Christmas is often seen as a season of joy, spent in the comfort of tradition. But for many, it’s also a time tinged with longing, nostalgia, or even sadness. That’s one reason Ian Foster and Nancy Hynes’ hauntingly beautiful cover of Gordon Lightfoot’s “Song for a Winter’s Night” is such a poignant addition to any holiday playlist.

As Hynes sings “I would be happy just to hold the hands I love / On this winter’s night with you.” I’m reminded that, more than anything else, my best Christmas memories are about the feeling of connection.

Christmas, like no other time of year, can amplify feelings of absence. Whether due to distance or loss, the holidays can be a challenge. Foster and Hynes deliver their cover with a wistfulness that feels both comforting and cathartic,, creating a version of “Song for a Winter’s Night” that speaks to anyone who has ever spent Christmas longing for the touch of a loved one.

It definitely belongs on your holiday playlists.