The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is glowing over Midtown, towering above skaters, tourists, and anyone clutching a hot chocolate for warmth. To celebrate the most iconic tree on Earth, here’s a playlist dedicated entirely to songs about trees — literal trees, metaphorical trees, sad trees, happy trees, indie trees, classic-rock trees. If it has branches, bark, or emotional symbolism, it made the cut.
“A Day in the Life of a Tree” – The Beach Boys
A tender, unexpectedly emotional ballad sung from the point of view of a weary tree. Perfectly on-theme.
“A Forest” – The Cure
Foggy, hypnotic, and perfect for anyone who prefers their holiday soundtrack slightly haunted.
“A Thousand Trees” – Stereophonics
A Brit-rock staple with grit, melody, and enough intensity to shake the needles off any Christmas tree.
“A Tree Too Weak to Stand” – Gordon Lightfoot
Folk warmth with a melancholy edge, proving even trees have rough days.
“Feed the Tree” – Belly
A ’90s alt-rock gem with jangly guitars and cryptic imagery. The Rockefeller spruce would approve.
“Fake Plastic Trees” – Radiohead
Emotion, atmosphere, and existential dread — ideal if the holiday crowds are stressing you out.
“Hickory Wind” – The Byrds
A breezy country-folk drift through memory, longing, and wide-open spaces.
“If a Tree Falls” – Bruce Cockburn
A sharp, urgent environmental anthem — a reminder of the bigger forest beyond Rockefeller Plaza.
“In My Tree” – Pearl Jam
Trippy, rhythmic, and spiritually elevated — the vibe you get when staring up at 80 feet of Christmas lights.
“King of Trees” – Cat Stevens
A soft, philosophical tune that feels like a walk through a quiet winter woodland.
“Old Pine” – Ben Howard
Gentle acoustic waves, soft nostalgia, and earthy warmth — holiday calm in song form.
“Shadows and Tall Trees” – U2
Atmospheric and brooding, perfect for late-night post-lighting reflections.
“Tall, Tall Trees” – Alan Jackson
A lively, country-fun tune that brings dancing energy to your tree playlist.
“The Dreaming Tree” – Dave Matthews Band
A sprawling, poetic track that feels like stepping into an enchanted forest.
“The Hanging Tree” – James Newton Howard
Haunting, cinematic, and instantly transportive — ideal if you want your tree lighting to feel epic.
“The Memory of Trees” – Enya
Ethereal as snowfall. A perfect soundtrack for the moment the lights turn on.
“The Thorn Tree in the Garden” – Derek and the Dominos
A quiet, heartfelt closer to one of rock’s greatest albums, filled with acoustic tenderness.
“Tree by the River” – Iron & Wine
A warm, flowing folk song that pairs beautifully with twinkling lights.
“Treefingers” – Radiohead
Ambient, weightless, and dreamy — imagine floating above the tree, not just looking at it.
“Weeping Willow” – The Verve
Moody, melodic Brit-rock for a winter night stroll past the ice rink.