The weather is getting colder and it’s getting dark at 7 p.m. We all know what that means! Fall is finally here. With midterm season in full swing and Thanksgiving right around the corner, it is time to stop listening to the dance-y summer hits and switch over to to the chill and cozy jams for fall. Here are 10 songs to take your playlist from summer to fall.
1. “Rosie” by John Mayer
“Rosie” is John Mayer’s ode to an ex-girlfriend. He shows up drunk at her door and begs for her to let him in. The song has a sweet, slow, comforting melody to it and is perfect for some background music while you study.
2. “Die a Happy Man” by Thomas Rhett
If country is a little more your speed, Thomas Rhett’s charming tune about his wife will be a perfect addition to your playlist. The song details how, even if he doesn’t complete some of his life goals, Rhett would be able to die happy because he has his wife. This song is perfect for blasting in the car with the windows rolled down, belting out the lyrics on a crisp fall evening.
3. “Dreams Via Memories” by Ceramic Animals
With one of the catchiest choruses we’ve ever heard “Dreams Via Memories” should be added to everyone’s fall playlist. With a bit of a spacey theme, the Ceramic Animals may not be everyone’s first choice of artist, but “Dreams Via Memories” is surely worth a listen. If indie music is your cup of tea, put this on when you’re getting ready, cooking or doing any task that needs a bit of excitement.
4. “Cocoa Butter Kisses” by The Stairwells
If you’re more of a rap fan, but want to listen to something softer for the cozy season, The Stairwells’ acapella cover of Chance The Rapper’s iconic track “Cocoa Butter Kisses” may be for you. As the song is entirely acapella, it puts you in a trance with multi-dimensional voices acting as instruments. This track is great for listening to on your walk to or from class.
5. “Californication – Acoustic Guitar Cover” by The Man on Guitar
Completely lyric free, “Californication – Acoustic Guitar Cover” is a great add to any study playlist, especially if you’re a fan of classic rock. This cover doesn’t stray too far from the Red Hot Chili Peppers classic, but does create a more relaxing atmosphere. If you know the original, you’ll recognize the melody and be able to sing the lyrics over it, but you won’t be distracted by lyrics when you’re listening to this while writing your English paper.
6. “Bloodstream” by Ed Sheeran
Everyone has a guilty pleasure for Ed Sheeran, but this track is one of his more moody and unknown songs. Appearing as track number seven on Sheeran’s 2014 album “X”, “Bloodstream” is an eerie jam about Sheeran’s experience during an MDMA trip at a wedding he attended in Ibiza, though it’s almost impossible to tell from the lyrics. If you’re into embracing the spookiness of the fall season, and dark and moody songs are what you typically have on your playlist, “Bloodstream” is a perfect addition.
7. “Heart On Fire” by Jonathan Clay
One of the more unknown 90s acoustic jams, Jonathan Clay admits his affections for someone close to him in this track. If you’re looking for a more upbeat song to add to your fall rotation, this is the one. The lyrics and melody will have you itching to sing along immediately, and you can’t help but get into it. This track is great to jam to while you’re getting things done (as long as you can tolerate lyrics while you work!) Sadly, for all my Spotify users out there, the Jonathan Clay version is not available. However, the Scott Thomas cover is just as good!
8. “Forever and Always” by Parachute
Looking for a good rainy day song that is guaranteed to make you tear up? “Forever and Always” is the song for you. This song details the next steps of a woman who has just found out her fiance has been in a bad car crash. This track showcases a very sweet love story with a beautiful chorus that gets to you every time. Curling up on the couch and listening to this as it rains outside is the true definition of self-care.
Whether or not these songs are your cup of tea, the fall season is upon us (even though it has been 80 degrees most days here in SLO) and everyone needs some great fall jams to throw into their playlist!