The days are falling shorter. There’s a slight breeze in the air carrying hues of reds, oranges, yellows, and browns. The crunching of leaves echoes throughout the streets. Millennials rush to buy Starbucks’ signature Pumpkin Spice Lattes. Retail stores begin to display Christmas decorations far too early, capitalizing on eager shoppers ready for the holiday season. Yes, the fall season is officially here.
In celebration of the autumn weather, I’ve carefully curated a playlist with songs that embody fall and help bring the season to life.
There’s a little bit of everything on this list: folk songs from the late 60s, 90s rock songs, indie love songs, and maybe an occasional pop song here and there. I also wanted to highlight artists and songs that have flown under the radar but perfectly encapsulate fall vibes. Some tunes might be familiar, others maybe not. However, all these songs evoke (in my opinion) curling up under the blanket with a good book or diving into a leaf pile. As you listen to these songs, maybe you’ll find some new favorites to add to your fall playlist.
So, as you’re putting on your favorite sweater, flannel, or scarf, hit play on these songs and embrace the crisp autumn air as it tickles your skin. Or take in the smell of pumpkin spice and cinnamon as it wafts through the air.
No matter how you enjoy spending the fall season, here are some songs to add to your playlist to make the perfect fall soundtrack.
Songs perfect for the fall season
1. “Harvest Moon” by Neil Young
Perhaps known for his no. 1 hit “Heart of Gold,” Young’s music is the definition of fall, and “Harvest Moon” is no exception. If you search up a fall playlist on Spotify or Apple Music, this song is most likely on every playlist (and rightfully so!). It’s a staple autumn anthem.
Named after the full moon that signals the autumnal equinox, the folk rock song explores two lovers dancing under the moon. The gentle strums of the guitar and mellow harmonica solo emulate the fading evenings. A simple dance with a lover and the leaves crunching under your feet.
2. “Choking on Flowers” by Fox Academy
Fall is most known for its feelings of coziness, but it also brings out a sense of nostalgia. As the sun pierces through the trees, shedding their summer coats, I can’t help but reminisce on past memories. “Choking on Flowers” perfectly captures those feelings of nostalgia as the breeze becomes a bit more bitter.
3. “Reunion” by Korea Girl
On “Reunion,” lead singer Elizabeth Yi grapples with bitter memories and mixed emotions after being invited to a high school reunion. The acoustic vocals mixed with electric guitar, as the singer reflects on past memories, give off a fall landscape and nostalgia.
4. “The Thrill Of Loneliness” by Hana Stretton
Stretton’s song is short and melancholic. The strumming of the guitar overpowers the singer’s vocals throughout the song, but it captures the bittersweet melancholy fall brings. Throughout the song, one can imagine walking through the trees as leaves scatter along the ground. Just you and the sounds of nature.
5. “Leaves That Are Green” by Simon & Garfunkel
Simon & Garfunkel are a perfect duo to add to your playlist (if you haven’t already). Although all of their songs give off fall vibes, “Leaves That Are Green” seems to encapsulate the emotions and atmosphere of the season the best. The folk song uses the metaphor of the leaves changing colors to symbolize the passing time and change.
6. “Love Songs on the Radio” by Mojave 3
In this indie song, the singer is captivated by an “angelic” figure and mentions the longing and dreams associated with romantic relationships. “She looks just like an angel / When she walks across the room / She shines tonight / Her golden light is everything I need.” The mellow and dreamy sound of the song encapsulates the quiet, gentle, and melancholic atmosphere autumn brings.
7. “Clementine” by Elliot Smith
Based on the American folk song “Oh My Darling Clementine,” Smith’s version of the song tells of a drunk man mourning the demise of his relationship, while the bartender sings the old folk song. Although the song is painfully honest, the rustic strums of the guitar and Elliot’s gentle vocals create an image of spending fall in the countryside (or maybe a bar).
8. “Don’t Delete The Kisses” by Wolf Alice
In this sappy love song, Wolf Alice grapples with her fear of commitment and love, eventually forgetting the doubts plaguing her once she’s fully infatuated with her lover. The longing and hope the song explores complements the romantic cliches and warm emotions associated with fall.
9. “When We Are Together” by The 1975
The entirety of The 1975’s Being Funny in a Foreign Language feels like a fall/winter album. However, “When We Are Together” fully embraces the fall season. In the melancholic folk song, singer Matty Healy reflects on his previous relationships. The acoustic vibes of the song fit the coziness that the fall season brings.
Appreciation for the fall season
Besides the pumpkin spice latte drinks and apple cider scented candles, autumn is a truly special season. The changing colors of the leaves and cozy atmosphere are often overshadowed by the anticipated arrival of the winter holidays and the freedom the summer season gives students. The fall season is not appreciated enough.
One of the main reasons fall is so underrated is because it’s not as flashy as other seasons. Spring is marked by the buzzing of bumblebees as flowers begin to bloom, summer days are long and the skies are painted with a vibrant hue of blue, and winter is consumed under heavy snowfall and the celebration of festivities. Fall can also be seen as a depressing season. The nature that bloomed in the spring and summer is disappearing. The hues of purples, pinks, and greens are gone and replaced by browns, reds, and yellows.
Although autumn might seem like a depressing season, it has so much more to offer. The weather is close to perfect, not too hot nor too cold. The trees shower you with confetti as you walk under them. It’s the perfect time to bake pumpkin pie and cozy up on the couch to watch Fantastic Mr. Fox or When Harry Met Sally. The season marks the beginning of something new, and there’s something oddly nostalgic about it. In short, autumn is simple and relaxing.
Autumn is a fleeting season; it never stays for long. Enjoy it while you can.
