Pumpkin patches, pumpkin painting, and farmers’ markets. Fall is the time of year when the leaves are changing (sometimes), and pies are baking, so what better to accompany that than good music? Romanticizing the fall season with a good drink and music makes late autumn nights at or the walk to first semester classes bearable.
There’s no better way to get into the autumn feel than 90s songs and music. Genres like alternative rock, dream pop, and shoegaze make you feel like you’re among the supernatural in a 90s television show like Buffy the Vampire Slayer or The X-Files.
As a music enthusiast, here are my top seven 90s songs that capture the eerie yet hopeful essence of fall.
“The Happening” – Pixies
“They got a ranch they call / Number 51.” The opening of this song sets up an existential atmosphere that references Area 51. Throughout the song, we hear descriptions of a UFO and radio accounts of the alien landing.
Not only does this song exude supernatural vibes, but it also feels like the transition between summer and fall. The song starts joyful and upbeat, but later shifts to a curious tone, taking on a creepy aura.
“King of the World” – Angelfish
Angelfish is a Scottish alternative rock band fronted by Shirley Manson before she joined Garbage. If you’re looking to get into moody gothic rock, you should look into this vastly underrated band. Most of these songs encompass a vampiric energy that makes you feel like the “King of the World.”
This song sets up the perfect ambiance for walking home on a cold autumn evening, feeling ready for what tomorrow brings.
“40 days” – Slowdive
Staring out the window and watching the scenery is how I imagine this song was intended to be consumed. Slowdive embraces shoegaze through its harmonizing vocals, instrumentals, and melancholic tones.
To me, this song focuses more on the somber, isolated feel of fall, when the weather gets cold, and the breeze starts knocking the leaves off the trees.
“Fine Friend” – Pale Saints
A continuation of the dreamy, shoegaze feel, “Fine Friend” encapsulates the underground 90s aesthetic. It’s something a protagonist in Charmed would listen to, perfect for a witchy playlist.
Pale Saints’ songs feel like a cozy, warm blanket and a scented candle, perfect for this season. To me, this song feels like a crisp Tuesday morning in the middle of October.
“Ghost Highway” – Mazzy Star
This pick is self-explanatory, with Halloween just around the corner. Mazzy Star’s discography works great around the holidays, from She Hangs Brightly to So Tonight That I Might See.
Unlike the rest of the band’s music, this song has a rockier, more upbeat rhythm. Hope Sandoval’s voice always has an ethereal quality that ultimately brings this song up a notch.
“Mayonnaise” – The Smashing Pumpkins
Obviously, the Smashing Pumpkins would end up on this list, regardless of their name. This band has one of the most iconic fall tunes, “1979.” Famously used in social media posts glamorizing the season, it’s a classic fall anthem.
Then again, that’s not the only song from their discography that screams fall. Mirroring the changing of the seasons and the time of letting go, the song “Mayonnaise ” touches on nostalgia and the pain of growing up, which is closely related to the change that fall represents.
“To Wish Impossible Things” – The Cure
Walking back home from a hangout with friends, deep in thought, is when I suggest you put this song on. A haunting track with emotional depth, blending classical and new wave, The Cure manages to invoke feelings once again with their music. To me, this track feels like late November and encapsulates acceptance and moving on. This song is the perfect end to a playlist or day.
Whether you’re a 90s enthusiast like me or new to the game, these songs should find a home on your playlist. These are just a few that I think are perfect for the season. However, there are many more from these bands that evoke similar feelings, and I encourage you to delve into them.
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