I’ll be honest: I love fall rainy days. Truly, I do! There’s nothing like cozying up under some blankets, putting in your headphones, and just relaxing. Watching the rain bounce off and slowly trickle down the orange and red leaves is so entrancing that I can’t help but look and sigh in happiness. If you’re anything like me, this means enjoying the chilly and wet weather with the perfect soundtrack to match the day. What we listen to equally impacts our mood as much as the weather does! Whether you’re walking across campus, studying in the library, or simply unwinding after a long day, here are some essential songs to give you those good vibes.
“The Lakes” by Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift sings about love and escapism in Folklore’s bonus track “The Lakes.” Ms. Swift describes the Lake District in England, painting a picture of a melancholic yet lovely place to reside and take a break from reality. The opening orchestral section sets the tone of the track, with Swift’s quiet yet mellifluous vocals playing to the wistful nature of the tune. The strings in the background are reminiscent of raindrops slowly trickling down a window, allowing listeners to look at their surroundings and find a lake of their own.
“crystal – 2019 remaster” by Stevie nicks
In my opinion, Stevie Nicks is the unofficial queen of fall. Her witchy vibes create a sense of warmth and familiarness, while still playing into a playful sense of mystery. “Crystal” discusses a person’s experience of falling in love, and how there were always such crystal-clear signs that it was meant to be. Stevie’s hauntingly beautiful vocals, primarily accompanied by an acoustic guitar, create a hypnotizing effect that immediately draws listeners in. Nicks’ vocals soothe the soul as she reminisces about falling in love, providing the ultimate comfort song.
“I think I like when it rains” by Willis
Arguably the most obvious of song choices on the list, “I Think I Like When It Rains” by WILLIS is a mellow tune about how the singer feels during a rainy day. The song is very slow and chill, and a large draw to its serene nature is that it isn’t overly produced. A simple piano and steady drum beat keep the song upbeat yet still calm, creating the perfect laid-back song to listen to as it rains outside.
“home” by Michael bublé
On a more somber note, “Home” by Michael Bublé is a wonderful song to self-reflect on. The opening guitar sets the mood of the song, with Bublé’s heartbreakingly sad vocals describing how he’s been separated from his partner due to his travels. Bublé craves to be home with the one he loves, expressing how he feels like he’s living someone’s else life, noting how while everything is going right career-wise, he longs for his partner because she is the key to his happiness and success. Days come and go, but the longer he stays separated from her, the more he desires to leave and go home to her. The song’s sorrowful mood causes listeners to potentially think about their own lives and perhaps compels them to consider the direction in which they truly wish to go.
“don’t know why” by norah jones
A song very near and dear to my heart from my childhood, Norah Jones’ “Don’t Know Why,” is a soothing tune about heartache. The peaceful jazzy nature of the song initially distracts the listener from the sadness Jones ruminates on, singing about why she didn’t go to her (now) former love, and how she feels so empty. Jones describes her inability to invest in the relationship and accepts the fact that she will always love her ex, regardless of what happens in the future. The hopelessness in Jones’ vocals makes you want to look longingly out a window as the rain slowly drips down, perhaps even allowing listeners to recognize how we’ve all been in similar situations.
“Vienna” by Billy Joel
The opening piano riff of “Vienna,” one of Billy Joel’s most iconic songs, gives the listener a heads-up as to what is about to come. He sings about Vienna, Austria, the place his father moved to when Joel was a child. Vienna is a metaphor for growing old, and how it isn’t necessary to squeeze all of life’s greatest moments into your early years. There is so much time to enjoy the life that you’re currently living, and there is no reason to get overly stressed about trying to achieve the perfect life. Joel muses on the idea of growing up too fast and trying to get everything done at once, reminding himself and the listener that “you can afford to lose a day or two,” reinforcing the fact that rest is essential. His crooning is the perfect soundtrack to allowing yourself to take a deep breath and remember that everything will work out in the end.
“landslide” by Fleetwood mac
Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide” is one of the group’s more tranquil songs. Sung solely by Stevie Nicks, “Landslide” is another track about self-reflection. Nicks wrote the song while she was living in Colorado with bandmate and former boyfriend Lindsey Buckingham, writing about how her life has been changing so rapidly, and how it can change again at any second. Nicks paints a picture of the mountains, likening the pace of her life to that of a landslide, and how life was moving faster than she could handle. She questions what to do next and where to go, facing professional frustrations on top of her crumbling relationship with Buckingham. Stevie Nicks’ feelings of gloom and discouragement are prevalent throughout the track, ironically with Buckingham featured on the guitar. A true masterpiece of music, “Landslide” is a contemplative tune that warms the soul during those cold fall days.
“At Seventeen” by Janis Ian, covered by Dave and Violet Grohl
In 2022, during Dave Grohl’s annual Hanukkah Sessions, a week where he covers songs made and sung by Jewish musical artists, Grohl and his oldest daughter Violet covered Janis Ian’s hit, “At Seventeen.” Ian’s “At Seventeen” accounts how Ian never felt like she belonged in high school, describing how cruel her peers were and the rejection she faced from them. Ian sings about the different cliques in her school, expressing how those with “ravaged faces” like herself never got around to those with “clear-skinned smiles,” noting how there will always be some sort of difference between the two. Eventually, as high school ended, Janis Ian and the other “ugly ducklings” grew up and found success of their own, with the popular crowd still reliving their high school days, allowing Ian to realize these people no longer have power over her. Violet Grohl’s gentle singing, accompanied by Dave’s tranquil drumming, establishes a charming father-daughter relationship that shows the strength of their bond.
“in my life – remastered 2009” by the Beatles
The last song on our list comes from across the pond, courtesy of the Beatles’ sixth studio album Rubber Soul. Primarily written by John Lennon with the help of Paul McCartney, the song’s autobiographical lyrics focus on Lennon’s feelings of nostalgia towards the friends and lovers of his past. Lennon and McCartney sing about how such memories were important and impacted Lennon’s life, but also remind themselves how life wasn’t perfect back then, and to keep thinking about how nice the present can also be. People may come and go, and places may change, but the memories will always stay. Lennon’s wistful lyrics of his past build a solid base to accompany the soft pop-rock piano forward track.
Honorable Mentions:
“Show Me How” by The Foo Fighters
“Champagne Problems” by Taylor Swift
“The September of My Years” by Frank Sinatra
“Everything Has Changed (ft. Ed Sheeran) (Taylor’s Version) by Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran
“My Future” by Billie Eilish
“Tolerate It” by Taylor Swift
“From the Dining Table” by Harry Styles