10 Best Songs With The Word 'Cold' In The Title

Feature Photo: agwilson / Shutterstock.com

Crafting a list around the theme of “cold” provides a fascinating glimpse into the emotional and creative range of rock and roll. The word itself, often associated with detachment, bitterness, or even introspection, has inspired some of the most memorable songs across decades of music. From heartbreak and fury to cool confidence and dark humor, these tracks show how the concept of “cold” can take on a life of its own in rock music. The following list of 10 songs explores these varied interpretations, spotlighting how artists have imbued the word with intense meaning while showcasing their unique styles and talents.

# 10 – Cold Heart (PNAU Remix) – Elton John And Dua Lipa

“Cold Heart (PNAU Remix),” the collaboration between Elton John and Dua Lipa, reshapes several of John’s classic recordings through modern dance production. Released on August 13, 2021, the track later appeared on John’s album The Lockdown Sessions. PNAU members Nicholas Littlemore, Peter Mayes, and Sam Littlemore produced and remixed the recording. The track combines elements of “Sacrifice,” “Rocket Man,” “Kiss the Bride,” and “Where’s the Shoorah?” while pairing John’s vocals with Dua Lipa’s performance. The result connects several eras of Elton John’s catalog without sounding like a conventional medley. Its sleek production helped introduce those familiar melodies to another generation of listeners.

Read More: Top 10 Dua Lipa Songs

# 9 – Warm Beer And Cold Women – Tom Waits

“Warm Beer and Cold Women,” from Tom Waits’ 1975 album Nighthawks at the Diner, captures the late-night melancholy of a man drinking through heartbreak. The album was recorded live at the Record Plant in Los Angeles before an invited audience, with Bones Howe serving as producer and engineer. Waits handled vocals and piano, joined by Mike Melvoin on electric piano, Jim Hughart on upright bass, Bill Goodwin on drums, and Pete Christlieb on tenor saxophone. The loose jazz setting gives the recording the atmosphere of a small club rather than a conventional studio session. Waits’ gravelly voice and barroom storytelling make the song one of the album’s defining performances.

# 8 – Hot Love, Cold World – Bob Welch

Who doesn’t love the music of the late Bob Welch? “Hot Love, Cold World” appeared on his 1977 solo album French Kiss, which marked his transition from Fleetwood Mac guitarist to solo artist. John Carter produced the track, with Welch handling vocals, guitar, and bass and Alvin Taylor playing drums. The lean lineup gives the song a direct sound while retaining the polished melodic style that runs throughout the album. “Hot Love, Cold World” was also released as a single and became one of the notable songs from Welch’s successful first solo album.

Read More: Top 10 Bob Welch Songs

# 7 – Cold Shot – Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble

Couldn't Stand The Weather (Legacy Edition)

“Cold Shot,” from Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble’s 1984 album Couldn’t Stand the Weather, is built around a slow, cutting blues groove and one of Vaughan’s most recognizable guitar performances. W.C. Clark and Mike Kindred wrote the song before Vaughan recorded it. The track was cut at the Power Station in New York City. Vaughan handled guitar and vocals, with Tommy Shannon on bass and Chris Layton on drums. The recording was produced by Vaughan, Shannon, Layton, Richard Mullen, and Jim Capfer. Its sharp rhythm and restrained tension helped make “Cold Shot” one of Vaughan’s signature songs.

Read More: Top 10 Stevie Ray Vaughan Songs

# 6 – Cold Ethyl – Alice Cooper

Welcome To My Nightmare (Expanded And Remastered)

“Cold Ethyl” is one of the darker and more theatrical tracks from Alice Cooper’s 1975 album Welcome to My Nightmare. Alice Cooper and Bob Ezrin wrote the song, and Ezrin produced the recording. Steve Hunter and Dick Wagner handle guitars, Prakash John plays bass, and Whitey Glan plays drums. Ezrin and Jozef Chirowski contribute keyboards to the album’s dense theatrical sound. The song’s macabre humor fits naturally into the nightmare concept that runs through the record. Its mix of shock, comedy, and hard rock remains classic Alice Cooper.

# 5 – James and the Cold Gun – Kate Bush

Kate Bush The Kick Inside Original EMI Records (Debut) Stereo release SW 17003 1970's Female Vocal Vinyl (1978)

“James and the Cold Gun” is a stirring and theatrical track from Kate Bush’s 1978 debut album, The Kick Inside. Bush wrote the song, and Andrew Powell produced and arranged the recording. It was recorded at AIR Studios in London during the sessions for the album. Ian Bairnson plays guitar, David Paton plays bass, Stuart Elliott handles drums, and Bush contributes piano and vocals. The driving rock arrangement gives the song a tougher edge than much of the album’s more ethereal material. That combination of narrative drama and raw energy made the track an early showcase for Bush’s range as a songwriter and performer.

Read More: Top 10 Kate Bush Songs

# 4 – Cold Gin – Kiss

“Cold Gin,” from Kiss’s 1974 self-titled debut album, is one of the defining hard rock songs from the band’s early years. Lead guitarist Ace Frehley wrote the song, but Gene Simmons sang the lead vocal while also playing bass. Frehley handled lead guitar, Paul Stanley played rhythm guitar, and Peter Criss played drums and percussion. Kenny Kerner and Richie Wise produced the recording, which was made at Bell Sound Studios in New York. The song’s heavy riff and straightforward arrangement helped establish the raw sound of the first Kiss album. It quickly became a concert favorite and remained part of the band’s live repertoire for decades.

# 3 – Stone Cold Crazy – Queen

“Stone Cold Crazy,” featured on Queen’s 1974 album Sheer Heart Attack, is a frantic burst of riffs, speed, and tightly controlled chaos. Freddie Mercury, Brian May, John Deacon, and Roger Taylor all share the official songwriting credit. Mercury delivers the lead vocal, May plays guitar, Deacon plays bass, and Taylor handles drums. Queen and Roy Thomas Baker produced the track. Its rapid-fire attack has often been cited as an early precursor to the speed and thrash metal styles that emerged later. The song remains one of the hardest and fastest recordings in Queen’s 1970s catalog.

# 2 – Cold Sweat – Thin Lizzy

“Cold Sweat,” from Thin Lizzy’s 1983 album Thunder and Lightning, captures the heavier direction of the band’s final studio album. Phil Lynott and guitarist John Sykes co-wrote the song. Lynott handles bass and lead vocals, with Sykes and Scott Gorham on guitars, Brian Downey on drums, and Darren Wharton on keyboards. Thin Lizzy and Chris Tsangarides produced the recording. Sykes’ aggressive guitar work gives the track much of its distinctive edge. Released as a single in February 1983, “Cold Sweat” became one of the defining songs from the band’s final studio lineup.

# 1 – Cold As Ice – Foreigner

“Cold as Ice” is the perfect closer for this list, pairing an unforgettable hook with Foreigner’s polished hard rock sound. The song appeared on the band’s self-titled debut album in 1977. Lou Gramm and Mick Jones wrote the track, with Gramm on lead vocals and Jones on lead guitar and piano. Ian McDonald plays rhythm guitar, Al Greenwood handles keyboards, Ed Gagliardi plays bass, and Dennis Elliott plays drums. The sharp keyboard figure and dramatic vocal arrangement helped make the song one of Foreigner’s signature recordings. Decades later, “Cold as Ice” remains a staple of classic rock radio.

Read More: 10 Most Rocking Foreigner Songs