Month: September 2021

It’s fall, y’all! From songs filled with nostalgia to cozy fall feelings, enjoy these picks for the season by The LC Staff.

Read below to find out why our staff chose these songs then check out our Spotify playlist to listen on repeat.

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“Comptine d’un Autre été: L’Après-Midi” by Yann Tiersen

“It’s a French instrumental song from the soundtrack of Amelie. It gives me all the cozy fall vibes because it reminds me of leaves blowing in the wind.” —Jessica

“The Winner Is” by Little Olive and “Harvest Moon” by Handsome Ghost

“This is a tough one, given that I have a 15-hour long fall music playlist. I think I have to go with ‘The Winner Is’ by Little Olive. Or Handsome Ghost’s version of ‘Harvest Moon.’ They remind me of the beautiful, rainy fall days I used to love on the east coast. I’d listen to them while driving through hills of vibrant trees or huddling in a coffee shop with hot chocolate in hand.”—Rachael

“Psychotic Girl” by The Black Keys

“The song itself isn’t necessarily a ‘fall’ song, but it is to me. I discovered The Black Keys one fall while studying for midterms and listened to it on repeat for months! Every time I’ve heard it since has reminded me of that fall years ago. The piano sounds so mysterious and the folksy/bluesy rock sound really screams ‘fall’ to me. This song was a huge influence on my fall (and general) listening habits to this day!” —Holly

“The Trees” by Rush

“Trees seem to be most celebrated and appreciated at this time of the year when their colors change. Why not hear directly from the source and see what is going on in their world?” —Ben

“What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye

“Like many Americans, as the calendar turns to the fall, I am inexorably drawn to the sport of football. I recently discovered that the classic opening to one of the greatest albums of all time, Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On? features not one, but two Detroit Lions. Marvin was, of course, a Detroit denizen with his many hits for Motown whose love of the Lions was well known. What many don’t know is that before his military career, Marvin had played football in high school, and after striking up a friendship with several members of the team, even managed to secure a try-out for the Lions! This friendship sustained him during a dark time in his life. His duets partner at Motown, Tami Terrell, had been diagnosed with brain tumors after an onstage collapse in Marvin’s arms in 1967. At the same time she was dying, his brother Frankie returned home from Vietnam traumatized by the horrors he had experienced at war. Marvin felt like he could no longer sing or perform. It was about this time that two of the Motown songwriters approached him with ‘What’s Going On?’ Marvin was unsure, but when he shared the song with Lions wide receivers Lem Barney and Mel Farr, they insisted he had to record it. Marvin relented but only on the condition that they perform it with him. The two cut backing vocals for Marvin in the Hitsville, USA studios, and recorded the iconic dialogue that opens the album: ‘Hey! What’s happenin’?’ A link interwoven between great strands of American culture: protest music, Motown, and the NFL.” —Jack

The ESPN podcast detailing the story of Marvin and his relationship with the Detroit Lions: https://www.espn.com/radio/play/_/id/31502571

A 2019 remix video released by the Marvin Gaye estate highlighting the song’s relevance even today: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5TmORitlKk

“Dissolve” acoustic version by Absofacto

“For me, it takes all the original energy in the song and transfers it into a laid back and melancholic tone perfect for throwing on a sweater and getting cozy with hot cocoa mixed with some Irish Cream.” —DJ

“Apple Pie” by Lizzy McAlpine & “Big Black Car” by Gregory Alan Isakov

“Super mellow, acoustic, fall vibes. Excited for the playlist woohoo!” —Miranda

“Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard” by Simon & Garfunkel

“September makes me think of school starting, so my pick is Paul Simon’s ‘Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard.’ The Concert in Central Park is my favorite version.” —Robin

“Here Comes the Rain Again” by Eurythmics

“I’m not sure why this song makes me think of fall. It’s the kind of song you can play by a fire with a warm mug in your hand. Also, for me, this song reflects a great metaphor for change and the process we must go through to ensure our desires for the future are realized. I see this song foretelling of a change coming, much like a change in the seasons. ‘Here comes the rain again / Falling on my head like a memory / Falling on my head like a new emotion.’ Lyrically the song then shifts to stating desires that this change could possibly yield in the future. ‘I want to talk like lovers do / I want to dive into your ocean / Is it raining with you?’ Then, it’s as if the person realizes that the change on the way takes action now to make these future desires come to fruition. ‘So baby talk to me, like lovers do / Walk with me, like lovers do.’ Ultimately, I see this song reminding me that change is coming and it’s up to each of us to declare what we want from the future and then take the actions necessary to ensure we get what we want. May the coming change of seasons bring you and yours the things that you desire most.” —Victoria

“Sweater Weather” by The Neighbourhood

“The first song that comes to mind when I think of fall is ‘Sweater Weather’ by The Neighbourhood. I’m more of a summer boy myself, so I didn’t have a lot of songs on theme that I enjoy.” —Todd

“Town Called Malice” by The Jam

“The beginning of the song is so up-tempo, it puts me in a better mood.” —Liz

“Windmills of Your Mind” by Petula Clark

“I always have to break this song out in the fall because it reminds me of the passing of summer as we move on to the next stage of our lives. Bring on the fuzzy slippers, pumpkin spice and the nostalgic memories.” —Alison

“Closer” by Tegan and Sara

“Fall is my absolute favorite season! I love the feel of the crisp, cool air. While it does make for cozy nights, it’s the time of year where I feel I really come alive—I feel more awake and energized. It was so difficult to choose a song but I picked ‘Closer’ by Tegan and Sara because it’s filled with nostalgia and energy for me. The single was released just weeks before my now husband and I officially started dating in college in the fall of 2012 and is tied to so many emotions during that time. The song is also so upbeat and fun, and I feel like it matches the energy given to me by autumn. Plus, the lyrics are pretty literally talking about fall in my book: ‘The doors are open, the wind is really blowing / The night sky is changing overhead’!” —Taylor

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