The days are getting shorter, the leaves are turning orange, football is back and the weather is turning colder. The blood rush of the summer is over, and it’s time to get back into the quiet, reflective months of the fall and winter.
The changing of the seasons also comes with the changing of listening patterns. That means a fall playlist is an essential thing to have, other than a flannel, of course. To me, the perfect fall playlist is a contemplative one. Reflective songs about past relationships, family and football, of course, are an absolute must.
Here are 10 tracks that are a must-have on any autumn playlist.
1. Something in the Orange – Zach Bryan
I mean, come on, I couldn’t not include one of the biggest country songs of the past year that literally has “orange” in the title. I don’t know if there’s much else to add; it’s Bryan’s biggest song to date. Like all of Bryan’s songs, it’s an incredibly poetic one about how he’s grappling with a past relationship. His co-dependency is shown throughout it, begging his lover to stay throughout the track. Bryan’s use of metaphor, likening the orange in the sunset to his constant thoughts of his lover, is outstanding. It once again proves why he’s one of the genre’s premier songwriters working today.
2. Mountain Song – Flatland Calvary
Mountain Song feels like a warm blanket on a cold fall night around a campfire. Between the warm, acoustic production and the mountain setting, the track transports you to a quiet night out in nature. It urges you to take a trip out into the woods (or mountains), make a fire and be one with nature. Cleto Cordero’s soft vocals wrap a bow on this lovely, Western track.
3. Cranes of Potter – Charles Wesley Godwin
If you’re looking for the perfect song to add to your Halloween playlist, look no further than Cranes of Potter. Being one of the most underrated artists and songwriters in the genre, Charles Wesley Godwin has multiple tracks that could have made this list. However, Cranes of Potter is the standout track from Godwin’s deep discography. Godwin creates a post-Civil War world in which a promiscuous mayor’s daughter, Claire, finds herself caught up in a love triangle. Claire is preyed upon by the town’s lunatic, Jeremiah, who eventually kills Claire in a jealous rage and is hanged as punishment. Between Godwin’s brilliant lyrics and vocals and the simple acoustic production, the track is a must-listen. You can read the story behind the bone-chilling track here.
4. Indian Summer – Brooks & Dunn
Indian Summer takes the nostalgic route and reflects on a warm, football-filled fall and a budding romance. Written by Kix Brooks, Ronnie Dunn and Bob DiPiero, the song is filled with strong, imagery-filled verses that give way to a simple, driving chorus. The final verse concludes the story between the young couple, signaling that the relationship lasted well past the titular, “Indian Summer.”
5. Boys of Fall – Kenny Chesney
Also appearing in our football song list, Boys of Fall is the perfect love letter to the sport. It’s a nostalgic love letter to the game that so many Americans bond over every single fall. Written by Casey Beathard and Dave Turnbull, the song goes far beyond the gridiron. It captures the small details of what makes the sport so special to so many people, from the small towns enamored with it to the sense of brotherhood between the players, football is more than a sport to many. Boys of Fall captures this feeling perfectly.
6. Caroline (feat. Belle Plaine)– Colter Wall
Much like Mountain Song, Caroline is another song that exudes a feeling of warmth. From Wall’s baritone vocals to the low notes hit on the acoustic guitar, the track feels heavy. Lyrically, it’s a gorgeous one, reflecting on a lost love who has passed away. Belle Plaine’s gentle vocals harmonize beautifully with Wall’s, making it a perfect song to sing around a campfire with your partner.
7. Fire Away – Chris Stapleton
Stapleton is an artist who was built for the fall. Nearly all of his songs could have been included on this list; however, I ultimately decided on Fire Away. Much like Something in the Orange, it’s a reflective song. Here, Stapleton plays with the concept of his love causing him a great deal of pain. Despite this, he’s still willing to give it another shot. His powerful vocals completely dominate this brooding song.
7. Sunday Drive – Brett Eldredge
The entire album, Sunday Drive, could have easily made the list; however, the title track perfectly encapsulates the album as a whole. It’s a reflective, piano ballad that urges the listener to appreciate their family and all the lessons that have been passed down to them. Eldredge reminds us all that time is fleeting, and we only have so much time with the ones we hold dear. I urge everyone to take a drive out on a backroad, turn on this track and appreciate their upbringing while listening to this tender track.
8. Country Squire – Tyler Childers
There’s something about Childers’ older albums and the fall that just pair together like flannel and a bonfire. Unlike many of the songs on this list, Country Squire is just simply fun. Childers paints a picture of wanting to build his wife a better place to live. However, he has to spend his nights in a barroom, playing for tips in order to make his dream a reality. It’s a simple, sweet song that makes me want to go out on a brisk Saturday and start building something.
9. Heart Like a Wheel – Eric Chruch
There’s something about Desperate Man that just feels like the fall. Much like Mr. Misunderstood, it’s Eric Church at his most reflective and cynical. Heart Like a Wheel, however, is a break from cynicism, and is a fairly straightforward love song. In typical Church fashion, he notes the differences between him and his wife, playing with the “opposites attract” concept. Between the heavy guitar riffs and the smooth chorus, the track comes together perfectly. There’s something special about this song (and album) being played on a gloomy fall day that simply warms the soul.
10. Colder Weather – Zac Brown Band
As a final sendoff from the fall into the winter, there’s no better track to capture the turning of a new chapter like Colder Weather. It’s a heartbreaking one, depicting a broken relationship and a man who doesn’t want to settle down. The dynamic nature of the band’s early albums is on full display in this ballad; the piano-led first half leads the way into a stunning bridge. The band’s harmonies also add to this track’s beauty. Ultimately, it’s a song all about past mistakes and grappling with the aftermath of them. Colder Weather serves as the perfect bridge from the fall to the winter.
Honorable Non-Country Mention: Born and Raised (Reprise) – John Mayer
I’d argue that John Mayer’s 2012 album, Born and Raised, is more country than 75% percent of mainstream releases nowadays, but that is an article for another day. From the harmonica to the twangy electric guitar in the background, Born and Raised (Reprise) is a delight to listen to. It makes the perfect background for a sunny fall afternoon or a campfire singalong.