As the air turns crisp and the days grow shorter, Torch editors were asked to share stories about their favorite winter songs that spark a bit of winter magic. From nostalgic classics to new discoveries, we’ve put together a playlist meant to bring warmth, comfort and cheer to your cold-weather days. We hope this cozy soundtrack carries you through this winter season. Responses have been edited for length and clarity.

“Blue Christmas”- Elvis Presley

I heard ‘Blue Christmas’ at a diner over winter break a few years ago, playing from a jukebox that was filling the song with static. Elvis makes sadness sound smooth in a way no one else can. The song isn’t really about the holidays, it’s about missing someone while the world pretends to be cheerful. It doesn’t pretend to be a perfect holiday song. It’s messy and human, which makes it better. The mix of longing and warmth hits exactly right when the holidays feel too loud. With a good pop and indie vibe, it’s like the epitome of an emotional reality check for the Christmas season.

– Rafaella Kolesnik, Editor-in-Chief

‘Blue Christmas’ was originally written by Billy Hayes and Jay Johnson, but Elvis Presley recorded the song in 1957 for his Christmas collection with the help of the Jordanaires, the backing group.

– Dr. George Plasketes, professor of media studies at Auburn University

“White Winter Hymnal”- Fleet Foxes

I feel like this song is just my permanent backing track when the weather drops anywhere below 40 degrees. When it’s snowy and dark outside, I play this in the car with my friends on our way to get a sweet treat after studying for finals. When I’m curled up with a blanket on the couch, I have this on in the background as I’m reading. When the first flurry of the season occurs, ‘White Winter Hymnal’ is always the first song I turn on.

– Joyce Ng, News Editor

“Silent Night, Holy Night”- Frank Sinatra

This song makes me think of going to church on Christmas Eve. Every year my whole family sits in the pew as the church lights dim and everyone begins to pass the flame from their candle to their neighbor. Once everyone’s candle is lit, we all raise [them] into the air as we hum ‘Silent Night’. This is one of my favorite times of year as I really feel the Christmas magic.

– Lauren McClamroch, Executive Sports Editor

“Frosty the Snowman”- Gene Autry

I fondly remember watching the “Frosty the Snowman” movie for the first time as a little kid. It was a completely snowed-in winter day and my mom had picked up a DVD of this movie from the Northbrook Public Library. She played it on the TV and sat with me and my older brother with a bunch of blankets on the couch and watched the movie. By the end, it was already dark outside and my mom and brother had fallen asleep, but I stayed awake the whole time and really enjoyed the coziness of watching the movie with my family on such a cold day.

– Arpi Kirakosian, Executive News Editor