My husband and I both love this song. He died on March 4 and I listen to it for comfort. I miss you Larry so much.

This may sound weird, but i often come to these songs and read the comments so i don't feel so alone in my nostalgia, it helps, long live the nineties. Cheers to everyone from Australia.

Listening to this and crying. I listen to it towards the end of each year hoping the next one will be better than the last. Lost so many people in the past year and I'm currently struggling with a lot of grief, anxiety, and depression. I love this song so much. Sending love to anyone who reads this and feels similarly ❤

I’m leaving this comment here so after a week after a month after a year someone likes it, I’ll get reminded of this masterpiece

This band molded my childhood. I am a black suburban kid from Chicago area....my peers were listening to Tupac x Wu Tang x DMX x Nelly growing up x me? I was bumping Bush, Beck, Hootie, Jewel, and The Counting Crows in my discman headphones!!! Jewel was a guilty pleasure. Another one was Alanis x Tracy Chapman x Macy Gray...90’s full of the best music we will ever be blessed with!!!

The 90s wasn’t a decade. It was an emotion. Right - Coree ;)

The smell of hospitals in winter, and the feeling that it's all a lot of oysters, but no pearls. THAT... is superb song writing.

I was a teenager when this song came out. I'm 39 now and I still listen to this every December and hope that the new year coming will be better than the last... Happy almost 2023 yall

The older you get the harder this song hits

December 2020, the longest December in recorded history.

I'm turning 50 tomorrow, and last month was rough. I'm here because I need this.

Who's all here in 2024

Just turned 60 in October. I heard this when I was 38. Still sounds the way I remember it. Poignant. Positive. Here's hoping for a fabulous '22.

31 December, 2020. Everyone needs to play this song, everyone.

I listened to this song religiously before going to rehab in December back in 2018. It took two more years, but now I am almost 3 years clean off of heroin and meth. This Long December is pretty amazing needless to say…I know my next year will be even more amazing.

When I lost my best friend to suicide, I was 18 years old and we lost him on 12/29/2000. This song was my lifeline for years after his death. And just over a week ago, on 12/20/2022, we had to make the heartbreaking decision to pull my beautiful, strong, and tenacious mother off of life support after a brief and debilitating illness that killed her from the inside out. Again, this song has become my lifeline all over again. Our lives will never be the same, and I pray 2023 is going to be a better year for us all. Rest In Heavenly Peace Mama🙏❤️💔

This song makes me homesick for a place that doesn't exist. There are many songs that give me this same feeling. Love it and hate it at the same time.

I was in and out of mental hospitals from the time I was 15 ('95) until I turned 18 ('98). This song always makes me think of that time. If you're struggling out there, just know....it gets better. But only if you let it.

"I can't remember.... all the times I've tried to tell myself to hold on...to the these moments as they pass". Beautiful lyrics right there

This has been the worst year of my life. I lost my boyfriend of 13 years in March. Then I became homeless for four months. I finally got my own apartment and I'm with my cat, which is a blessing. Unfortunately I am still drowning. Maybe this year will be better than the last.

God I miss the 90s. Being a teenager listening to music like this hanging out with friends. Life goes quick guys hold on to these moments.

After listening to this every December for ~20 years, I'm not so sure next year will be better than the last but I sure hope so.

My Dad died Dec 26 1987, almost a decade before this song was released. “ the smell of hospital in winter” hit hard for me. I love this song

Fun fact: A long december was written and recorded in less than 24h. It's the one song Adam never get tired of playing.

"It's a song about looking back on your life and seeing changes happening, and for once for me, looking forward and thinking, ya know, things are gonna change for the better - 'maybe this year will be better than the last.' And so, like a lot of songs on the end of an album it's not about everything turning out great, but it at least it is about hope... and the possibilities." - Adam Duritz

I'll be turning 40 in May of 2021, and I come back to songs like these from time to time and sit and listen as memories start playing like a movie in my head. 17 year old me, with my Jncos and cardigan, so full of angst, downloading Nirvana .Avi files over a 14.4 dial up modem, listening to my dad bitch about how I'm wasting my life. Nights spent with friends riding around doing dumb shit. Hours I sat and worried if I would make it to 21 or if I would ever find love. 23 years later, I'm married with three children with an awesome career and I couldn't be more happier, thankful, and feel so blessed. For anyone out there going through tough times, just remember they will pass. Be steadfast and vigilant and you'll come out on the other side stronger than ever. Love you guys! Peace and love. Update! Came back this December to wish everyone of you the best and most prosperous 2023! I'd give you all the entire Universe if I were able to...because you are worth it. NOW GO OUT AND TELL SOMEONE YOU LOVE THEM!

Nostalgia is that ache in ur heart for a place that no longer exists. This song captures that painfully delicious sound. I come back every December to reminisce and take stock of the last year. Here's hoping next year will be better, less oyster more pearls.

