Deram of changing leaves, crisp mornings, and the distant smell of fireplaces with this Autumn Dreams playlist.
This Autumn Dreams playlist combines jazzy classics with relaxing modern ballads. It makes me think of cozy mornings with a hot cocoa or pumpkin spice latte, crisp afternoons in the yard, and then early twilight. It is a perfect background for wistful moments and daydreams of Fall.
Autumn Leaves is an English adaptation of the French song, Les Feuilles Mortes (“The Dead Leaves”) composed by Joseph Kosma. Johnny Mercer wrote the English lyrics (which differ from the original French). Throughout the 1950’s popular artists covered the song, and it is still a jazz standard to this day. My favorite version is this one from Nat King Cole (as well as his Frenchย & Japanese versions). As one of the most famous and recognizable songs about the Fall season, it is a wonderful way to start this playlist.
Time to sit at the window with a pumpkin matcha latte and enjoy the view. New York certainly has some of the most beautiful autumn weather in the country.ย
Another jazz standard (composed by Vernon Duke in 1934), this song has also been covered by many of the prominent artists of the time. With her sultry and soothing voice, Lady Day’s version is by far my favorite.
Nat King Cole has a plethora of songs about the season, so let’s listen to one more. Keep your lazy morning going with this gentle jazz tune. I enjoy the silly little lyrics about the changing weather and the chorus: “La-di-da-di-da-di-dum, ’tis autumn”
Early Autumn was composed by Ralph Burns and Woody Herman. Lyrics are by Johnny Mercer – who also did the English lyrics for Autumn Leaves. As with the others on this list so far, there are a number of notable recordings of jazz artists of the mid-20th century. Anita O’Day’s version is dreamy and wistful – another autumn morning in a cafe feel.
Autumn Serenade was co-written by Peter DeRose and Sammy Gallop. First recorded in 1945, it is yet another song that multiple artists have fallen in love with and covered.ย This version by Joanie Sommers is from 1963.ย
Let the fall-inspired lyrics and dreamy melody take you to the end of your peaceful autumn morning.
“Through the trees
Comes Autumn with her serenade
Melodies
The sweetest music ever played
Autumn kisses we knew
Are beautiful souvenirs
As I pause to recall
The leaves seem to fall like tears
Silver stars
Were clinging to an Autumn sky
Love was ours
Until October wandered by”
Let’s transition from a lovely morning to a crisp fall afternoon.
Myles Smith’s cover of Sweater Weather from The Neighborhood takes the alt rock feel of the original and turns it into a soothing acoustic piece. The bitter-sweet feel of the song is a little like Autumn itself. The fullness of summer has waned and now we head toward the cold of winter – but autumn has its own beauty.ย
Not to be confused with the classic song earlier in this list, Autumn Leaves by McKenna Grace was released in 2023 as part of her sophomore album of the same name. Both an actress and a singer, Grace is no stranger to horror – she has appeared in many horror hits, including The Haunting of Hill House, Annabelle Comes Home, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, and Scream 7. On her official website, she described the album:
This ep is about my first heartbreak, the first time I actually thought I was in love. Though looking back now it was a bit silly, I still felt all those things and my way to process through a hurtful silence was to write. I went from being best friends with someone to not hearing from them for a long time... Being left without closure is so confusing and upsetting so I channeled all my sad autumn feelings into this ep. I love fall ๐ and I love some good sad music, so what's better than an autumn heartbreak ep? This is for anyone who's experienced any kind of heartbreak, ghosting, love, silence, sad Fall. Anyone who's still waiting for closure, who holds onto things/memories for far too long, or anyone who doesn't know what to do with that couples Halloween costume now"
Released in November 2018, We Fell in Love in October is a song by Norwegian indie rockย singer-songwriter Marie Ulven a.k.a. “Girl in Red”. The song is about her first queer romance, a declaration of love for her first girlfriend. She described the creation of the song and meaning behind the lyrics in a 2018 interview for The Fader.
This song captures the romantic feel of autumn and hope of young love.
Folk art and traditions abound in the Autumn season, that is why this song’s folk-infused melody remind me of a Fall afternoon. The ballad is a tribute to the singer’s mother and describes a particularly cherished memory of an October day.ย
This is a cover of the 1968 song by The Beatles, written by Paul McCartney. While it does not have a direct connection to the Fall season, it reminds me of afternoons spend at craft fairs and harvest gatherings. I think of blackbirds perched atop kitschy scarecrows and bales of hay. It’s folk sound is a backdrop to an autumn afternoon spent wandering amidst the changing leaves.ย
On her Instagram, Sadie Jean said that this song was inspired by six years of dramatic occurrences all on the same (seemingly cursed) October date. Luckily, I don’t have any trauma on any October date, but I still appreciate the pensive and somber feel of this song – a bit like an autumn twilight.
“Leaves turn but people don’t change, they get older”
Our Autumn day is nearing its end. The sun has set and we are walking through a neighborhood lit by glowing jack-o-lanterns and the moon. A full moon is an icon of the Halloween season, so this song definitely gives spooky season vibes. It is also forever tied to horror-adjacent romance as a song from the Twilight soundtrack. It plays right at the films opening sequence.
Let’s finish up by the light of an Autumn moon with this indie-rock ballad. Featured on the Broken Bells’ debut album, blends some autumn imagery with a tale of growing up. It is a fitting way to end a nostalgic playlist about my favorite season.
Did you like it? What songs are on your Autumn playlist? Let me know onย Facebookย andย Instagram.
Need more Halloween & horror-themed tunes to get through your day?ย Check out more music and playlists here.
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