December is known for many things: the official start of winter, colder weather, holidays, family gatherings, and the last month of the year. For those reasons, it can be a month that some people look forward to the most.
One thing that always stands out is songs that mention December. Granted, fans can always count on artists to release songs in the spirit of the holidays. However, some artists release songs that highlight the month differently. Here is a list of songs that should be on every December playlist.
Jay-Z fans know that the rapper has a certain affinity for the number four, which coincides with his birthday, the properly titled song “December 4th.” On the track, Jay uses recordings of his mother’s voice to narrate stories about him as he lyrically raps about different phases in his life.
In 2015, Ariana Grande released her holiday EP properly titled Christmas & Chill. On the track “December,” Grande sings to her partner as she emphasizes that she’s the gift that keeps on giving. As she says on the hook, “Merry Christmas, here I am boy / Gonna love, give you all I can boy / Merry Christmas, here I am boy / I’m the present and you know it, here I am boy.”
In 2010, Taylor Swift released her third studio album, Speak Now. On the second single, “Back to December,” Swift tells the story of dealing with a break-up and feeling remorseful about how the relationship ended. She wishes she could return to that time in December to make things right with her ex-partner.
Not too long after Linkin Park released their debut album, Hybrid Theory, they recorded another track, “My December,” which was featured on bonus editions. On the track, the late Chester Bennington sings from a place of loneliness and regret during this month.
It’s a bit hard to believe that after over two decades in the industry, Alicia Keys finally released her first holiday album, Santa Baby. On the album’s lead single, “December Back 2 June,” Keys finds herself smitten with a lover. She emphasizes that she doesn’t need any gifts during the holidays as long as she can spend time with the one she loves.
In 2017, rapper G-Eazy released his fifth album, The Beautiful & Damned. While he released three singles, one of the deep album cuts is “Summer in December.” The piano-driven track finds G-Eazy reflecting on his life in Los Angeles. While LA is known for sunny skies, even in the winter, G-Eazy sometimes feels like he needs some cold weather to reflect his sad emotions.
In 2009, Norah Jones released her fourth studio album, The Fall. It garnered four singles, but one of the deep album standouts is the acoustic track “December.” On the track, while it seems like Jones is missing the month of December, she may be using the month metaphorically as a person in her life.
While December usually brings joy to people during the holidays, it can sometimes be a sad season. That’s what Good Charlotte iterates in their song “Last December.” The group doesn’t mention the month at all in the lyrics, but they reflect on how this time of year can be hard on people who are grieving people they lost.
In 2013, Sara Bareilles released her critically acclaimed fourth album, The Blessed Unrest. The album’s final track, “December,” finds Bareilles reflecting on the emotions that the last month of the year brings, such as dealing with colder weather and setting goals for a new year.
In 2022, rapper and singer Rod Wave released his fourth studio album, Beautiful Mind. The album’s second single, “Cold December” finds Wave reflecting on his past relationships, and he's hoping he can start a new one so he won’t be lonely during December.
In 2019, rapper IDK released his debut studio album, Is He Real. He teamed up with Burna Boy on the smooth track “December,” in which the two highlight being enamored with a partner and the things they want to do with them.
In 2004, soul and R&B singer Van Hunt released his self-titled debut album. On the album track "Her December," Hunt details how the month can be a change of pace for people, between colder weather and a difference in emotions.
In 2009, Demi Lovato released her second studio album, Here We Go Again. It garnered two singles, including “Remember December.” On the track, Lovato knows the relationship with her partner is falling apart, but she hopes they can remember happier times, like in December.
In 1995, rock band Collective Soul released their self-titled second album. On the second single, “December,” the band reflects on feelings of being used by other people and not feeling good enough. The song became a top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.
In 2010, pop singer Miley Cyrus released her third album, Can’t Be Tamed. On the standout track, “Permanent December,” Cyrus realizes that her ex-partner was truly the love of her life, and she wants to get back with him. As she says on the hook, “It’s been like a permanent December / So much colder than I can remember / When I get you back, this time I swear / I won’t ever let you go.”
In 2002, rock band Weezer released their critically acclaimed fourth album, Maladroit. The album concludes with the track “December,” which has the band reflecting on how love and faith are true matters that help people get through life.
In 2017, pop group New Kids on the Block released their EP Thankful. The track “December Love" has the group reflecting on their relationships with their partners and realizing the love they have for them. As they sing on the hook, “We got a love that lasts forever / Through the stormy love / We got that December love.”
Releasing holiday albums could always add a certain element to an artist’s discography. For Michael Buble, his Christmas album became his best-selling album to date. On the track “Cold December Night,” Buble wishes that a partner will fall in love with him, an everlasting love.
In 2015, pop singer Kylie Minogue released her holiday album Kylie Christmas. On the track "White December," Minogue details the desire of snowed in during the holidays with the person that she loves.
In 1997, Donny Osmond released his holiday album Christmas at Home. On the track “After December Slips Away,” Osmond highlights that he will still keep his religious faith intact after the holidays are over.
Mya Singleton is a freelance writer and photographer based in Los Angeles. Her work has also been featured on The Sports Fan Journal and AXS. Feel free to follow her talking all things music on Twitter @MyaMelody7.
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