Winter Playlist 2024

For this winter playlist I have some slower songs because who doesn’t enjoy a slower, more deeply moving song when it’s cold out? I have Nathaniel Rateliff’s song Time Stands which the video was filmed during Covid and reminds me of when times were slow and quieter.

Not quite slow, but extremely moving, and one of my favorite Elvis performances ever is If I Can Dream. It’s a song about dreaming of a better time “and a place where all my brothers walk hand in hand”. A song that still rings true today.

But don’t worry, there’s some upbeat hits on the playlist too like Niall Horan’s Nice To Meet ‘Ya. I wasn’t a One Direction fan, cough cough (I had already aged out of boy bands) but him as a solo artist I can definitely get behind.

I hope you find a new song or artist you haven’t heard of before or reconnect with a song you like but forgot about. Remember, music keeps you spirited. ;)

COMPLAINER - COLD WAR KIDS

This song was written as a call to arms to do something about the world’s problems rather than just sit back and complain. Don’t worry, we’re not going political over here, but it’s a great song, with some really inspiring lyrics.

JUST A LITTLE WHILE - THE 502s

This song instantly puts me in a happy, feel good mood. This gives me young summer love vibes.

IF I CAN DREAM - ELVIS

One of my most favorite Elvis songs. It was written two months after Martin Luther King’s assassination and just after Robert Kennedy’s assassination. He filmed this during his ‘68 Comeback Special.

If you know me on a personal level you know my Elvis appreciation started when my Dad would take me every year to Memphis in August so he could ref rugby at the Elvis 7’s tournament. He’d have spray painted his cleats blue, players would have painted large black side burns with their gold sunglasses. All while playing rugby in the dead of summer in the south. Does your Dad own an Elvis hand towel? If not, then clearly he’s not cool. ;)

JEALOUSY - NATALIE MERCHANT

If you’re my age, clearly you know this song because you grew up in the 90s.

NOSTALGIA - SUKI WATERHOUSE

If you watched Daisy Jones & the Six, this is Karen the keyboardist. If you haven’t watched Daisy Jones & the Six, what are you doing? Run, now…..to Amazon Prime and start watching. You won’t be disappointed.

GIVE ME ONE REASON - TRACY CHAPMAN

Oh Tracy with her soulful voice and laid back vibes. It was a treat to see her on the Grammy stage this year with Luke Combs who had covered her song Fast Car.

NICE TO MEET YA - NIALL HORAN

This is a favorite of mine to crank up. Do it, trust me.

TIME STANDS - NATHANIEL RATELIFF

Even if you’re not in to music, this music video is a masterpiece. It was filmed over Covid when the world was shut down. It’s filmed in a lot of different countries including Brazil, Nigeria, Japan, Scotland and the US throughout different environments. We get to see beaches, mountains, downtowns, all completely quiet in their “natural” habitat.

DREAMS - FLEETWOOD MAC

This song has been covered so many times, but you always have to remember who sang it first, Ms. Stevie Nicks.

CHAINSMOKING - JACOB BANKS

I’ve actually never listened to another of his songs, but the lyric “Chainsmoking your love” is what draws me in every time to this song of Jacob’s.

SHE TALKS TO ANGELS - THE BLACK CROWES

Obviously a fan favorite. Right? If you haven’t heard their new song with the “It” country singer of the moment Lainey Wilson you should give it a listen. It’s called Wilted Rose.

Did you know he was also married to Kate Hudson? Just come to me and I’ll give you all the random info you didn’t know you wanted to learn.

OCEAN EYES - BILLIE EILISH

Billie’s voice is so soft and deeply feeling. She seems to sing with so much vulnerability.

ON THE DARK SIDE - EDDIE AND THE CRUISERS

Could I have given you the video with the actual people who sang this song and not the actors from the movie I know it from? Sure, but the only reason I know this song, ok, all the songs from the soundtrack of Eddie and the Cruisers is unfortunately not from the actual singer, John Cafferty.

I watched this movie as a little girl with my Dad and I can still remember pulling out this cassette tape from the box and putting it in his car cassette player. See, another reminder of how much music can transport you to another time.

RIVERS & ROADS - THE HEAD AND THE HEART

I purposely selected this version of the song to share because I love how intimate and personal it feels. It feels like an authentic, paired down version of them as artists.

On a random note, I watched the Steve Gleason documentary many years ago and if I remember correctly, at the end they play this song. Steve’s son’s name is Rivers and by the end of this documentary with this specific song, I was sobbing. It’s a raw and vulnerable film that shows just how quickly ALS can take a person.

FADE INTO YOU - MAZZY STAR

I don’t know if Mazzy ever had another hit, but this one HITS. The way she sings just so nonchalantly; meanwhile I’m over here very not nonchalantly trying to act cool like her.

I hope you got inspired to roll down the windows and turn the volume up real loud…just try it, ok? And don’t use the excuse of it’s cold outside. Live a little and crank the heat up when you crank the volume.

Thanks so much for reading!

Tucker