Often, when the cozy fall season comes around, the first thing that comes to mind is usually wearing wired headphones, going on a walk in a soft sweater while looking at the falling orange leaves around you, smelling the scent of pumpkin and cinnamon as the soft, cold air blows through your hair. You spot a crunchy leaf and begin to step on it but then you suddenly wake up and realize that it’s still hot out, no orange leaves, because you’re in Florida. The sun is still beaming and there’s not a single orange leaf in sight.
Don’t worry. There is still a way that you can still feel the joy of autumn without physically being in it. So if you’re in no-fall Florida, or even a place where the leaves do change colors, here is the perfect fall playlist that will make you feel like you’re on the set of Gilmore Girls.
“Dark Red”: Steve Lacy
As the heat starts to calm down, so do the songs. Taking a step away from “The Spins” by Mac Miller, we get closer to songs like “Dark Red.” Fall is the candle-lit, romantic season and this melody captures the dark atmosphere of the season perfectly. The mellow beat of the song will make you start to envision being in a pumpkin patch with a hot cup of apple cider.
“Cardigan”: Taylor Swift
Fall is THE “Cardigan Season,” whether you’re talking about the clothing item or this song. There’s nothing like pulling out your cardigan when it’s not too cold or too hot yet and wrapping it around you like mothers in movies. Even if that mid-chilly season doesn’t come to Florida until December, there’s still always an opportunity. This song captures that feeling of a little chill down your spine before the frigid season.
“Fade Into You”: Mazzy Star
Listening to “Fade Into You” feels like you’re fading into another universe. This song carries a melody that captivates listeners and makes them travel right to a comfy chair with a blanket, the window slightly open as the cool breeze squeezes through the small crack. The lyrics to this song are the epitome of romance. It’s a love so hard, you “fall” into it.
“Back to the Old House”: The Smiths
This nostalgic love song will get you thinking of any sappy rom-com from the early 2000’s. The gentle strumming and bittersweet lyrics will carry you to a place where memories fall heavy as a stark contrast to the crisp, light autumn air. It’s perfect for a rainy car ride, watching the droplets race down the cool window. It gives you the break to be sentimental and think back to the past.
“Moonlight on the River”: Mac DeMarco
The steady, dream-like quality of this song puts a picture in your mind of laying in the middle of a field, the distant sound of water flowing while the only light illuminating the area is the bright moon shining down on the plush grass. As you feel the leaves falling down, gently brushing your arm, you feel a sense of peace as the air begins to get colder. It perfectly captures the feeling of a comfortable silence.
“Brooklyn Baby”: Lana Del Rey
No fall playlist could be complete without at least one Lana Del Rey song. The complex notes of the song make for a moody shift in the songs. With her signature combination of romance and irony, paired with a mellow tune, it feels like walking through a big city when it’s quiet, headphones in, and a big sweater comfortably wrapped around you.
“Sweet Creature”: Harry Styles
This song provides the warmth needed in this chilly weather that feels like home. The strums of the guitar feels like a cozy bed, layered with lyrics that wrap around you like big blankets and pillows. It’s not just the feeling you receive but it’s the song itself that makes you want to wrap up with a pet or a person close to you on the couch while watching a movie.
“Lovers Rock”: TV Girl
“Lovers Rock” captures the sight of waking up to a thick fog in the early morning and driving through it. It makes you want to flip through old scrapbooks or photo books, looking back on family memories, with each page stained with love and longing. The aesthetic of the song pairs perfectly with a soft, golden glow of an early morning sunrise, the brightness blocked out by the haze.
“Beautiful Boy”: John Lennon
This heartfelt, bittersweet ballad captures precious little moments that make life beautiful. This song pours out a comforting feeling and the warmth of a tight hug. It reminds you to take a breath every once in a while and appreciate the hidden beauty of this darker season.
“Blackbird”: The Beatles
Not many songs carry the simplicity of “Blackbird.” The subtle power of this song feels like pancakes and bacon, drizzled with maple syrup on an early morning in a wooden cabin, the calm silence making the world seem slower and gentle. The theme of hope in this song, paired with the quiet picking of the guitar makes for a perfect listen on autumn mornings.
“Roslyn”: Bon Iver, St. Vincent
“Roslyn” is a haunting and beautiful song that ultimately ties the playlist together. Its delicate harmony and raw emotion makes for a perfect song for a brisk, calming walk on the quiet pavement. It gives a mysterious sense to this quiet season, matching it to a T. It offers a magical touch to the beautiful season.
Now that you have the perfect playlist for the autumn season, it’s time to put on your headphones, a cozy sweater, and take a walk around the park with a pumpkin spice latte in hand.
