[2025 Edition] A roundup of popular and classic Western songs to listen to in September

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!

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!

A Lonely SeptemberPLAIN WHITE T’S

A Lonely September – Plain White T’s

If you’re familiar with 2000s Western music—especially the emo scene—you probably remember the name Plain White T’s.

Though they actually formed in 1997, most people think of their massive 2006 single “Hey There Delilah,” which topped the U.

S.

charts.

That song, with its unadorned, sincere vocals, beautiful melody, and superb songwriting, became their signature—and it’s perfect for early autumn listening.

But today I’d like to introduce a track that explicitly takes September as its theme: “A Lonely September.” It appears on their second album, Stop, released in 2001, before they broke big.

One listen to the simply strummed, rough-hewn acoustic guitar and the melody sung over it makes it clear their gift for melody was already fully formed.

As the title suggests, the heartbreak in the lyrics is achingly poignant.

If you’ve had a similar experience, you’ll definitely relate!

September Fadesralph

September Fades

Ralph’s music, with its sweet, bittersweet vocals and nostalgic melodies, really sinks into the heart.

The Canadian singer-songwriter’s September 2018 release features a captivating sound inspired by ’80s synth-pop.

The lyrics deftly capture complex emotions—struggles with unwavering love and an awareness of one’s own imperfections—gripping listeners as they go.

The music video was filmed at a 1950s motel in Toronto, unfolding four different stories across four different rooms.

It’s the perfect track for early autumn evenings when you’re in a contemplative mood.

SeptemberRoy Blair

September

As a song to listen to in September, when the summer heat begins to ease, I’d like to introduce a track by Los Angeles–born singer-songwriter Roy Blair.

Featured on his debut album Cat Heaven, released in December 2017, the song captivates with a unique style that blends indie pop and alternative R&B.

Its lyrics portray lost love and deep reflections on past relationships, while its melodic, dreamy sound leaves a strong impression.

The track carries messages about youth, self-discovery, and life’s uncertainties.

It’s a perfect recommendation for the start of autumn, when you might find yourself reminiscing about summer memories that have just slipped away.

SeptemberThe Shins

September

A song distinguished by the poetic lyrics spun by James Mercer of the American indie rock band The Shins and the warm tones of acoustic guitar.

Included on the March 2012 album Port of Morrow, it presents a deep meditation exploring the complexities of love and human relationships.

Mercer’s distinctive vocals gently sing of an ever‑changing, unpredictable world and the enduring power of love nonetheless.

This piece evokes the importance of facing oneself and the hope found within relationships with loved ones, making it a perfect track for a sentimental autumn night.

September When I First Met YouBarry White

Barry White – September When I First Met You

The song “September When I First Met You,” with its memorable lyrics that rhyme “September” and “Remember,” was released in 1978 by singer-songwriter and producer Barry White, who gave the world many hits with his velvety low vocals and romantic melodies.

Included on The Man—released the same year and given the Japanese title Netsui Namida (“Hot Tears”)—this nearly seven-minute, lavish number blends quintessentially ’70s gorgeous strings and funky guitar chops with White’s sweet, sultry voice.

Along with lyrics that seem to reminisce about a September day when the protagonist first met someone who felt like destiny, it truly stands as a masterpiece worthy of the “Maestro of Love.”