Recommended Western Music for Autumn: Popular Autumn Songs and Hidden Gems [2025]

Such A Simple ThingRay LaMontagne

Ray LaMontagne – Such A Simple Thing (Official Audio)

A song by American folk singer Ray LaMontagne.

Centered on acoustic guitar, it’s a quintessential folk tune delivered at a mellow tempo.

The slide guitar in the middle and the warm snare drum evoke a nostalgic, comforting sound.

The emotionally charged vocals are another highlight, making this a track that carries a gentle, soothing breeze.

Cornelia StreetTaylor Swift

Taylor Swift – Cornelia Street (Official Audio)

American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift.

“Cornelia Street,” included on her seventh album Lover released in 2019, is a track distinguished by its languid, moody keyboard intro.

She’s well known for turning her real-life experiences into songs.

In the chorus of this track, there’s a line that goes, “I don’t wanna walk Cornelia Street again,” and what’s interesting is that this refers to the location of an apartment she actually rented in New York.

The bittersweet romance that likely unfolded there feels like a perfect fit for the autumn vibe.

Fallen LeavesBilly Talent

Billy Talent – Fallen Leaves (Official Music Video)

Billy Talent is a punk rock band formed in Canada in 1993.

This track was released as a single in 2006.

It became a hit in various European countries and reached number 29 on the charts in Canada.

The music video was directed by Dean Karr.

Autumn LeavesEd Sheeran

Autumn Leaves – Ed Sheeran

It’s a hidden gem whose arpeggios, played on a wistful acoustic guitar, and Ed Sheeran’s savoring, heartfelt vocals strike right at the heart.

Now a global top artist and arguably the most successful singer-songwriter since the 2010s, Ed is hugely popular here in Japan as well.

This track was included as a bonus on the deluxe edition of his landmark 2011 debut album “+,” so some of you may not even have known it existed.

As mentioned, it’s a song with a quintessential early-Ed simplicity in its arrangement, yet its unforced emotion and deeply moving melody are truly remarkable—a masterpiece that doesn’t exclude any listener.

Judging by the title alone, you might mistake it for a well-known jazz standard, but it’s unmistakably an original by Ed.

It’s the kind of song you’ll want to listen to on a quiet autumn afternoon as the leaves fall—be sure to check out the lyrics, perhaps with a bilingual translation, while you’re at it.

SeptemberEarth, Wind & Fire

Earth, Wind & Fire – September (Official HD Video)

The moment you hear that chorus melody with its gorgeous falsetto, most people will probably think, “Oh, I know this song.” It’s a massive hit by Earth, Wind & Fire, a funk band emblematic of the 1970s that achieved worldwide success, including in Japan.

It’s one of the band’s signature tracks and a true classic that’s always cited as one of the most famous disco songs in the world.

Interestingly, when you look at the lyrics, the song is actually about a man and a woman who meet in September and reunite in December.

In other words, September is sung about purely in reminiscence.

That said, if you want to spend the autumn season bright and cheerful, let this song’s funky rhythm blow away any melancholy vibes!

Late September DogsMelissa Etheridge

The Late September Dogs (Live At The Roxy)

Melissa Etheridge, who has won numerous music awards.

When it comes to songs you want to hear in the fall, isn’t “The Late September Dogs” the one? The title literally means something like “the dogs of late September.” The song is set in September and portrays the feelings of someone enduring sorrow.

Dogs appear in the lyrics, and they can be interpreted as a metaphor for the protagonist.

Why not give it a listen while letting your imagination roam?

My BelovedThe Banner Days

My Beloved

This is a song by the duo The Banner Days, distinguished by its striking opening arpeggio in a minor key.

The interplay of male and female harmonies is intriguing and has become one of their defining traits.

Together with the ensemble of acoustic instruments, it vividly conveys the song’s powerful worldview and its strong message.