Meaning of "Winter" by The Rolling Stones

The lyrics of "Winter" by The Rolling Stones depict the emotional and metaphorical struggles of a cold and harsh winter. The repetition of "cold" emphasizes the emotional distance and isolation experienced by the narrator. The wind not blowing from the south, usually associated with warmth, intensifies the feeling of a desolate winter. The line "a lotta love is all burned out" suggests that relationships have lost their passion and faded away, leaving the narrator feeling lonely and detached.

The mention of the Christmas trees going out and the longing to be in California implies a desire for a happier, more festive atmosphere. The narrator's use of "burnin' my bell, book and candle" implies a willingness to let go of traditional beliefs and rituals, possibly in pursuit of personal transformation or a new beginning.

The mention of Stone Canyon and the lights on the Christmas trees going out again emphasizes the desire for a better, more joyful experience. However, the repetition of "burnin' my bell, book and candle" suggests a recurring cycle of disappointment and longing. The mention of restoration plays being gone suggests a loss of hope or a lack of opportunities for renewal.

The emotional intensity intensifies in the last verse, as the narrator expresses their longing for someone they think about and cry about. The mention of wanting to wrap their coat around this person indicates a desire to provide comfort and warmth, yet the line "Sometimes I wanna but I can't afford you" suggests that this desire is unattainable, either due to financial constraints or the unavailability of the person.

Overall, the lyrics of "Winter" convey a deep sense of longing, isolation, and yearning for better times. It explores themes of lost love, unfulfilled desires, and the harshness of winter as a metaphor for emotional struggles. The Rolling Stones capture the bittersweet essence of longing and the ache of unrequited desires within the cold backdrop of winter.