This takes me back as a teen watching MTV and VH1

This song fucking hits different in 2020.

Amazing song and band. This was the first CD I ever had. I have no regrets. #LongDecemberrrrrr

Reminds me of my daughter in law fighting leukemia... Lots of hospitals... One more day.. enjoy every day... She passed away after many years of fighting.

This song will forever be on the soundtrack of my life. ❤❤🐦‍⬛🐦‍⬛

I can't remember all the times I tried to tell myself to hold on to these moments as they pass... these words hit so much harder at 47 than they did at 22.. Lyrical genius

The 90's wasn't depression emo music. More like artistic expression of melancholy.

This is one of the most underrated Counting Crows, yet, it still is my favorite.

Let's just find a way to get back to 1996

I have listened to this song every December like people listen to Christmas songs. It would take too long to explain my love for this song. Hugs to all of you beautiful people.

Watching this in December of 2016. My mom once said, "You'll wake up one day and twenty years will have gone by." I now understand, mom.

My Mom passed away Christmas Eve. This song brings me comfort. I hope next year is better... It's been a long December. :(

*I feel so incredibly blessed to have been a teenager in the 90's. Absolute best music & this song brings back so many memories for me*

Is anyone here during the Coronavirus! Listening to great music!!!!

So many of us were so spoiled living through the 90s. This was a time right before Napster, before the internet took off. It's like a last gasp of originality sang to us in that timeframe, and we thank all of those who put out music in that time. You are the last of the mohicans of music, and for that, we thank you.

My Dad past away 3 days before Christmas in 2019 I spent a week in the hospital with him before he passed. This song always reminds me of the time I spent with him his last few days which was definitely the longest December I can remember. I'm thankful this song gives me the opportunity to think about my dad and helps me with the grief of such a great personal loss.

I hurt for friends I've lost when I hear this song. When I was young, I thought life would always be the way it was. Lots of friends, lots of fun times and always something to look forward to. I didn't realize that people change, even your very best friends, to the point where your friendship is only a memory. I didn't realize people move away and sometimes never call again. I didn't realize that friends, young people, can get sick and die and are gone forever. And before you know it, the life you're living today looks in no way, shape or form like the life you'd been living or thought you'd be living..

25 years in a row. I listen to this song every Dec 31st. It's still perfect. Happy New Beginnings to anyone who reads this

One of the most underrated bands of the 90's

Here we all are, again, having this song hit us hard all over again.

This is one of the most beautiful songs of its generation.

The feeling that it’s all a lot of oysters but no pearls

This song was big when i moved to CA. The World has changed so much in 25yrs. Wish we could go back to the 90s.

Just look at Courtney. Quintessential 90s beauty. Like Winona. Or this song. Whole decade just one vibe across all culture. Once in a lifetime.

Born in 81, grew up in the 90s. What a decade. What a song.

This song was playing as I drove to the hospital the day my father died. It will always be linked with him for me.

My mom died in November back in '99. I was 16 and this song makes me remember that time but also makes me nostalgic for the 90's, before her death.

I am 59 years old and love this song. Counting Crows is one of my favorite 90 bands.

I lost my 5 year old son 6 weeks ago and this song always spoke to me, now it makes sense. There will be a lot of firsts in the next year without him being around.

Love this song so much, hopefully 2021 will be better than the last..

Ever noticed how December makes people feel like checking out. All I can say is keep fighting the good fight.

Remember when we used to walk and listen to songs like these hoping things would be better soon? Now most walk around thinking of who they can criticize or ostracize next for not having their same beliefs.

all these 90's tunes are literally the sound track to life..... and im not mad about it at all.....i wish i could go back and relive my childhood all over again...

My beloved brother died on December 7th of 2020. He loved this band. So sad.

I've been listening to this song since I was 17 years old and found my grandfather's old Counting Crows cd hidden away in a drawer. This year I'm marrying my high school love, someone who I met at 17 and fell in love with over our mutual love for Counting Crows. Can't wait to finally dance to this song together at our wedding over a decade later. If Adam or the band ever sees this- thank you. You've been the soundtrack to our love story for 11 years now, and will continue to be for many decades to come.

He listens to this song every time you do with you❤

The smells of hospitals in winter, and the feeling it's all a lot of oysters, but no pearl. Damn.....that's lyrical genius.

the 90s...back when us young adults were bummed out by something there was no internet or social media to vent, no internet soapbox...you just had your friends and music ;)

Let’s hope 2022 is better than the last two years

I just realized this was the THIRTEENTH track on the album. As if no one thought it would be a hit. And Adam talks about how this is the ONLY song he wants to play EVERY SHOW. Amazing! The song of a decade. 🤗

Missing dad and sis sometimes this song hits like a freight train out of control 😔

It’s December 2020 now. Song feels more real now then it did 15 years ago. It gets better.

