There’s nothing that relieves stress quite like walking around campus during autumn with a pair of headphones on. It takes you out of the world and places you in another perfect, romantic one, surrounded by pumpkin spice lattes and falling leaves. It is one of the most memorable, perfect feelings that is only achieved for a brief couple of months of the year. It’s between the stifling heat of summer and the freezing winters, where one can just enjoy the brisk cool air and breeze, before it becomes difficult to step outside. In order to achieve such a perfect feeling, it is my belief that the music one listens to is of utmost importance. Although all songs create essential moods and emotions, the perfect fall playlist and the feelings of reminiscence and joy that it brings cannot be topped. Here is my perfect fall playlist, that will transport anyone into a fall fantasyland and is perfect for your walks around campus during this delightful season.
- “There She Goes,” The La’s
There’s no better song to start out the autumn vibe than “There She Goes,” which somehow ties together nostalgia and modernity and makes everyone feel like they’re living their own Rory Gilmore dream. From the very first note, it is the epitome of autumn, immediately transporting the listener into a warm, fuzzy fall fantasy. It feels like sitting on the couch of your childhood home sipping warm apple cider with an excessive amount of blankets and perfectly sets the tone for the rest of the playlist.
- “Rockland,” Gracie Abrams
Abrams has a lot of mellowed and autumnal vibe songs, but her song “Rockland” may encapsulate the vibe best of all. The acoustic guitar plucking and gorgeous lyrics set the perfect tone for the season.
- “Ever Since New York,” Harry Styles
Given Fordham University’s picturesque location, the playlist would not be complete without a song referencing the gorgeous city of New York, and Styles’ “Ever Since New York” does it perfectly.
- “Can’t Catch Me Now,” Olivia Rodrigo
To continue the list comes a song that somehow captures the essence and mystique of fall. The light guitar and airy vocals, as well as the lyrics depicting leaving behind one’s past and haunting all those who’ve harmed us, all contribute to the tune, which feels like an autumn day and creates a really interesting and mysterious mood.
- “I Know The End,” Phoebe Bridgers
This calming yet cathartic masterpiece leaves the listener wanting more. Bridgers’ “I Know The End” captures the bittersweet emotions of endings and closure whilst keeping the listener open to applying it to whatever their own situation may be. Fall is such a reflective season that this song fits perfectly on the playlist.
- “Kiss Me,” Sixpence None The Richer
A fall classic that must be included, Sixpence None The Richer’s “Kiss Me” transports the listener into a feeling of leaves falling and being hopelessly in love. There is no other song that encapsulates the aura of fall quite like “Kiss Me.”
- “All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault),” Taylor Swift
The classic autumn song and feeling that every teenage girl aims to emulate every fall, Swift’s extended version of “All Too Well” feels like pumpkin spice lattes, flannels and walking around campus in the crisp autumn air. Even years after its release, it is still the song that comes to mind when any teenage girl thinks of fall.
- “The way things go,” Beabadoobee
Sticking with the theme of memories and nostalgia, Beabadoobee’s tune reminds us to move on from the past and move forward, still looking back at memories fondly, which fits nicely with the change but also the stagnance of fall.
- “When It Was Over,” Grace Enger
One of the most underrated artists in the industry, Enger’s acoustic songs fit the mood of fall so well, especially “When It Was Over” which even mentions the falling of leaves and the month of October.
- “Sparks,” Coldplay
This song is just incredible. No explanation is even needed — it fits every occasion.
- “All Falls Down,” Lizzy McAlpine
McAlpine and her acoustic masterpieces always prevail. Her song “All Falls Down” is heartbreakingly beautiful and contrasts yet complements the other songs in order to create a perfect mix of heartbreak and hope.
- “The View Between Villages,” Noah Kahan
Kahan’s indie folk vibe reminds the listener of fall in the best way, and this cut off of his album “Stick Season” emulates returning home for a break and realizing it is still as it is in one’s memory and the old emotions and nostalgia are still there. The reflective aspect, along with the gorgeous chorus, makes it an incredible fall listen.
- “Faded,” Suki Waterhouse
Up-and-coming star Waterhouse hits the reflection and change of fall right on the nose with this deep cut from her recent album “Memoir of a Sparklemuffin.” The imagery and tone go perfectly with the other songs.
- “American Teenager,” Ethel Cain
As the end of the playlist comes close, this song by Cain reminds the listener to embrace youthfulness and that they can change with the leaves and colors and live the way they feel best, truly taking in their teenage years.
- “Dreams,” The Cranberries
Ending the playlist on a happier, more hopeful note, The Cranberries deliver a song of wistful yearning but also happiness, with the ending feeling like a New England autumn with a warm cider in hand.
