Pumpkin bread in the oven and sweaters pulled from the back of the closet are clear signs that fall has arrived—but nothing sets the mood quite like a great fall playlist. Think leaves crunching underfoot, cooler air moving through the trees, or that first cup of coffee on a chilly morning with music playing low in the background. Music a way of marking the season, and we've pulled together the very best fall songs to make it feel fully like autumn.
You'll find a little bit of everything here: '70s favorites that remind you of simpler times, '80s classics that make you want to curl up under a blanket, and even some familiar tunes you've probably heard on your favorite TV shows. One listen and you might catch yourself dreaming about diving into a leaf pile or heading to town for your first pumpkin spice latte of the year. Whether you're into newer favorites like Ed Sheeran’s sweet ballad "Autumn Leaves," timeless hits like "September" by Earth, Wind & Fire, or cozy classics like Carole King's Gilmore Girls anthem, "Where You Lead," there's something here that'll have you feeling fall in no time.
So grab your sweater, lace up those boots, and hit play on the best songs about fall while you head out to the apple orchard—or just enjoy an easy stroll down your street to take in the changing leaves. Either way, you'll have the perfect fall soundtrack ready to go. (Plus, so many of these songs make great fall Instagram captions!)
Head straight into fall with some more seasonal reads:
This one is as comforting as the dessert it's named after. Lizzy's soft vocals and storytelling pull you right into her world, and before long, it feels like you're sitting around the kitchen table with friends, laughing as something bakes in the oven.
This song has become the anthem of fall over the past few years. Noah Kahan’s lyrics capture that stretch of the year when summer is gone and winter hasn't quite started, which makes it hit differently once the leaves are gone.
This one feels like wandering through the woods on a gray afternoon. The strings and soft vocals wrap around you like a blanket, and before you know it, you're daydreaming about lanterns glowing in the trees.
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“I Remember Everything” by Zach Bryan & Kacey Musgraves
An instant classic from two powerhouse voices. It's raw and haunting, with a vibe that feels like sitting on a back porch in October as the leaves change around you.
Phoebe writes songs that cut straight to the bone, and this one is no exception! There's something about her voice over simple guitar chords that just sounds right in the fall.
There's a sadness at the heart of this song that makes it such a good fit for the season. It's about missing someone and a love that stays even when life changes—and those ideas seem to land harder when the leaves are falling.
This track has a moody and cinematic quality that matches the outdoors in autumn. Lord Huron's sound always feels tied to nature, which is exactly what makes this song perfect for long drives or walks when the air is crisp.
This song feels like reading through old texts you never deleted. It's quiet, simple, and perfect for walking home with your headphones in when the air starts to get cold
Conan Gray sings about young love and the sting of being overlooked, all wrapped up in a school setting that feels instantly familiar. The mention of Heather's sweater makes the track even more tied to fall, when the air turns colder and feelings hit a little harder.
The moment the first notes begin to play, you'll instantly picture the charming streets of Stars Hollow filled with crunchy leaves, coffee cups, and cozy sweaters. As the Gilmore Girls theme song, it captures autumnal comfort and nostalgia perfectly.
This dreamy track perfectly captures that magical moment right before sunset in autumn. You can practically see the warm orange and gold hues filtering through the falling leaves.
There's something inherently autumnal about Fleetwood Mac's introspective classic. Stevie Nicks' heartfelt vocals and acoustic melodies reflect fall's themes of letting go and embracing new beginnings.
If autumn had an official soundtrack, Norah Jones would headline it. This jazzy classic evokes visions of rainy afternoons and curled-up-on-the-couch coziness.
Autumn has a way of making us think about life's transitions—and no song captures that bittersweet reflection quite like this John Mayer classic. It's perfect for quiet walks under falling leaves.
If you've ever watched Twilight (and who hasn't?!), you'll probably recognize this one. It just feels like fall: quiet, a little moody, and exactly the kind of song you'd listen to while watching leaves drift from the trees.
Norah Jones could probably sing about toothpaste and still make it cozy. Thankfully, she's singing about something prettier here, and it sounds exactly like sipping tea on a chilly afternoon.
This song has that hazy, late-afternoon feel that just works in the fall. The harmonies are lush, the beat is steady, and it's one of those songs you can throw on in the background and never get tired of.
The title pretty much says it all. This song feels like crisp autumn air, crunchy leaves under your shoes, and holding hands for the first time. Sweet, simple, and just right for fall.