Songs you'll want to listen to in autumn. A selection of recommended hits from 80s Western music!
The Western music scene of the 1980s, boosted by the birth of MTV and the evolution of synth sounds, was a period that produced countless massive hits still loved today.
Here, we’ve put together a selection of songs that are especially perfect for listening in autumn.
Of course, we’ve included tracks that directly take autumn as their theme, but we’ve also selected smooth adult contemporary tunes and sentimental ballads that suit the season’s atmosphere.
We’ve even highlighted some hidden gems, so be sure to find the autumn songs from the ’80s that best match your taste.
Songs you’ll want to listen to in autumn: A selection of recommended 80s international hits (1–10)
In the Air TonightPhil Collins
Phil Collins, also renowned as a member of the progressive rock band Genesis, also gained global popularity as a solo singer and has won numerous awards, including Grammys.
Among his works, the one I especially want to listen to on a long autumn night is the track that marked the beginning of his solo career.
Its quiet, minimal synth sound creates a cool atmosphere with a certain tautness.
Infused with the anger and sorrow stemming from his own divorce, the song’s famously explosive drum fill in the latter half seems to brilliantly express the release of pent-up emotions.
Released in January 1981 from the landmark album Face Value, the track is also known for its memorable use in the TV series Miami Vice.
It’s a sentimental song that’s perfect for a contemplative autumn evening.
Here Comes The Rain AgainEurythmics
Eurythmics, the British duo that gained worldwide popularity with synth-pop in the 1980s.
Annie Lennox’s androgynous allure and striking vocals are truly unforgettable.
Among their works, a track from the classic album “Touch” is perfect for an autumn mood.
This song is a sentimental ballad that overlays an unstable romantic relationship with the image of unending rain.
Its blend of orchestral and synthesizer sounds evokes a poised beauty amid melancholy.
Reaching No.
4 on the U.
S.
charts when released as a single in 1984, it’s a heartrending piece you might want to listen to alone, quietly, on a rainy autumn day.
Don’t Dream It’s OverCrowded House
There’s a ballad that’s perfect for those somewhat melancholy moments of an autumn evening.
It’s a classic by the Australia- and New Zealand–born band Crowded House.
Released in October 1986 from their debut album “Crowded House,” this track became a global hit.
Its gentle, wistful melody carries a warm message that resonates: don’t give up on your dreams, even in difficult times.
The song’s introspective, tender atmosphere may quietly accompany the sentimental mood of fall.
It was even used in a New Zealand tourism campaign—be sure to check out this beautiful piece.
The Killing MoonEcho & the Bunnymen
Echo & the Bunnymen are a post-punk band from Liverpool, England.
With their grand sound and literary lyrics, they left a strong mark on the music scene of the ’80s.
Among their many classics, this is the one you’ll want to hear on an autumn night—a track that reached No.
9 on the UK chart in 1984.
Featured on the masterpiece Ocean Rain, it fuses post-punk tension with neo-psychedelic drift, creating an eerily majestic beauty.
The cello’s plaintive melody and the guitar tones shimmering like moonlight pair perfectly with autumn’s crisp air and quiet.
Its dramatic lyrics, themed around inescapable fate, were also used in the iconic opening scene of the film Donnie Darko.
It’s a work I highly recommend for those who want to gaze at the moon and sink into contemplation on a long autumn night.
DriveThe Cars
The Cars, a band that took the world by storm with a sound that fused new wave and rock.
Their cool, synth-heavy style still captivates many fans today.
Among their works, the ballad from the album Heartbeat City is one to savor on an autumn night.
The song gently addresses someone who has lost their way, depicting a worldview where deep compassion mingles with resignation.
Bassist Benjamin Orr’s sweet, mellow vocals blend with the plaintive synth tones to deliver a poignantly moving experience.
Its iconic use at Live Aid in 1985 also makes this piece particularly special.
Spending an autumn evening alone, listening closely to this track—highly recommended.
LukaSuzanne Vega
Suzanne Vega, a singer-songwriter who represents the Greenwich Village folk scene, is known for her literary, intellectual style and maintains a devoted following in Japan.
Among her works, there’s a classic that perfectly suits the sentimental mood of autumn, included on her April 1987 album Solitude Standing.
Its breezy, accessible folk melody is striking, yet beneath it lies a heart-wrenching story told from a child’s perspective.
This contrast between brightness and poignancy curiously matches the faint loneliness of autumn’s air.
The song was a major hit, reaching No.
3 on the U.
S.
charts.
It’s a perfect listen for a quiet autumn moment alone.
If You LeaveOrchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, the British band known as pioneers of synth-pop, rose to popularity with a sound that fuses experimental electronic tones and pop melodies.
Among their works, the song introduced here is one that especially suits the autumn season.
Smooth synth textures envelop the track, suffusing it with a subtly wistful and fragile atmosphere.
The song explores the anxiety of standing at a crossroads in life and the loneliness of parting, and its sentimental theme aligns beautifully with autumn’s melancholy.
Released in April 1986, it was written specifically for the final scene of the film Pretty in Pink.
It’s a timeless piece, perfect for a long autumn night when you want to indulge in a slightly sentimental mood.