5 Nontraditional Winter Songs for Lyric Analysis in Music Therapy
Discover 5 nontraditional winter songs perfect for lyric analysis in music therapy sessions. Includes practical tips, discussion prompts, and creative ways to engage teens and adults.
Wintertime always nudges us inward. It invites reflection, a deep breath, smiles, and sometimes a quiet, grateful tear. Since I work with clients across the lifespan, my winter sessions often move from jolly, playful classics into richer, non-traditional winter songs that help us go deeper. Below are five of my favorite winter-themed songs for lyric analysis and rewriting, with ideas for bringing them into sessions with teens and adults.
Why lyric analysis in the winter?
Beyond the holiday season, there’s something about winter that opens a window inward. The world slows, spaces feel more still, and emotions we’ve tucked away all year often surface. In music therapy, winter songs can become more than background, they can become mirrors. By analyzing lyrics, clients can explore themes like friendship, solitude, change, and gratitude in ways that feel meaningful and help bring closure at the end of the year.
Lyric Analysis Supports:
Emotional expression: Identifying and labeling feelings
Cognitive skills: interpretation, finding meaning, rewriting lyrics
Social-emotional skills: reflection, listening and empathizing with others
Creative expression: rewriting lyrics, journaling, drawing
1. “Snowman” — Sia
Yeah you are my home
My home for all seasons
So come on let's go
Let's go below zero
And hide from the sun
Why it fits the winter mood:
The imagery of the snowman, cold weather, and freezing winter evokes thoughts of impermanence and the things that matter most.
Discussion:
Explore the metaphor of the snowman: “What does the snowman represent to you? A loved one? A part of yourself?”
Reflect: “If the snowman melts, what in your own life is impermanent? How do you honor or let go of it?”
Consider the themes of passage of time, fragility, impermanence, and enduring love.
For younger clients, use a snowman handout to discuss and record self-love or relational needs.
After exploring impermanence with “Snowman”, “Winter Song” shifts the focus toward connection and support during challenging times.
2. “Winter Song” — Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson
They say that things just cannot grow
Beneath the winter snow
Or so I have been told
Why it fits the winter mood:
This song captures the stillness and challenges of the winter season while inviting reflection on support and resilience during times of change.
Discussion:
Examine emotional needs: “What are the singers longing for, and how does that connect to your own experiences?”
Ask: “Who or what helps you during transitional or difficult times?”
Consider: “How do the changing seasons mirror changes in your own life?”
Additional ideas:
Pair with gentle movement or stretching.
Use small percussion instruments to echo the rhythm or mood.
Have clients write a “Winter Verse” for coping with change, or expressing gratitude to someone meaningful.
Shifting from personal reflection to considering others, “Pretty Paper” invites mindfulness and empathy during the busy holiday season.
3. “Pretty Paper” — Willie Nelson
Crowded streets, busy feet hustle by you
Downtown shoppers Christmas is nigh
There he sits all alone on the sidewalk
Hoping that you won’t pass him by
Why it fits the winter mood:
This song shows a vivid picture of a lonely street vendor during the holiday rush, offering a gentle reminder to slow down and show empathy for others. It blends winter imagery with a reflection on connection.
Discussion:
Ask: “What do you notice about the people in the lyrics?” “What images come to mind?”
After listening, share the background of the song and ask: “How does it feel to witness someone alone in the midst of a busy season?”
Discuss busyness and mindfulness: “How do we notice others or nurture relationships during times when life feels rushed?”
Additional ideas:
Pair with a guided relaxation or breathing exercise to promote grounding.
Create a “self-care” or “caregiving toolbox” activity. Clients can decorate and fill it with items that nurture themselves or others.
From external observation, we return inward with “Holocene”, a song that encourages quiet reflection, humility, and awareness of our place in the larger world.
4. “Holocene” — Bon Iver
And at once, I knew
I was not magnificent
Strayed above the highway aisle
Jagged vacance, thick with ice
But I could see for miles, miles, miles
Why it fits the winter mood:
The expansive lyrics and sparse instrumentation evoke introspection and quiet contemplation, perfect for winter-themed sessions. The song’s imagery of distant, icy landscapes encourages mindfulness.
Professional note: The track includes one explicit word in the intro. Use your clinical judgment regarding client age, setting, and facility policies.
Discussion:
Introduce the definition of the word “holocene” then ask, “What does this evoke in you?”
Explore the lyric: “And at once, I knew I was not magnificent.” Ask: “What does ‘magnificent’ mean to you?” “How does this lyric relate to moments you’ve felt small or overlooked?”
Focus on identity and self-perception: “How do we measure our significance, and what does it mean to feel connected to something larger than ourselves?”
Additional ideas:
Journaling: Have clients write a short reflection on a moment they felt small or unnoticed and what insight came from it.
Engage clients in movement or gentle breathing exercises to mirror the ebb and flow of the music.
Encourage clients to improvise simple patterns using small percussion instruments.
Finally, “Peace” provides a gentle landing, allowing clients to exhale, find calm, and close the year with reflection and emotional release.
5. “Peace” — Norah Jones
Peace is for everyone…
Why it fits the winter mood:
“Peace” invites the listener to exhale. It brings quiet reflection, release, and rest. It pairs beautifully with what many of us do during winter: processing the good, bad, and challenging moments of the year, and practicing letting go.
Discussion:
Ask: “What does peace mean to you at this moment?” “Where do you find it?”
Reflection and letting go: “Are there worries or stresses you can leave behind, even briefly?”
Perspective: “How can you take a step back and see this past year, or any significant moments differently?”
Additional ideas:
Pair with deep breathing exercises while listening.
Clients can depict their “peaceful place,” or create a personal mantra inspired by the song.
Winter offers a unique space for reflection, slowing down, and turning inward. Through lyric analysis, clients can explore emotions, relationships, and personal growth in ways that feel natural and meaningful. These five songs are more than just seasonal tunes—they provide opportunities for introspection, creative expression, and connection.
Save this playlist to use in your sessions!
As you bring these songs into your sessions, feel free to tailor discussion questions, movement ideas, and lyric-writing exercises to meet the needs of your clients and the energy of your group. Whether guiding teens through self-reflection or supporting adults in processing the year’s experiences, these songs can create a space for insight, empathy, and calm.
As the winter season unfolds and the year draws to a close, may your sessions reflect not only the joy, but also the quiet beauty of this time—inviting pause, reflection, and gratitude for both the challenges and delights that have shaped us.
We’d love to hear how you bring these songs into your sessions—share your ideas or experiences in the comments!
For more ideas on incorporating winter songs with younger clients, explore this blog post and the Winter Songs for Kids Songbook!