When thinking of what songs I wanted to put in my Autumn song recommendations I tried to imagine the perfect songs for when it's cold and still dark outside and I'm walking through orange crunchy leaves on the floor. I also tried to think of a variety of genres so hopefully there are bits that everyone can enjoy.
Undone - The Sweater Song (Weezer)
Not many of these songs have any real relation to Autumn or the holidays surrounding it. I guess I subconsciously chose this one because of the fact it talks about a sweater. Weezer's self-titled album (the blue album) has become somewhat iconic. This specific track is heavy on the guitars in the chorus yet it is soft and quite slow-paced. When I'm imagining listening to this song in Autumn I'm imaging looking at of the window on a train, seeing dark clouds, and leaving a big city behind.
With a run-time of five minutes, it gives you plenty of time to escape into a different world. A good one for fans of alternative nineties rock.
Self Esteem (The Offspring)
On a similar wavelength to The Sweater Song, Self Esteem is a classic. Both tracks were released in 1994, a great time for alternative rock. I think the vocals in this really make it for me, the intro where they sing the riff is really unique and one that you can recognise straight away when flicking through a playlist. The Offspring are great musicians and I really couldn't fault any part of this track.
I'd like to imagine this is a better one for a not-so-nice walk in Autumn. It's rainy and windy and potentially a little bit too cold. With it being relatively fast paced it could definitely be useful to get to your destination quicker. I was torn between a few tracks from this album as I really think I associate a lot of nineties rock with winter approaching. If you like this try out Gotta Get Away and Come Out and Play.
Tomorrow Comes Today (Gorillaz)
Gorillaz's first album is a personal favourite of mine. This track went under the radar compared to hits like Clint Eastwood. It's their first single release and a great one. It's slower and softer than my previous recommendations but that doesn't take away from how strongly I recommend it.
The production of this album is incredible. It pulls from so many different influences. Whether you're into hip-hop, rock, or electronica there is something that can be taken away. The violin samples on the bridge are very much early 2000s to me, yet this track could've been released today. It's aged extremely well.
For this one, I'm imagining walking down the street alone in the dark. The sky is clear but you can't see the stars because of the streetlights. It isn't very late but it feels like it could be the middle of the night because of how quiet it is. The perfect time to reflect on everything and just really think about life.
How Soon is Now? (The Smiths)
The Smiths in general are Autumnal to me. They're moody and dark. They're able to create this atmosphere that feels maybe a little overdramatic to some people but exactly right for me. How Soon is Now? is really one of my favourites. As soon as it begins it brings you into this world they've created. Morrisey is one of the best singers if you want something which feels so important and almost cinematic.
There are so many lyrics from The Smiths that I really enjoy. 'I am human and I need to be loved, just like everybody else does' is definitely one of them. The music itself is really unique, especially at the time this was released. It turns out they ran the guitar track through three different amps to create this really cool reverb (I did in fact have to look this up).
This one is just quintessential Autumn to me. Think of a mixture of yellow, orange, and brown leaves coating the floor. Everything has a warm hew yet you're starting to wear your big coats and gloves more frequently. There's almost something nostalgic and emotional in the air. This track will only add to this vibe.
Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) (The Beatles)
As a massive Beatles fan I feel like I could give you a Beatles song for any time and any occasion. Rubber Soul as an album reminds me of this time of year. I specifically chose Norwegian Wood for a few reasons. First, the imagery created in the lyrics is cosy to me. It's also quite stripped back with acoustic. George Harrison introduced the sitar to the band around this time. Their influences were getting massively broader and moving away from the early years.
I think one of the best things about The Beatles is I know I'm going to get a track that's well crafted and really thoughtful. Everything feels quite intentional and with a combination of some of the best songwriters of all time and extremely talented musicians you know you can't go wrong. My only qualm is that it's only two minutes long, I've had to listen to it a few times in a row to fully enjoy what the song has to offer.
The Autumn scene for this one is definitely indoors. Sat in a comfy living room with an open fireplace. Maybe drinking something warm or eating a really stereotypical winter food like soup. I could imagine someone grabbing a guitar and playing this while everyone else sits around and watches. It's warm and cosy whilst the world outside grows darker and colder.