There is no doubt that the seasons have a sound. Summer has its bobby tracks and Winter is reserved for the slow croons of Holiday music covers. Yet Fall is folky—the kind of music you’ll listen to when pulling on your ankle boots, driving down colorful tree lanes and wishing your life was as picturesque the PSL you just posted to Instagram. Here are 20 songs for all those moments and all the other activities that make Fall the best time of year:
1. Ends of the Earth by Lord Huron
I picture a very happy hipster listening to this while sipping a seven-dollar Americano.
2. Strawberry Swing by Coldplay
Fun fact: This is one of the most relaxing songs ever recorded. Remember that when midterms roll around. Also, Frank Ocean did his own spin on this song, which is equally as good.
3. Young Blood by Birdy
It’s not every day a cover is better than the original, but alas Birdy nearly accomplishes it with this song. Really all of her albums are one big ambient hug—kinda hard to believe she released her first song at 14.
4. The One I Love by David Gray
Considering he is one of my favorite artists, it was hard to choose just one song by David Gray. But alas, the UK native brings a touch of relaxing British rain to every song he makes. This one in particular will definitely have you smiling and singing along in no time.
5. Girl You're Alright by Paul Otten
To be honest, a lot of the songs on this list come from the TV show Reign on the CW, with this one being no exception. You can find an entire list of all the songs in every episode online, and trust, it makes one killer playlist.
6. There She Goes by The La's
An oldie but a goody that will immediately make you want to watch The Parent Trap.
7. BTSK by MS MR
BTSK is one of the best off MS MR’s first album, Secondhand Rapture. A close second? “Hurricane.”
8. Hey Jude by The Beatles
One of the most iconic songs of ALL TIME. Sing around a campfire, or at the very least, the microwave while warming up hot cider.
9. Home by Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros
I’m pretty sure if the Pacific Northwest had a theme song it would either be this, or the opening song to Portlandia.
10. Fuel to the Fire by Agnes Obel
In a nutshell, Agnes Obel’s music is eerie. But hey, yours would be, too, if you had to live through her native Denmark’s rainy season.
11. Wasting my Young Years by London Grammar
Ugh, Hannah Reid’s voice. Truly, their whole If You Wait album is a treasure, especially their collaboration with Disclosure, “Help Me Lose My Mind.”
12. Until We Get There by LuciusIf you watch New Girl, you’ll know this song was used as the background music when Nick and Jess *finally* got together. And if you don’t watch New Girl, uh, why are you wasting your Netflix subscription.
13. DJ Khaled is My Father by Spooky Black
If anything, add this to your playlist because of the title. Hell, I know I did. Maybe this title lends a clue to why society thinks hipster millennials are ruining everything. But in the end, the song is good and ~chill~.
14. Heavy in Your Arms by Florence + The Machine
Everyone has their favorite Florence song, this one being mine. But let’s be real, any song of hers would be recommended by 10 out of 10 doctors.
15. Let's Get Lost by Beck and Bat for Lashes
Is it bad that I only know about this song because of Twilight? Oh, well. Sue me. It’s great.
16. Tether by CHVRCHES
Why do I feel like this song should be played during an intense moment on MTV’s Catfish? Give it a listen—you’ll see what I mean once the beat drops.
17. Starry Eyed by Ellie Goulding
Oh, Ellie before “Lights” and “Love me Like You Do.” Can we even remember such a time? This was the first song she EVER released, and it’ll be crazy once you hear how much her sound has changed over the years.
18. England by The National
I love this band, and when I found out they are from my hometown, I flipped. And then when they were on The Mindy Project, I all but expired.
19. Ordinary People by John Legend
Yes, John Legend sings more than “All of Me.” In fact, he sings “Ordinary People,” which interestingly wasn’t inspired by his relationship with Chrissy Teagan, but instead is just an observation of relationships in general.
20. Soul Meets Body by Death Cab for Cutie
Is the Fall really complete without Death Cab for Cutie? Most assuredly not.
