Winter Winds - Mumford & Sons

Winter Winds - Mumford & Sons

3:39

Sigh No More, 2009

Written by Marcus Mumford, Ben Lovett, Winston Marshall, and Ted Dwane

Despite being essentially a breakup song ("And my head told my heart / Let love grow / But my heart told my head / This time no"), this song has become, for some reason, a Christmastime favorite.  Musically, the song begins with gentle acoustic fingerpicking before building into the band's signature rush of banjo, stomping rhythm, and soaring harmonies.  Lyrically, there's a clear emotional imbalance at the center of the song, in which the narrator wants more for both himself and his partner, but it's clear it can't be. They're both fighting against the wind.

Babel - Mumford & Sons

Babel - Mumford & Sons

3:28

Babel, 2012

Written by Ted Dwane, Ben Lovett, Winston Marshall and Marcus Mumford

Title trax!

The Tower of Babel as a metaphor.  The narrator vows to tear down the walls someone built, perhaps around their heart.  The song, it is said, it meant to be about the tendency of humans to be discontented with their lot and always wanting more, but I don't see that in the lyrics.  I love the ferocity of the acoustic instruments and the growling, intense vocals.  Amplifying power without amplifiers is always a great hook.