Six Autumn Songs for Contemplating Life

Autumn has often taken on a darker, more contemplative atmosphere than other seasons. The falling leaves, cooler weather and shorter days conjure feelings of transition and the passage of time.

Music has always been very good at capturing that cyclical fall feeling. Many an artist has written a song or two that reference autumn’s features in metaphor for life’s changes and time’s passage.

Now that the cool air of autumn has finally taken hold, Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, is taking a look at some of the best reflective autumn songs. Here are six that will have you contemplating life itself.

1.       Guns N’ Roses, “November Rain”: One of two hit ballads for Guns N’ Roses, “November Rain” talks about love and loss, comparing it to a “cold November rain.” Sometimes you need to walk in it alone to find yourself and feel something, yet whatever is bothering you will eventually go away. (video)

2.       Green Day, “Wake Me Up When September Ends”: “Wake Me Up” has become one of Green Day’s most iconic songs, and it’s also one of their saddest. Written about the passing of Billie Joe Armstrong’s father, the song equates summer’s passing with the loss of innocence and a longing for spring’s renewal. The song also deals with the passing of time, jumping from seven to 20 years flying by in a matter of minutes. (video)

3.       Simon & Garfunkel, “Leaves That Are Green”: Another song about the passing of time, “Leaves That Are Green” mentions getting older and love never lasting all in one song. Tying the song together, the leaves are used as a metaphor for change, denoting that even healthy-looking leaves will turn to brown and die. (video)

4.       U2, “October”: “October” is one of the band’s shortest and most unassuming songs. Supported only by a simple piano melody, Bono sings about leaves falling from trees and “kingdoms” rising and falling as he contemplates a love interest leaving him. (video)

5.       The Cure, “The Last Day of Summer”: The Cure is known for being moody, but “Last Day of Summer” takes it further. The song talks about giving up on everything; love and trust, most likely because someone broke his heart. Since he now has nothing to believe in, the world feels cold. (video)

6.       The Vines, “Autumn Shade”: There are four versions of this song on four different Vines albums and all four of them are pretty contemplative and self-loathing. With the exception of the second, each song talks about missing the sun, sadness and wanting to sleep through it all. The second talks about how it is futile to know oneself, calling himself “transparent.” (video)

Autumn music often evokes the passage of time and life’s changes. Whether it’s through the imagery of falling leaves or cool and rainy weather, these songs do just that. Check these out let that fall feeling wash over you.

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Fall is the perfect time to check out Long Island’s top new independent record shop, Vinyl Bay 777. We have thousands of titles to choose from in an array of genres. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more. Drop by our Plainview store or shop online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.