Some songs feel less like performances and more like quiet conversations, and “When Winter Comes” is exactly that. Released in 2020 on McCartney III, the track was originally recorded in the early 1990s with producer George Martin. Decades later, it resurfaced as the closing song of the album, carrying with it a sense of intimacy, timelessness, and reflection.
At its core, the song is simple — just Paul’s voice and an acoustic guitar. Yet in that simplicity lies its magic. The lyrics describe small, everyday responsibilities: mending fences, planting trees, caring for animals, and preparing for the coming winter. On the surface, it’s about tending a farm. But beneath that imagery lies something more profound: a meditation on care, stewardship, and love’s quiet labor.
McCartney’s delivery is warm, unhurried, and deeply human. His voice, gently weathered by time, gives the song a vulnerability that feels almost confessional. There’s no attempt at grandeur; instead, the intimacy makes the song feel like a moment shared in a quiet room, just one person and a guitar.
Thematically, “When Winter Comes” connects to Paul’s lifelong fascination with nature and domestic life. Much like “Mother Nature’s Son” or “Heart of the Country,” it celebrates the beauty of the ordinary, reminding us that meaning often resides not in spectacle, but in simple acts of care. Coming at the end of McCartney III, after a collection of more experimental and layered tracks, it feels like a final breath — a return to the essentials.
What makes the song so moving is its tone of acceptance. It isn’t a lament or a grand statement. Instead, it feels like a gentle reminder: that winter will come, as it always does, and our role is simply to prepare with love and intention. In a world often overwhelmed by noise, this quiet wisdom feels like a gift.
In the end, “When Winter Comes” is more than a hidden gem brought to light. It’s Paul McCartney at his most honest — reflective, grounded, and profoundly human. A song about chores, yes, but also about life, love, and the responsibility of caring for what we hold dear. It’s not just an ending for the album — it’s a closing reflection on a life lived with music, love, and gentle wisdom.