It’s been such a strange year and in the spirit of togetherness and community, we’re going to be counting down to Christmas by sharing a selection of our – and our friends’ – favorite festive songs. Today, Amiee from Buzzkill Magazine has chosen ‘Winter Means Nothing (Without You)’ by The Maine.
‘In true Grinch fashion, my favorite Christmas song is a sombre one. Winter Means Nothing (Without You) by The Maine is melancholic and slow, capturing Christmas blues in just over three minutes. It was released as one half of a two song EP in 2017, ‘…and to All a Good Night,’ following up their now iconic and neon punk drenched ‘…and a Happy New Year’ released in 2008.
It doesn’t fall into the traps of popular Christmas songs by packing in as much jingling and bellringing as possible, which could be why it’s one I can just about handle. More than anything, the vocals from John O’Callaghan are given the forefront, sounding haunting and pensive. They’re backed by a mix of acoustic and electric guitars which push this scene of a solemn winter season.
Lyrically, that mood is reflected as we’re taken through the motions of being apart from someone you love during the holiday season: ‘The reds and all the greens don’t mean a thing when you’re gone,’ and ‘I’m having trouble sleeping like a child on Christmas Eve / I’m restless in the night, like the lights upon the tree.’
It’s the perfect song for those who, like me, can’t handle too much festivity in one go. It may not be the happiest of Christmas songs but it’s perfect for those quiet winter nights as you watch the snow fall.’
