20 Songs To Get You In The Fall Spirit

Well, it is officially fall!

Despite what the temperature says, it’s time to break out the jackets, layers, and lots of witchy sheer black – lace, mesh, chiffon, tulle, as much sheer black clothing as possible. Stores have horror movie displays and Halloween decorations out, American Horror Story is back on, and Pumpkin Spice is everywhere! It's the most wonderful time of the year!

One of the best parts of fall is seeing the way the leaves have changed, and the best way to do that is to drive (or walk) through wooded areas, with the wind in your hair and the sounds of the perfect fall playlist enveloping you as you go.

What is the perfect fall playlist, you ask? Well. . . .

I'm kidding. Mostly.

Honestly, the perfect fall playlist is going to vary, depending on each individual's personal taste. HOWEVER, I have put together my perfect fall playlist for you to check out. Hopefully, you will appreciate and enjoy it as much as I do. If not, I hope it at least inspires you to make your own!

1. "Rhiannon" - Fleetwood Mac

Come on. After that Misty Day gif, did you expect anything else?

This song, which focuses on the story of a Welsh witch, is a Fleetwood Mac classic. This particular performance of the song is highly regarded as one of the greatest moments in Rock history. In a documentary, Mick Fleetwood even said "Her [Stevie Nicks] "Rhiannon" in those days was like an exorcism." It's dark, eerie, and creates the perfect fall atmosphere.

2. "Want You Back" - Haim

Maybe it's just the aesthetic of the music video. Maybe it's Danielle's voice. I'm not sure what it is exactly, but something about this song just screams "OCTOBER" to me. I can't even pretend to understand it. All I can do is sing along while wearing my own leather jacket and boots.

3. "Library Magic" - The Head and the Heart

This song makes me want to curl up with a spooky book on a bench surrounded by fallen, colorful leaves. There are few things better than a good book on a cool fall day, and this song is the perfect background music for your reading time.

This live performance of it is even more breathtaking than the original. I didn't think that was possible, either, but I swear it is!

4. "Drive All Night" - NEEDTOBREATHE

This is absolutely one of those "driving down back-roads with the windows down" songs. NEEDTOBREATHE have some sort of magical ability to evoke a "hanging out by the bonfire" feeling with all their music.

5. "Gold Dust Woman" - Fleetwood Mac

Okay, yes, this song is about cocaine, BUT it also has that witchy, eerie feel that Stevie brings to all of her music. It's magical, and perfect for preparing for Halloween. And this live version is incredible, and proves that Stevie STILL rocks, even decades later!

6. "All Too Well" - Taylor Swift

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This song, man. It is the most heartbreaking, emotional thing Taylor Swift has ever recorded. It's also full of fall imagery - scarves, cold air, and maple lattes.

7. "Yellow Flicker Beat" - Lorde

This song is buzzy and a bit more electronic than most things on this list, but it still has a sort of fall-ish feel to it.

8. "Leather and Lace" - Stevie Nicks feat. Don Henley

This is one of the greatest songs ever. It's also named after two fabrics that are fall wardrobe staples! And, again, Stevie's voice brings an eerie quality to it that makes it perfect for fall!

9. "Two Evils" - Bastille

Will's guitar has that slightly creepy, "Hotel California" feel to in this song, which makes it feel like it belongs in an episode of American Horror Story. Dan's voice is also incredible!

10. "Born to Die" - Lana Del Rey

Much like Haim's "I Want You Back," I can't exactly explain why this song is so fall-ish to me. It just is.

11. "Dog Days Are Over" - Florence + The Machine

"Happiness hit her like a train on the tracks" accurately describes how I feel when it's finally fall!

12. "Ophelia" - The Lumineers

The folk-y sound of this song is perfect for long-sleeved floral dresses and old boots, and the lyrics are easy enough to catch on to for a bonfire singalong.

13. "Someone New" - Hozier

Natalie Dormer in a leather jacket is the perfect badass fall aesthetic.

Hozier's voice is absolutely incredible, and this song feels like another "curl up with a book on a November afternoon" track.

14. "Sisters of the Moon" - Fleetwood Mac

This is another mystical song that's (probably) about a witch from Stevie Nicks. This is the ultimate fall song, in my opinion. I even tell my sisters, "It's not really fall until I listen to "Sisters of the Moon" while wearing a jacket."

15. "Tompkins Square Park" - Mumford and Sons

Yes, I realize that this isn't the classic, banjo-shredding Mumford and Sons that we all love, BUT I think it's time we admit that their new sound is just as magical, and this Wilder Mind opening track is perfect for walking around campus in October, with a hot coffee in your hand and the anxiety of midterms drowned out by Marcus Mumford's voice.

16. "I Went Too Far" - AURORA

Most of the time, I tend to associate AURORA with Winter. Many of her videos even feature winter-y imagery! This one, however, just feels like fall. I don't have a specific reason why, it just does!

17. "The Island: Come and See/The Landlord's Daughter/You'll Not Feel the Drowning" - The Decemberists

This song is slightly creepy, a little weird, and a bit dark - all perfect descriptors for fall, as well!

18. "Little Black Submarines" - The Black Keys

The first time I heard this song was in Fall 2015. Since then, I have automatically associated it with fall! It also has that slightly eerie feel to it that many of the songs on this list have, which makes it fit in perfectly!

19. "Laura Palmer" - Bastille

This song is about Laura Palmer, the character from the television series Twin Peaks. The series is dark, twisted, and a bit creepy, and the song reflects that. And that heartbeat intro? *Chills*

20. - "Sara" - Fleetwood Mac

I know, I get what you're thinking at this point, after five different Stevie Nicks songs. . .

I wish!
Stevie Nicks is just PERFECT for fall, though! Her voice is so magical, and her witchy aesthetic is practically what the season is about! To me, 1970s Fleetwood Mac with Stevie on lead vocals just captures the essence of fall.

HAPPY FALL, Y'ALL!