The Nine Greatest December Songs

We start the list with a classic country gem from the great Merle Haggard. Merle has plans for warmer days ahead but at least he's got his guitar to keep him warm until then.

Stevie Wonder has influenced many classic rockers; most notably Paul McCartney, who recorded the duet "Ebony & Ivory" with Wonder and Stevie Ray Vaughan, who covered "Superstition" back in 1986. No surprise there, though. Stevie Wonder is a living legend and this is a nice addition to our December playlist.

Weezer makes this list with a heart-wrenching ballad called, yes, "December". This one will really put you in a winter-time trance.

This year we lost some great rockers and Chester Bennington was one of them. Here Bennington uses snow to represent his sadness. Hard to listen to this one without reflecting on his passing but it's too powerful not to include on this list.

Zakk Wylde made a name for himself as lead guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne but, as you'll hear on this track, he shows he's more than just a shredder. Check out this song Wylde wrote and sang lead vocals on. This will give you chills no matter what time of year.

In 2003 Jethro Tull released an excellent collection of holiday songs titled "The Jethro Tull Christmas Album". This track displays Ian Anderson's brilliance not just as a musician but as a lyricist:

Through long December nights we talk in words of rain or snow
While you, through chattering teeth, reply and curse us as you go.
Why not spare a thought this day for those who have no flame
To warm their bones at Christmas time?
Say Jack Frost and the Hooded Crow.

Counting Crows singer Adam Duritz wrote this top ten single in the winter of '96. He has said it's about coming upon the end of another year, looking back on your life, and thinking "Things can always be better next year". From your mouth to God's ears Adam.

Recorded during the cold winter months of 1994 Collective Soul had themselves another hot single with "December" as it climbed all the way to #11 in March of '95. The song transitions in and out of tempos much like a snow storm makes its way through a scenic New England town.

C'mon get on the dance floor! If you can't find a dance floor just go out in the backyard and dance in the snow if you have to 'cuz this is the ultimate December song. Admit it, you're tapping your snow boots to this already!