is packed with homages to famous Christmas songs of the past, offering fans plenty of delightful Easter eggs.

It topped the charts in many countries, including the UK and Austria, and has received Gold and Platinum certifications.

It’s a perfect song for creating winter memories—whether at a Christmas party or spending time with family.

Fifteen Feet of Pure White SnowNick Cave & The Bad Seeds40rank/position

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Fifteen Feet Of Pure White Snow

For those who want to listen to winter-themed songs that aren’t just the well-known Christmas tunes or typical winter tracks, I highly recommend this one.

Let me introduce “Fifteen Feet of Pure White Snow,” a song by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds—led by Australia’s own ingenious maverick, Nick Cave—from their 2001 album No More Shall We Part, which was also released as the second single.

Just from the title, it sounds somewhat romantic, and it is indeed a beautiful piece where Nick’s signature blend of dandyism and poetry unfolds over a restrained performance.

But I urge you to read the lyrics and see what kind of story is actually being told.

The music video is also a must-see: set in a building once used by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Kazakhstan, it features people dancing—including Pulp’s Jarvis Cocker—creating a truly one-of-a-kind world.

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KOH-1

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Santa Doesn’t Know You Like I DoSabrina Carpenter41rank/position

Sabrina Carpenter – santa doesn’t know you like i do (Official Video)

Sabrina Carpenter is active not only as an actress but also as a singer.

Because she’s extremely beautiful, people tend to focus on her looks, but she actually releases solid R&B.

Her new song is Santa Doesn’t Know You Like I Do.

As the title suggests, it’s a Christmas-themed piece that depicts a close-knit couple during the holiday season.

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Ryo

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Coldest WinterKanye West42rank/position

Kanye West – Coldest Winter

Coldest Winter is the winter song included on Kanye West’s 2008 album 808s & Heartbreak; West is a regular at the Grammy Awards.

The album sold over 1.7 million copies and reached number one on the US Billboard 200.

The lyrics of Coldest Winter, which foreshadow a breakup, are somewhat melancholy, and the dark-sounding chords create a lonely atmosphere.

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Hamada Takuya

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