So, we’ve prepared the “Summer is Over” playlist for everyone going back to school and work.
Ah, the sweet smell of acceptance. Acceptance that your break is over, the leaves will be changing, and you’ll have to start wearing mittens scarily soon. But, don’t worry – adopting this as your official “Summer is Over” playlist will bring you all the warmth you need.
Here’s a playlist that sounds and feels like fall:
1. Melissa – The Allman Brothers Band
The intro to this song is the sound of a sunrise. It’s just perfection. It’s like The Allman Brothers have the secret formula for a flawless composition. The instruments come together in such a warm way, but the lyrics are cold. It is the autumn of music.
2. Real Love Baby – Father John Misty
This song sweetly embodies the crave we all share for love. Even if you’re in a wonderfully fulfilling relationship, this song will make you feel included in something bigger. Indulge in it before cuffing season arrives.
3. English Graffiti – The Vaccines
The Vaccines’ music is so distinct. I imagine it as the sound of youth and adulthood colliding. This track is simple in composition, but each sound melts into each other for the perfect effect.
4. Green is the Colour – Pink Floyd
Honestly, I’d put Pink Floyd’s entire discography into this list if I could. Their music is absolutely brilliant on so many different levels. This song isn’t one of their top hits, but it’s extremely peaceful and well-composed.
5. Angela – The Lumineers
If your name is Angela, I can only imagine that you’ll listen to this song every night before you fall asleep for the rest of your life. There’s something so incredibly gentle, yet powerful about this song.
6. It Ain’t Me Babe – Joan Baez
I have a particularly soft spot for Joan Baez. Not only is she INCREDIBLY talented, but she’s been an activist for social rights for nearly the entirety of her life. She also was one of the few women who made it to the spotlight alongside the likes of Bob Dylan, The Grateful Dead, and more. During a time when the rock/folk industry was dominated by men, she paved a way for the future women entering the scene!
7. She – Ed Sheehan
I will never NOT miss pre-2012 Ed Sheeran’s discography. All of it is so soothing, sounding like it’s just him and his guitar by the fire. This is the type of song I listen to as I pour my coffee in the morning, or right as the sun is setting and the weather is getting colder. Listening to it is like grabbing a warm mug with cold hands – soothing perfection.
8. Carolina in My Mind – James Taylor
Yes, I threw James Taylor into this mix. No, I’m not your mom’s age. James Taylor’s music is perfection and it makes everyone feel happy and warm, so deal with it. Put this song on while you’re prepping for Thanksgiving with your family and/or friends – everyone will love you for it.
9. Home Again – Michael Kiwanuka
Michael Kiwanuka captures the innocence and grace of an old-timey coming of age song. I seriously couldn’t believe that I was listening to an artist of our generation. Sometimes I forget that thoughtful artistry in music isn’t extinct in our time. He sings about home, which to me, is the warmest, coziest place on earth. AKA exactly where I want to be when it starts getting chilly outside.
10. New York’s Not My Home – Jim Croce
This song is so thoughtful and relatable. Jim Croce basically managed to put every young person who moved to New York’s thoughts into one gorgeous and peaceful acoustic melody. If you’re going through it, having some realizations about where you’re at in life, and want to feel like you’re not alone – listen to this song while sitting in a park during autumn with a warm drink. It’ll be blissful.
11. A Horse with No Name – America
America describes the nature surrounding them as they’re riding a horse through the desert – is this a metaphor for something? I’m sure it is. Regardless, this song is a BANGER. Seriously, everyone loves it. Just listen to it this fall while driving through the country and enjoy the scenery of the changing leaves.
12. Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right – Bob Dylan
Something about Bob Dylan just shrieks “AUTUMN” to me. His aesthetic, aloofness, brooding poetic persona may be then human embodiment of a changing season. This song in particular, is a gentle farewell to a broken relationship. Dylan accepts the change of path in his life, as the season accepts theirs. This song has always been my own “Summer Is Over” playlist in itself… on loop.
13. Coming Apart – The Wackers
In my opinion, The Wackers are the most underrated rock band in history – equally, if not more talented than their famous rock counterparts. Their entire discography is absolutely magical, and this song is no exception. The sound of the leading vocals and guitar is crystal clear, and the backup vocals just make the entirety of the song sound angelic.
14. Harvest Moon – Neil Young
Neil Young truly outdid himself with this song. I think every person I know feels some type of way when they listen to it. The acoustic guitar, soft percussions and harmonizing vocals send shivers down my spine!!! Also the lyrics are just…. so beautiful. If singing about love under a harvest moon doesn’t get you thinking about autumn, the music video definitely will. It depicts a room of people in a cabin-in-the-woods type of bar falling in love, and they’re all either wearing denim or plaid.
When music embodies autumn as beautifully as this playlist does, it isn’t so heartbreaking that summer is over.