Cold As Christmas (In The Middle Of The Year)

Elton John's song "Cold As Christmas (In The Middle Of The Year)" poignantly captures the emotional desolation of a failing marriage. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a couple who, despite being physically together in a tropical paradise, are emotionally distant. The imagery of sitting at separate tables and sleeping at different times underscores their estrangement. The warm wind in the palm trees, a symbol of the idyllic setting, ironically contrasts with their cold relationship, highlighting the futility of their surroundings in mending their broken bond.

The chorus, with its striking metaphor of it being "cold as Christmas in the middle of the year," encapsulates the core of the song. Despite the high temperatures and the heat wave, the emotional coldness between the couple is palpable. This stark contrast between the external warmth and internal chill serves as a powerful metaphor for their loveless marriage. The singer's attempt to find solace in the tropics, hoping it would heal the scars of their silent love, only emphasizes the depth of their emotional disconnect.

The song also touches on the impact of this failing relationship on their children, as the singer calls them to express that something is wrong. The line "there's a winter look in your mother's eyes" poignantly conveys the mother's emotional withdrawal. The dream of finding love in a better climate and the faith placed in a new beginning are shattered by the persistent "icy fringe" on everything. The song's closing lines question the beauty in the relationship they once cherished and lament the frost that has settled in their summertime, symbolizing the end of their love story.