"I guess the winter makes you laugh a little slower, makes you talk a little lower about the things you could not show her." What an incredibly well crafted lyric.

It's been a long December again and I'm back begging God for answers 🙏 nothing makes sense anymore and I'm lost af.

reading these comments, seeing how all of us are here to relive the memories this song brought us with the ones who arent on this earth anymore. its heartbreaking yet comforting to know we all arent alone in how much it hurts.. 😢

This is a gem. The 90's were the last great decade.

"I can't remember all the times I try to tell myself to hold onto these moments as they pass..." I have always loved that line.

My Pops passed away on December 22 2015. It's been a long December ever since. I only listen to this song in December. The last thing my Pops said to me before he left was "I wish I taught you to pray." I remember it because it changed my life!

Never heard of Counting Crows till I was desperately trying to make it through nursing school and would walk a trail around a lake where there were turtles and ducks. One spring evening, I heard "Take a Holiday to Spain" wafting across the water at one of my lowest points - all I wanted to do was help people in a good, solid, concrete way as a nurse and raise my kids with my husband and keep ourselves afloat. Doubted if I had the strength to do it. A wedding was getting set up beside the lake and the workers were playing Counting Crows. I had to research who the heck sang Holdiay to Spain, or was it a local group's stellar song that never got recorded? Then, I found Counting Crows and the fan group (way before social media) and CC music and this song. This song, for sure, was my secret theme song getting through clinical rotations in trauma and cardiac. Yeah...That was long before I got up the gumption to get involved in other areas and discovered the grace involved in hospice. Thank you, Adam, for just saying it as it is. I felt like I could crumble many days in clincial care in various nursing settings and when I came home learning how to become a nurse. My husband died not long after I became a nurse and I had no support whatsoever from his family. But, I had my license and I had a big heart, good skills, and my patients KNEW that I genuinely cared. Thanks for the music that got me there.

Sadly, they don't write songs like this anymore. A true masterpiece.

I listen to this song every year around this time. We've all lost so much. Family, loved ones, homes, and a little bit of ourselves that will never be a part of us again. But maybe this year will be better than the last...

I guess the winter makes you laugh a little slower,makes you talk a little lower about the things you not show her...damn do I love this line of the song!

I had a girlfriend in 10th grade and our 1st kiss was during this song. 25 years ago and it's still like yesterday, and I still kiss her everything I hear it. Of course now she's my wife and we have had 4 kids who love this song too.

Anyone here during Covid-19 thinking about how we hoped 2020 would be better???

I miss you mama ❤ maybe this year will be better then the last.

90s was biblical

"The smell of hospitals in winter" that did it for me 🥺

My son died this year so I don't think any year will be better for as long as I live.

I'm CC fan since DAY ONE... but this one hits me the hardest of all the songs. When you've lived through their music, each song hits differently, but this one was mine!!!! RIP Kellie

My best friend passed away last March. He had made me a mixtape cassette back in 2016. I didn’t have a cassette player at the time and I’d forgotten about it. I finally listened to until after he passed. This was one of the songs on it. I lost him as well as my childhood best friend this year. Praying and hoping for a better year. RIP Joey and Jeremiah.

2013 was long. Maybe this year WILL be better than the last.

What was cool about the Counting Crows is made it ok to have that cool side yourself, and the attitude is far less in the words than the delivery and feeling, it is about emotion, always has been, what they gave me in the 1990's cannot be repaid, this is an awesome band.

Sharon loved you guys, we saw you live in Charlotte NC. She died January 25th 2008. Thanks for the memories

Been reading through all the comments as I listen to this masterpiece that I have loved for many years and it occurs to me that music is the one thing that connects us all. We are all human, we all know pain and loss, and if we allow it, we hold onto the hope of a better year. Much love to you all.❤

I used to listen to this song when I was all angsty in high school. Now I'm 33 and still angsty. sigh

This song is a musical masterpiece period.

" The smell of hospitals in winter "😪 Still love this song after all these years !

“And it's one more day up in the canyons And it's one more night in Hollywood” Nice.

My beautiful son, I was hoping you'd see your first Christmas, but you left me before you could. All I want is to hold you once more, but I can't. I held you for the last time just 2 nights ago. You left me knowing you were and will always be my world. I love you, my son, my Autumn. Rest in peace.

I miss those days when you randomly turn on the local radio and hear song like this instead of this pop shit today.

California (Monterey) was my home for many many years---3 years ago I left the state because it was dying all around me....even now when I make the trip back to see family I think about this song and how it frames my sense of hope and my sense of loss.

Ahhh....the good ole' days💯💙

Man this one still hits harder than most. To those who know what loss really is. Love and respect to you all. Hold her close.