[2026 Edition] A Roundup of Popular and Classic Western Songs to Listen to in September

You Can’t Control ItJack Johnson

Jack Johnson – You Can’t Control It (Official Audio)

A single released in September 2017.

Since it came out in autumn, the sound somehow feels like a pleasant breeze is blowing.

The music video shows short sleeves on a sandy beach, but I can’t help recommending it for the end of summer and the beginning of autumn.

September GrassJames Taylor

James Taylor – September Grass

James Taylor, a quintessential American singer-songwriter, has left behind a wealth of beloved classics and hit songs that continue to be cherished by many.

While he helped lead the singer-songwriter boom of the 1970s, he’s also known as a master of the acoustic guitar.

Here in Japan, too, countless listeners have admired his warm vocals and the expressive tones of his acoustic playing.

In that spirit, I’d like to introduce “September Grass,” a perfect song to savor in September that beautifully showcases Taylor’s voice and acoustic guitar.

The track opens his 15th album, October Road, released in 2002, and carries a nostalgic, bittersweet feel—evoking the sense of lying in a grassy field in September, after summer has ended, recalling the faint memories of a distant romance.

It feels like more than just a seasonal transition; it suggests a metaphor for life, moving from summer to autumn, and then sensing the approach of winter.

As the lyrics suggest, if you enjoy a drink, try listening to this song with a glass of apple wine in hand!

Mr.WhiteKhruangbin

Khruangbin performing “Mr. White” Live on KCRW

Khruangbin are a Texas-based trio.

Influenced by Thai funk, they captivate with a deep funk sound reminiscent of The Meters.

Even as instrumentals, their music never feels lacking.

Their melting tones set the mood for those wistful nights at summer’s end.

September SongLamb Of God

Lamb of God – September Song (Official Lyric Video)

Known for their intensely heavy sound and critical messages toward society, Lamb of God’s track is featured on their October 2022 album Omens.

Powerfully addressing the cycles of war and violence and the repetition of human history, the song harnesses groove metal elements to deliver a message that leaves a deep impression on listeners.

With the direct expression characteristic of an American band and performances that showcase the members’ high level of skill, it captivates heavy metal fans and doesn’t let go.

It’s a recommended track for those who are conscious of the world’s current issues or who want to cleanse their spirit with aggressive music.

Flaming SeptemberMarianne Faithfull

Flaming September

It’s a song sung by Marianne Faithfull, a singer from London, England, whose father was a university professor and whose mother came from a distinguished Austrian aristocratic family, with ancestors linked to the Habsburgs and Leopold von Sacher-Masoch.

The song is included on her 1995 album “A Secret Life” and evokes a mood that hints at the arrival of autumn.

Autumn LeavesNat King Cole

Nat King Cole Sings Autumn Leaves on The Nat King Cole Show

Autumn Leaves is famous as a jazz standard.

Because many well-known jazz artists have covered it, there may not be that many people who are familiar with the original version.

The song was composed in 1945 by the French artist Jacques Prévert.

Coming right after World War II, when entertainment was highly valued, it quickly became a global standard number.

This time I’ve chosen Nat King Cole’s version, and one highlight is how his deep voice beautifully captures the fleeting nature of autumn.

Come SeptemberNatalie Imbruglia

Natalie Imbruglia Come September

A masterpiece that strikes listeners’ hearts with a voice that blends translucence and poised sincerity, interwoven with dramatic strings to create a beautiful sound—Come September.

It’s the closing track on Natalie Imbruglia’s second album, White Lilies Island, released in 2001, and a fitting medium-tempo ballad to conclude the record.

Some may even think of this song when they hear “Western music for September.” It’s unclear whether the “she” in the lyrics refers to a specific person or to Imbruglia herself, but while portraying a protagonist facing adversity, the song declares, “When September comes, everything will be all right.” If you’re looking to make a fresh start in September, or if your summer didn’t go so well, listening to this song might give you the courage to move forward!