The 25 Best Songs About Fall to Add to Your Autumn Playlist

I am so ready for fall. Seriously, what’s not to love about the season? We get breathtaking views of the colorful leaves, a chance to go pumpkin picking at our local festival and switch out our bathing suits for comfy sweaters. The only thing that could make it better? The perfect fall soundtrack. Whether you’re mapping out the perfect fall date or gathering your family and friends for a bonfire for a family song, I've got you covered with a playlist that will give you all the autumn feels. From Earth, Wind & Fire to Ed Sheeran, here are 25 of the best songs about fall to get you ready for the season. 

• Release Year: 1955 
• Notable Lyrics: Since you went away the days grow long/And soon I'll hear old winter's song/But I miss you most of all my darling/When autumn leaves start to fall 

This track—originally sung in French—has been covered countless times (by icons like Bing Crosby, Doris Day and Frank Sinatra, to name a few). But it’s Nat King Cole’s cover that has us slow dancing by the fire. Honestly, I think this is also the perfect track to help transition into winter, as Cole is a Christmas music legend in his own right.

• Release Year: 1956 
• Notable Lyrics: Autumn in New York, the gleaming rooftops at sundown/Autumn in New York, it lifts you up when you’re let down…  

After listening to this song, you’ll be tempted to book a trip to the Big Apple immediately. With Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong’s vocals and the jazzy beats, this track is an essential for any fall playlist. If you end up making the trek to the city that never sleeps for the season, I recommend playing this track while waltzing through any of these dreamy locations. It'll really set the mood for viewing the season's foliage—trust me.

• Release Year: 1963 
• Notable Lyrics: Through the trees comes autumn with her serenade/Melodies the sweetest music ever played

Nothing expresses a love for autumn like this ‘60s cover. The soothing vocals combined with the saxophone solo make it a track to listen to with a nice cup of warm apple cider in your hands. 

• Release Year: 1967 
• Notable Lyrics: Breeze blows leaves of a musty-coloured yellow/So I sweep them in my sack/Yes, yes, yes, it's my autumn almanac 

This rock classic will transport you to the U.K. in fall. Take a listen and you, too, will understand why singer Ray Davies was so inspired by his London neighborhood come autumn. It's the perfect rom-com track if you ask me.

• Release Year: 1978 
• Notable Lyrics: Say, do you remember/Dancin’ in September? 

OK, nothing reminds me of September like this classic bop and I always have to blast this catchy tune throughout the month. It’ll have you on your feet at any fall function (and I really hope you’re celebrating extra hard if it happens to be the 21st of the month).

• Release Year: 1978 
• Notable Lyrics: Through autumn’s golden gown we used to kick our way, you always love this time of year. 

Nostalgia reigns supreme in the fall and this ‘70s hit about remembering an old love will have you on a rollercoaster of emotions. I wouldn't recommend this one if you're going through fresh heartbreak because it will, for sure, bring on the tears. But hey, perhaps a good cry is in order?

• Release Year: 1991 
• Notable Lyrics: I thought I’d stop living, without you here to hold. But I’m not that lonesome and autumn’s not cold.

Heartbreak has nothing on Lorrie Morgan. If you’re recently going through a breakup, let Morgan’s vocals give you a sense of clarity and hope during the season with lyrics like “I thought I’d stop living, without you here to hold. But I’m not that lonesome and autumn’s not cold.”

• Release Year: 1993 
• Notable Lyrics: When Fall comes to New England/And the wind blows off the sea/Swallows fly in a perfect sky/And the world was meant to be. 

I don’t know about you, but every autumn I seriously pine for a trip to New England. I mean, home of the Lobster rolls and some of the best charming towns, IYKYK. If you’re looking for a song about fall that features colorful leaves, windy weather and wildlife, this ‘90s track fits the bill. 

• Release Year: 1997 
• Notable Lyrics: We could slip away/Wouldn't that be better/Me with nothing to say/And you in your autumn sweater

OK, this bop is less about the season itself and more about the season's sartorial staple. However, I guarantee that your friends will thank you for adding this singalong to the fall party playlist.

• Release Year: 2004 
• Notable Lyrics: Summer has come and passed/The innocent can never last

While this song is based on sadness and grief, it's still a song we jam out to whenever September rolls around. (And if you're thinking of watching the music video, we hope you have some tissues handy.)

• Release Year: 2011 
• Notable Lyrics: It’s harvest time in this little town/Time to bring it on 

Nothing says fall like spending time outdoors under the red moon. Luke Bryan channels autumn in a small farm town that I'm itching to visit one day. With lyrics like "There's peanut dust and corn husks driftin' through the air tonight. The marchin' band's warmin' up under the football light," Bryan really sets the scene of a perfect small town community.

