[2026 Edition] A Collection of English-Language Love Songs to Listen to in Winter

Useless (Without You)Elmiene

Elmiene – Useless (Without You) (Visualiser)

Have you heard of Elmiene, the rising talent turning heads in UK soul? With Sudanese roots and an upbringing in Oxford, he placed fifth in the BBC’s Sound of 2024 and went on to be nominated for the BRIT Awards’ Rising Star in 2025.

The track that opens his mixtape Heat The Streets, released in September 2025, is a slow-burn anthem portraying dependency and vulnerability in a relationship, with repeated confessions of being powerless without you.

His vocals—delicate vibrato and breathwork drawn from gospel—stand out against the minimal production, seeping gently into the listener’s heart.

On a winter night, as you drive and reflect on someone dear, this wistful and beautiful ballad will be the perfect companion.

DecemberGyakie

Gyakie – December (Official Visualizer)

Gyakie is a new-generation Afro-fusion singer from Ghana.

The daughter of a renowned highlife musician, she began her music career in 2019 and gained international attention with Forever from her 2020 EP, Seed.

Released in April 2024, this track captures the liminal sway between endings and beginnings that the month of December symbolizes, carried by Afrobeats rhythms.

Her sweet, crystalline vocals delicately portray emotions that shift with the changing seasons.

Serving as a bridge to her debut album, After Midnight, slated for release in 2025, the song was produced following the success of her previous single, Rent Free.

It’s a highly recommended listen for those who want to bask in year-end sentiment or welcome December to the pulse of African rhythms.

Back to DecemberTaylor Swift

Taylor Swift – Back To December

Taylor Swift is an artist who’s hugely popular in Japan as well.

Even people who don’t listen to much Western music generally know who she is.

She originally started out as a straight-up country musician, but as her popularity grew, she gradually began incorporating more hit-friendly pop elements and trending sounds.

“Back to December” is a song created during her transition from country to pop.

While it’s themed around winter, it’s crafted as a bright, not gloomy, track.

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Chilly WinterMaroon 5

Chilly Winter (Demo)

Maroon 5 is a globally renowned band with total sales exceeding 110 million records.

They’re also popular in Japan, with long-running hits like “Sugar” and “Moves Like Jagger ft.

Christina Aguilera.” While their sound blends various genres—including alternative rock, pop rock, and R&B—their early work was primarily alternative rock.

The song “Chilly Winter,” released in 2002, is performed in the neo-soul style, a genre that was at its peak at the time.

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So SickNe-Yo

Ne-Yo – So Sick (Official Music Video)

Ne-Yo’s classic song “So Sick.” Released in 2006, it became a worldwide hit.

You could even say it’s one of his signature tracks.

While it’s not explicitly themed around winter, as you can see from the music video, it’s crafted to evoke images of winter, snow, and cold.

The melody is classic R&B, letting you savor that quality 2000s R&B sound.

Since the gap between the melody and the lyrics isn’t that wide, if you’re heartbroken and spending Christmas alone, definitely give it a listen!

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