Fall is one of my absolute favorite times of the year. Excuses to wear tights and sweaters and drink little seasonal lattes are some of the main things that keep me going in life. These 12 songs have been some of my favorites to listen to this fall. They each have some level of a toned-down acoustic vibe, and I’ve included a set of favorite lyrics from each one.
- “Hunter” by Ryan Beatty
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Cedar trees fall in the forest / Echoing the cardinal chorus / Every moving river has its turn
This song has a lot of forest imagery that reminds me of fall, from “frost covered meadows” to a “cardinal chorus” of birds. Its imagery of the natural world invokes a feeling of this story being larger and even more significant than just something from his personal life. It talks about the cyclical nature of the forest and the natural world and how this applies to his own life. Beatty’s whole album, “Calico,” has so much heart, emotion and mastery and has solidified its place since its May release as one of my favorite albums of all time.
- “Coffee” by Chappell Roan
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If I didn’t love you / It would be fine / I’ll meet you for coffee / Only for coffee
Ever since getting a job at a coffee shop, this song has been stuck in my head all day every day. Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, professionally known as Chappell Roan, is often known for her upbeat anthems, but she really shows her skills at writing more reflective and emotional songs here as well. “Coffee” is a heartfelt reflection on a relationship she keeps going back to in her head. Amstutz made a DIY empire with friends from her childhood summer camp and now plays in sold-out venues around the world.
- “My Love Mine All Mine” by Mitski
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Nothing in the world is mine for free / But my love, mine, all mine, all mine
From her latest album, “The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We,” this September release from Mitski Miyawaki is a beautiful exploration of love. This song isn’t about just one person like it might sound; it’s about the feeling of love and the act of loving someone. Miyawaki says that she moved around a lot as a kid and never really felt like she had something to herself, but the love for those around her has always been truly hers. This song, to me, also feels so calming and safe, which is everything I could ever want in a fall playlist.
- “Dream Song” by Samia
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There are six minutes of brain activity after the body’s dead / ‘Cause you get your dreams for free
This song kind of reminds me of a more grown-up version of something from Annie, with the main line being “you get your dreams for free.” Samia Finnerty treats each of her songs as a story, with vivid descriptions painting the scene and huge, looming questions like “Are you scared to die?” With a lot of upbeat songs along with songs containing heavier subject material on her album “Honey,” “Dream Song” feels like a breath of fresh air in the midst of partying the pain away. I saw her perform this one live on the stage with her openers (Tommy LeFroy), and it might have been the best three minutes of my life.
- “Birds Gave Up” by Orion Sun
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I never knew love (I never knew love) / Was something I dreamed of so much
This song is drowsy-feeling and gentle and feels like a perfect song for late summer or early fall to me. It’s a saccharine-sweet love song sung in Tiffany Majette’s soft, beautiful, and distinctive style.
- “Work Song” by Hozier
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If the Lord don’t forgive me / I’d still have my baby and my babe would have me
All of Hozier’s songs to me feel at least a little bit like fall, but I wanted to include just one song from each artist on this playlist. This one was so difficult to pick from Hozier’s impressive discography, but “Work Song” is calming and tranquil and is a perfect example to me of the most unapologetically sweet song. It really shows the security and stability derived from love similar to Mitski’s song.
- “cowboy like me” by Taylor Swift
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With your boots beneath my bed / Forever is the sweetest con
I have a really strong attachment to Swift’s 2020 album “Evermore.” This song centers around a con artist who seduces rich folks into giving them money. The protagonist finds real love at the end, though, with a similar “cowboy” or con artist. The really cool thing about this song is that it’s completely up for interpretation, and different listeners will hear the lyrics of this song in a different way. The lyrics “I’m never gonna love again” might mean that the protagonist has found a new love and will never love anyone else, or it could mean that they’re left heartbroken in the wake of being left by this trickster. “Evermore” is the perfect fall album to me, so it was so difficult to choose a song from here as well.
- “Apple Pie” by Lizzy McAlpine
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Home is wherever you are tonight
Lizzy McAlpine is making a name for herself as one of the most talented songwriters of her generation. This song, from her 2020 album, “Give Me A Minute,” has been a staple in my playlists for so long. The name as well as the acoustic guitar and the intentionally left sounds of the strings really give this song a fall vibe to me.
Julia Hedelman / Spoon - “Mia” by Snail Mail
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Lost love, so strange / And heaven’s not real, babe
This song is a heartbreaking recollection that reflects on a relationship that didn’t work out. Lindsey Jordan (using the moniker Snail Mail) clearly put her whole heart and soul into this song and its entire album, “Valentine,” from 2021. If you need a song that is acoustic, stripped down, and matter-of-factly sung but also has the potential to make you start bawling like a kid, then look no further.
- “Still Dreaming” by Raveena
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I don’t wanna lose that feelin’ / Sleepin’ in your arms, still dreamin’
I think that Raveena Aurora is one of the most talented musicians of our time. She shows off her amazing vocal, harmony, and songwriting skills in this song. “Still Dreaming” is nostalgic and relaxing and makes you start to wonder if you might just be in a dream yourself.
- “Lydia Wears A Cross” by Julia Jacklin
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Little sirens singing their songs / Where have the babies gone?
“Wears a Cross” is a really vulnerable song and goes into Jacklin’s own personal experiences with religion. It goes into her signature prose and paints an image in your head of different scenes throughout her life. The music video has a very foggy, faraway feel which to me is what earns it a spot on the fall playlist.
- “Pegasus (ft. Phoebe Bridgers)” by Arlo Parks
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‘Cause I need love like a body needs sugar / I need love
Coming in as the last song on this playlist, “Pegasus” is soothing and pretty and also has themes of stability and purpose being found in a relationship. Using the stage name of Arlo Parks, Anaïs Oluwatoyin Estelle Marinho writes some of the most poetic lyrics I’ve ever seen with a fresh and innovative style of production to create what I think is some of the most beautiful music ever made. From her latest album, “My Soft Machine,” this song reflects on a happy relationship and feels so cozy, dreamy, and heartwarming. An Arlo Parks and Phoebe Bridgers collaboration also makes my little heart so happy.
If you want to listen to these songs on your own Spotify account, here’s a link to the full playlist! I really hope that it helps to get you in the fall spirit and that you enjoy these songs just as much as I do!