33 Fall Songs, from Autumn Leaves to Sweater Weather

What is the most famous fall song?

"Autumn Leaves", made famous by Nat King Cole, is the most famous fall song, and "September" by Earth, Wind & Fire is the most played. "Harvest Moon" by Neil Young and "Sweater Weather" by The Neighbourhood are the favorites for a cozy autumn playlist.

Classic autumn songs

1. "Autumn Leaves", Nat King Cole: the definitive fall standard.
2. "September Song", Frank Sinatra: a Kurt Weill standard about the later seasons of life.
3. "Autumn in New York", Billie Holiday: the jazz standard of the city in fall.
4. "Shine On, Harvest Moon": the 1908 vaudeville classic.
5. "Harvest Moon", Neil Young: a gentle love song under a full moon.
6. "Moondance", Van Morrison: jazzy and perfect for crisp nights.
7. "Fields of Gold", Sting: golden fields and lasting love.
8. "Turn! Turn! Turn!", The Byrds: a season for everything.
9. "A Hazy Shade of Winter", Simon & Garfunkel: the turn from fall to winter, later covered by The Bangles.
10. "Urge for Going", Joni Mitchell: summer ending and the pull to move on.

Songs about September, October and November

11. "September", Earth, Wind & Fire: the feel-good classic.
12. "Wake Me Up When September Ends", Green Day: written about the death of his father.
13. "See You in September", The Happenings: a summer love waiting for fall.
14. "October", U2: a quiet piano song.
15. "October Road", James Taylor: a song about heading home.
16. "November Rain", Guns N' Roses: the epic power ballad.
17. "Fall in Philadelphia", Hall & Oates: an early Hall & Oates song.

Modern fall songs

18. "All Too Well", Taylor Swift: the ultimate fall breakup song.
19. "Cardigan", Taylor Swift: cozy and nostalgic.
20. "Sweater Weather", The Neighbourhood: the fall playlist staple.
21. "Autumn Sweater", Yo La Tengo: a hushed indie classic.
22. "Holocene", Bon Iver: a quiet song for cold mornings.
23. "Fade Into You", Mazzy Star: dreamy and cozy.

Cozy acoustic fall songs

24. "Into the Mystic", Van Morrison: warm and unhurried.
25. "Landslide", Fleetwood Mac: changing seasons and change in life.
26. "The Circle Game", Joni Mitchell: the seasons going round.
27. "Boys of Fall", Kenny Chesney: Friday night football in a small town.

Halloween and fall party songs

28. "Thriller", Michael Jackson: the Halloween essential.
29. "Monster Mash", Bobby "Boris" Pickett and the Crypt-Kickers: the novelty classic.
30. "Ghostbusters", Ray Parker Jr.: everyone shouts along.
31. "Somebody's Watching Me", Rockwell: spooky 80s fun.
32. "Season of the Witch", Donovan: moody 60s psychedelia.
33. "Time Warp", from The Rocky Horror Picture Show: the dance everyone knows.

How to build a fall playlist

• Morning coffee: "Autumn Leaves", "Into the Mystic" and "Fade Into You".
• Leaf-peeping road trip: "Harvest Moon", "October Road" and "Fields of Gold".
• Rainy evenings: "November Rain", "Holocene" and "A Hazy Shade of Winter". For more, see our songs about rain.
• Friendsgiving or a fall party: "September", "Moondance" and the Halloween hits.

Fall songs about the harvest moon

The harvest moon, the full moon closest to the fall equinox, has inspired songs for more than a century, from "Shine On, Harvest Moon" to Neil Young's "Harvest Moon" and the moonlit mood of "Moondance". See our songs about the moon for more.

Fall songs for a wedding

For a fall wedding, "Harvest Moon", "Fields of Gold", "Moondance" and "Autumn Leaves" fit the season beautifully, from the ceremony to a slow dance under string lights. For more ideas, see our first dance songs.

Autumn songs about letting go

Falling leaves make fall a natural season for reflection. "Landslide", "The Circle Game", "Turn! Turn! Turn!" and "September Song" are about time passing and accepting change, which makes them meaningful for a birthday that ends in a zero or a child leaving for college. For more, see our songs about change and songs about moving on.

Fall songs for kids

For a classroom or a family fall festival, start with the fingerplay "Five Little Pumpkins", then add "Monster Mash", "Ghostbusters" and "Time Warp" for a costume parade. Kids love anything with a dance they can copy.

Fall songs for a photo slideshow

For a family photo slideshow of hayrides, pumpkin patches and football games, "Harvest Moon", "Fields of Gold" and "Into the Mystic" carry about 150 photos with a warm, gentle feel.

Why autumn songs feel nostalgic

Fall is the season of endings and beginnings: summer is over, school starts, leaves turn and the year begins to close. That mix of warmth and loss is why so many autumn songs look back, from "September Song" to "All Too Well".

Songs for the rest of the year

When the leaves are gone, move on to our November songs, Thanksgiving songs and winter songs, or look back with our songs about summer.

A song for a fall birthday or anniversary

If someone you love celebrates in the fall, a personalized song can capture your memories of the season together: the apple picking, the football games, the first cold night by the fire. It makes a warm birthday, anniversary or Thanksgiving gift.

How to create a personalized song

1. Choose a style from 14 genres: acoustic, folk, country, pop and more.
2. Add their name.
3. Share three memories or things you love about them.
4. Review the lyrics and edit or regenerate them for free before any music is made.
5. Listen to 4 free 45-second previews and choose your favorite.

The full 3 to 4 minute song costs $24.99, or $29.99 for Premium with four full versions and editable lyrics. You get the MP3, a gift page and the lyrics as a PDF.

Give someone a song as warm as a fall evening: create a song and hear four previews for free.