"Winter Song" is a song by British singer-songwriter

Chris Rea Christopher Anton Rea ( ; born 4 March 1951) is an English rock and blues Blues is a music genre and musical form which originated in the Deep South of the United States around the 1860s. Blues incorporated spirituals, work songs, fie ...

, released in October 1991 as an extended play and as a track on the European edition of his eleventh studio album '' Auberge''. "Winter Song" was written by Rea and produced by

Jon Kelly Jon Kelly is a British audio engineer and record producer, who began his career as an engineer at Air London Studios. He has produced albums and singles for Chris Rea, the Damned, Kate Bush (where he co-produced with Bush on her third album '' ...

. The EP, which was released to coincide with Rea's current tour of Britain, reached 27 on the

UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...

and No. 30 in the

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Critical reception

Upon its release, ''

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'' wrote, "Rea has a good sense of the seasons. His last single was called 'Looking for the Summer', and now he reclaims his spot around the fireplace with this pleasant

Dire Straits Dire Straits were a British rock band formed in London in 1977 by Mark Knopfler (lead vocals and lead guitar), David Knopfler (rhythm guitar and backing vocals), John Illsley (bass guitar and backing vocals) and Pick Withers (drums and percuss ...

-like folk song." Gavin Martin of ''

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'' selected it as one of the "singles of the week" and commented, "The languorous pace and parched throaty rasp that worked wonders on the eerie evocation of '

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' basks in its full glory here. This is a gorgeous homily to fit the shortening days and the yearning heart. Rea takes his time and doesn't crowd out the mix." Jim Lawn of the ''Lennox Herald'' stated, "This single will certainly provide Rea with another hit. As winter and Christmas close in on us this single should fit the mood of the season." Peter Kinghorn of the ''

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'' described the song as a "superb" and "expressive" ballad.

Track listings

7-inch single (UK) # "Winter Song" – 4:35 # "Footprints in the Snow" – 4:23 # "Tell Me There's a Heaven" – 6:04 7-inch single (Germany and France) # "Winter Song" – 4:35 # "Footprints in the Snow" – 4:23 # "Set Me Free" – 5:38 CD single (UK and Europe) # "Winter Song" – 4:35 # "Footprints in the Snow" – 4:23 # "Tell Me There's a Heaven" – 6:04 # "True to You" – 3:58 CD single (Germany) # "Winter Song" – 4:35 # "Footprints in the Snow" – 4:23 # "Set Me Free" – 5:38 # "True to You" – 3:58

Personnel

"Winter Song" *

– guitar, slide guitar, Hammond organ *

Max Middleton David Maxwell Middleton (born 4 August 1946) is an English composer and keyboardist who was originally a docker on the London docks. Middleton is known for his work on the Fender Rhodes Electric piano, the Minimoog synthesiser and his percussiv ...

– keyboards * Robert Ahwai – bass *

Martin Ditcham Martin Ditcham is an English drummer, percussionist and songwriter. Ditcham is a prolific session musician, working with artists such as Henry Cow, Status Quo, Elton John, The Rolling Stones, Roger Daltrey, Sade, Mary Black, Nik Kershaw, Chris ...

– drums, percussion Production *

– producer (all tracks) * Chris Rea – producer ("Tell Me There's a Heaven") * Justin Shirley-Smith – engineer ("Winter Song") * Russell Shaw – additional engineer ("Winter Song") Other * Stephen Sandon – individual photography *

Simon Fowler Simon Geoffrey Fowler (born 25 May 1965 in Meriden, Warwickshire) is an English singer and acoustic guitarist, best known as the frontman of Ocean Colour Scene. The Fanatics Simon Fowler commenced his music career as the lead singer and songwr ...

– background photography *

Stylorouge Stylorouge is a graphic design studio based in Yalding, Kent, formed in London by creative director Rob O'Connor in 1981. Art work created by the studio has included record sleeve designs for bands such as Siouxsie and the Banshees for their 1981's ...

– design

Charts

References

{{Authority control 1991 EPs 1991 songs Chris Rea songs East West Records EPs Songs written by Chris Rea