Let It Snow: A Winter Classic Written in the Heat of Summer

“Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” is one of the most cheerful wintertime songs ever written—and ironically, it was created during a sweltering Los Angeles heatwave. In July 1945, lyricist Sammy Cahn and composer Jule Styne were enduring a stretch of scorching temperatures when inspiration struck. Dreaming of cooler weather, they penned a song that captured the charm of a cozy winter evening spent inside while snow gently falls outside.

Unlike many holiday favorites, “Let It Snow” makes no mention of Christmas. There are no reindeer, no trees, and no holiday imagery at all. Instead, the song paints a simple, romantic scene: a couple savoring each other’s company as the weather outside grows colder. Its themes of warmth, comfort, and togetherness are universal, which is part of why the song has endured for generations.

The first recording was released later that same year by Vaughn Monroe, and it quickly climbed the charts. Since then, countless artists—from Dean Martin to Ella Fitzgerald to modern singers—have added their own spin, each version keeping the song’s timeless appeal alive.

The lyrics unfold like a short winter story. The fire is crackling, the snow is piling up, and the outside world is fading away. The narrator lingers a little longer, hoping the storm will continue just so the goodbyes can be postponed. It’s a snapshot of simple joy, and a reminder of how the coldest days can bring out the warmest moments.

While we don’t get much snow in Laurens County, “Let It Snow” still brings a touch of winter magic to the season. You’ll hear it at tree lightings, holiday markets, and community gatherings, where the song sparks the imagination—inviting listeners to picture a quiet night, a glowing fire, and the wish that the snowfall might last just a bit longer.

“Let It Snow” endures not because of holiday nostalgia, but because it celebrates something timeless: the beauty of slowing down and savoring the moment with the ones we love.