Songs for the dead of winter! (It's more complicated than you might think.)

Here we are again, the least popular time of year for the most of us. The year-end holidays have passed, and spring is still months away. Oh, and it's the darkest and coldest time of the year, too - because why wouldn't it be? Some of us go dormant like plants this time of year, insulating ourselves and enduring the season with introspection and maybe a touch of seasonal depression. Others go on a more positive spin, taking time to detox and find spiritual rebirth. And of course some people actually love the winter, they vibe with the chill and embrace the darkness. Besides, if not for the harshness of winter, would spring even seem so amazing? Then there are those whose kinkier sides come to life in winter ... but that's another podcast for another day. In this episode of "How We Heard It," your hosts explore music about winter, inspired by winter or evoking winter and all the heartaches and trials of the season as well as the victories and joy. You might be surprised how inspiring winter is for songwriters and just how many loving and uplifting songs are spawned during a "bleak" time of year. There's some moody and sad stuff too, but you know that can't be avoided.