When Kelly Clarkson released her holiday album Wrapped in Red in 2013, it was a glittering mix of festive cheer, timeless classics, and heartfelt originals. Among the new tracks, one stood out for its deeply personal touch: “Winter Dreams (Brandon’s Song)”, written as a love letter to her then-fiancé, Brandon Blackstock.
More than a decade later, that song has taken on a heartbreaking new significance. In August 2025, Blackstock passed away at the age of 48 after a private three-year battle with cancer. For fans, the track has transformed from a celebration of first love into a bittersweet reminder of a relationship that shaped a pivotal chapter of Clarkson’s life.
At the time of its release, Clarkson had been engaged to Blackstock for only months, having fallen in love the year before. She was inspired to write “Winter Dreams” after their first Christmas together, aiming to capture the magic of finding someone who could make the holidays feel like home. “It’s about that feeling when you finally find someone who makes the holidays feel truly magical,” she told interviewers in 2013.
The song’s lyrics — “I never dreamed I’d find someone like you / Warm like the sun, melt my winter blues…” — were once a joyful ode to romance. Now, they echo with a bittersweet resonance, embodying both the joy of that moment in time and the sorrow of knowing it cannot return. For many listeners revisiting it now, every line feels heavier, almost like a farewell written years before its time.
Clarkson and Blackstock married in October 2013 and went on to have two children, River Rose and Remington Alexander. Their nearly decade-long marriage saw its share of public highs and private challenges before ending in divorce in 2022. Despite the split, the two remained connected as co-parents. In the final weeks of Blackstock’s life, Clarkson paused her Las Vegas residency and stepped away from television commitments to be with their children.
Wrapped in Red, which featured “Underneath the Tree,” the title track, and “Winter Dreams”, earned both critical and commercial praise upon release. Critics lauded “Winter Dreams” in particular for its lush production, soaring vocals, and sincerity — though few at the time realized just how personal the song truly was. Clarkson later revealed it was written specifically for Brandon, forever binding it to their shared history.
Following news of Blackstock’s death, the track saw a resurgence on streaming platforms and social media. Fans described it as “painfully beautiful” and “a love letter that now reads like a goodbye.” One listener wrote, “She captured a moment of pure joy — and now it brings tears.” Another added, “It’s comforting and heartbreaking at the same time.”
Once a sparkling holiday romance frozen in song, “Winter Dreams (Brandon’s Song)” now stands as a time capsule — a testament to love, loss, and the enduring ability of music to preserve both. For Clarkson’s fans, it’s no longer just part of a Christmas playlist; it’s a reminder of how the most joyful moments can become the most poignant memories
