Songs that Will Keep You Warm When Chicago Gets Cold
So, it’s getting cold – not the cute Oh-I-can-still-wear-shorts-and-a-tank-top-and-shiver-a-little cold –but more so the everyone’s-getting-sick-now cold. This is the type of cold that makes you break out the puffer, or maybe even makes dining hall coffee taste good. Hopefully, these songs give you a warm, fuzzy feeling and make the windy walk to class a bit more bearable.
1. James Bay and Julia Michaels, “Peer Pressure (Acoustic)”
Warmest lyrics: “I don't usually give in to peer pressure // But I'll give in to yours.”
James Bay and Julia Michaels have ruled the charts with their hits, “Let it Go” and “Issues”, respectively. Together, they created the cutest earworm to ever grace my Spotify playlists, and arguably, one of the best acoustic versions of a song...ever (the original “Peer Pressure” is nice, but there’s just something about Bay and Michael’s harmony in the chorus that takes this version to a different level). You’ll probably find yourself humming the melody all day, and therefore, this song deserves to grace the top of this list. Hopefully, you give into my peer pressure and listen to it on loop.
2. The Ivy, “Have You Ever Been in Love”
Warmest lyrics: “You know I keep a collection // Of my misplaced affections // The thought of you keeps grabbing my attention.”
This song has lived in my Spotify Wrapped as one of my top listened to songs for the past three years straight, and it’ll probably make it into my Wrapped this year as well. “Have You Ever Been in Love” is an overly catchy soft-pop song; it’s the music for when you want to feel like a character in a coming-of-age movie while doing mundane tasks like picking up milk from Jewel Osco. This is The Ivy’s most popular song on Spotify, and in my opinion, their best song musically – the guitar solo at 2:30 proves it.
3. JVCK JAMES, “Joyride (ándale)”
Warmest lyrics: “Ain't gotta hit the breaks on the wheel if love’s in sight.”
JVCK JAMES is a criminally underrated artist; his sound is as if Khalid, Giveon, and a little bit of Omar Apollo decided to have a lovechild and immediately put said child in the studio. “Joyride” simply makes you want to drive with the windows down and smile. The heavy R&B influence on the song makes it a perfect song to put on as you relax under the covers and ignore all your Canvas notifications.
4. AUGUST 08, “Don’t Waste It”
Warmest lyrics: “Cause I think we might be in love and //The night is young so baby no //Don't you waste it.”
AUGUST 08 is another criminally underrated R&B artist on this list, but you may recognize his name from his multiple collaborations with 88 Rising: most notably, their smash-hit “Midsummer Madness.” “Don’t Waste It” centers around a couple that wants to relish in their youth, and what could possibly be warmer than anyone that just wants to enjoy the present?
5. Adam Melchor, “Real Estate”
Warmest lyrics: “I don't wanna hesitate // I would bet the house on you.”
You know those songs that feel like they should be played in a video montage taken on some old camcorder of people being happy and smiling? This is definitely one of them; it’s sickeningly cute and will not fail to put a smile on your face and make you momentarily forget that your fingers are about to freeze off.
6. Vance Joy, “Call if You Need Me”
Warmest lyrics: “Packing up your suitcase, you were humming to yourself // One day you were smiling, I could tell by how you sounded on the phone // You said ‘I'm coming home, babe.’”
Yes, this song is from Vance Joy, the guy that made “Riptide,” the song that had all adolescent ukulele players in a chokehold from the moment it was released. This song comes from his second studio album Nation of Two, and the lyrics are filled with a bunch of snapshots of a young couple’s life together. Joy’s happiness when singing about his partner radiates through the speakers, infecting the listener with that same warmth and happiness as well.
7. Paul Russell & Kuwana, “facetime (4g LTE)”
Warmest lyrics: “And holy moly what you do to me // One day you gon put the ‘u’ up in my eulogy.”
This song cleverly plays on the quintessential iPhone experience: the Facetime argument over whose WiFi is causing the call to constantly disconnect. This song is so warm not because it plays on such a common experience, but also because it almost feels like you’re on a phone call yourself. This song makes you want to do a little dance around your room and maybe even get on a Facetime call yourself. The song has a consistent and chill beat, accompanied by the acoustic guitar which makes it the perfect mellow song to play in the background of all your spotty Facetime calls.
8. Phoebe Bridgers, “Friday I’m in Love”
Warmest lyrics: “It's such a gorgeous sight/ To see you eat in the middle of the night.”
Bridgers covered this popular song, originally written by The Cure, during her Spotify Singles performance in 2018. Her calming voice coupled with the piano in the background makes for the perfect warm, dreamy song.
9. Alessia Cara, “October”
Warmest lyrics: “Another Valentine's Day flying by, every sunrise healing me // And we're okay, we'll live this way 'til it's done.”
This song is “we fell in love in october”’s younger and slightly sadder cousin. Cara is a gifted songwriter and artist, penning and releasing her breakout hit, “Here” in 2015. “October” shows a more mature sound from her in comparison to “Here.” While it is a bit sad, the song demonstrates that though everything isn’t meant to last forever, you can always enjoy what you have now.
10. YOG$ & Caroline Pennell, “San Francisco”
Warmest lyrics: “You don't know anything about me // At the same time, you know everything still.”
In fairness, this song is not particularly warm in the same way that the other songs on this list are; its lyrics are not about relishing in youth or about how much one is in love. This song is warm in a different kind of way: Pennell’s soft voice is the perfect vocal for a song that describes a longing for someone that is not in your life anymore, but you’ve accepted that you and them are both better off growing separately. I know this doesn’t give the same type of warmth that the others do, but, self-growth, arguably, is the best kind of warmth you can get because it is the warmth you give yourself.
Edited by Tobias Abelmann, editor of Lists
Cover art by Miriam Sills