When the seasons change: A playlist to greet fall

There are so many outlets people turn to for comfort in times of change: a night out with best friends, calling a loved one to hear some form of normality, or even indulging in hobbies that we never completely finished so many months ago. For me, it’s all of those, accompanied by an exceptional playlist.

Seasonal changes are the hardest to digest; we embrace them with open arms, but hesitate to take a step forward because of a fear of the unknown. We know what to expect in the coming months just like we do every year around the holidays, but there’s an unsettling feeling following it. You’re hit with nightfall in the early evening, walking through a type of cold that bites, and look up to see a gray sky that refuses to let the sun peek through.

A bandage to this phenomenon is music. Musicians find creative ways to explain specific pieces of humanity through lyrics and instruments. With or without trying, they have plenty of tracks that compliment leaving the summer months behind.

Here are three songs that bring earthy nostalgia, a timeless cover, and a comforting modern melody.

“Scarborough Fair/Canticle” - Simon & Garfunkel (1966)

A tune that comes to mind whenever the leaves begin to change is Simon and Garfunkel’s English folk ballad, “Scarborough Fair/Canticle.” The actual song predates Simon and Garfunkel by thousands of years; it’s a piece that’s been passed down by many generations dating back to the 14th century with no original owner, and the two musicians decided to put their own spin on the medieval story.

Beginning with the lyrical content, the actual theme of the ballad speaks of two lovers who cope with unrequited love. Both ask each other to complete tasks that are unobtainable, in hopes that one of them will match the other’s request. Listeners also hear the same four words repeated throughout: parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme. Each spice holds a witchy historical meaning. In medieval times, parsley was a symbol for evil, sage represented blessings of a long life, rosemary was often characterized by love, and thyme represented courage.

The meaning of this melody is subjective, but its vivid, fantastical imagery immerses listeners in a world of magic. for the listener. The acoustic guitar, harpsichord, chimes and haunting harmonies all transport us to an ancient, mythical landscape by immersing us in the escapism that accompanies cold weather.

“Harvest Moon” - Lord Huron (2018)

The next song is a familiar one from 1992 that exists on many fall playlists, but perhaps not this cover. Lord Huron’s 2018 rendition of “Harvest Moon” takes listeners back to a recognizable and comfortable past . While the singer of Lord Huron, Ben Schneider, has large shoes to fill to keep up with the original artist, Neil Young, he does an excellent job of staying true to the primary track, but his version introduces a modern twist through the use of synths and the exclusion of the harmonica. A lighthearted, autumnal feeling appears as the instruments create a state of contentment through the use of the harp, saxophone, and synths. Schneider and his bandmates add modernity to the piece through the elimination of the harmonica and the addition of a synth-soundscape, showing that this song can and will stand the test of time if adjusted appropriately.

The name of the song perfectly represents fall; the harvest moon is when the full moon is closest to the autumnal equinox. Aside from the legitimate explanation of the song title, the more subjective meaning is simply about two lovers dancing under the moonlight and enjoying each others’ company, something we all hope for in the upcoming colder months.

“All Shades of Blue” - Gregory Alan Isakov (2013)

The final song in review is “All Shades of Blue” by Gregory Alan Isakov released in 2013, featuring the acoustic guitar, banjo, violin, and cello. Going back to feelings of change and fear of the unknown, Isakov highlights how human resilience can heal loneliness.

The protagonist in the story holds onto memories to remind themselves that things won’t always be this way, and there’s hope for everyone who is willing to keep moving on. This theme reflects how many individuals bear the change in the seasons. Isakov reminds us to lean on our loved ones in times of doubt, and that our failures can’t stop us from growing as people. His last line amplifies the transition from summer to fall as he sings, “And our dreams on the windowsill, see those trees turning gold in the hills.”

For more seasonal songs grounded in themes of autumn, you can find my full playlist on Spotify here.