• Release Year: 2011 
• Notable Lyrics: Do you ever wonder if the stars shine out for you?/Float down/Like autumn leaves

Grab a blanket, a good fall book and listen to the soft tones of Ed Sheeran. Let him sing (while the acoustic guitar plays in the background) as he talks about a special person from his past. I won't judge if you hit the repeat button.

• Release Year: 2012 
• Notable Lyrics: Stay with me through September/The summer didn't last/And there ain't nobody in New York City that could need you half as bad. 

Here, a country track that will make you fall in love with September. Corb Lund does a great job at convincing us it’s worth appreciating the start of the season. What's not to love, honestly?

• Release Year: 2013 
• Notable Lyrics: Cause it's too cold/For you here/And now, so let me hold/Both your hands in the holes of my sweater.

This indie track brings me back to when everyone used it to caption their Instagram posts in 2013. And who could blame them? The song screams fall, with lyrics that make you want to enjoy the crisp weather in a cozy knit. A true nostalgic tune.

• Release Year: 2018 
• Notable Lyrics: In this autumn town where the leaves can fall/On either side of the garden wall/We laugh all night to keep the embers blowing.

I found the perfect song to play at your next camping (or glamping) trip. It’ll also help you appreciate the changes in nature just a little bit more.

• Release Year: 2020
• Notable Lyrics: When you are young, they assume you know nothing

Honestly, I could make an entire playlist dedicated to Taylor Swift's fall-ready tracks alone. Her robust discography contains some of the best tunes for frolicking through foliage or mending a heartbreak. This one in particular comes from her surprise album folklore and feels like it belongs to the soundtrack of a fairytale.

• Release Year: 2018 
• Notable Lyrics: We fell in love in October/That’s why I love fall.

Looks like your date night just got a whole lot more romantic. This indie-rock song is all about falling in love with someone and how this sparked a greater appreciation for the season. I'm sure whoever you dedicate this song to will feel extra special when you play it for them. 

• Release Year: 2018 
• Notable Lyrics: Jacket weather, take my hand. 

With lyrics like, “Jacket weather, take my hand/See October in your eyes, feels like I just stepped outside…,” comparing love to autumn is probably the sweetest thing in the world. Romance and fall just go together; I don't make the rules.

• Release Year: 2019 
• Notable Lyrics: If she wants I will meet her there/At the parade or the harvest fair. 

A fall date to the fair? Sounds like a great idea to me. If you need a song to play on your way there, choose this 2019 hit. It's a great way to prep for the corn mazes, candy apples and Ferris wheels.

• Release Year: 1962 
• Notable Lyrics: Passe l'automne vienne l'hiver/et que la chanson de Prévert (Autumn passes, winter comes/And that Prévert's song)

One of the saddest and most beautiful songs about fall, this Serge Gainsbourg number talks about dying leaves and autumn turning to winter, which isn't exactly uplifting stuff, but boy, does it set the mood. Rest assured, you don’t need to be fluent in French to pick up on the melancholic fall vibes.

• Release Year: 1992 
• Notable Lyrics: Because I'm still in love with you/I want to see you dance again/Because I'm still in love with you/On this harvest moon 

Neil Young seems to be singing to himself in this nostalgic and oh-so-romantic tune. It also happens to be a calming lullaby that could make anyone drift off to sleep. Catch me dreaming of fall days.

• Release Year: 1996 
• Notable Lyrics: Pale September, I wore the time like a dress that year/The autumn days swung soft around me, like cotton on my skin 

Fiona Apple’s smooth and sultry voice is perfect for an autumnal soundtrack and this lowkey track is proof. Light some candles, pour a glass of wine and press play for a song about fall that’s sure to help you unwind. Adding this one to my sad girl autumn playlist immediately.

• Release Year: 2021
• Notable Lyrics: There's a picture of us/In a layer of dust/On the mantle/Right by my cigarettes that I smoke since you left 'cause you said you had to fly/In your October sky

Yebba tackles grief incredibly well in this folksy ballad. Honestly, her entire debut album Dawn is a must-listen for me as soon as the temperature cools and the leaves start to change. I play it on repeat throughout the season.

• Release Year: 2021
• Notable Lyrics: 'Cause there we are again on that little town street/You almost ran the red 'cause you were lookin' over at me/Wind in my hair, I was there/I remember it all too well

Dusting off Swift's Red album as the summer ends is one of my favorite ways to prep for the new season. And when the megastar rereleased 'Taylor's version' of the 2012 LP, she also gave us a more stripped-down rendition of her hit All too Well. Here's to starting off this year's sad girl autumn the right way.