There are a number of signs familiar with autumn: chilly weather, Halloween, homecoming, colorful leaves, etc. Fall rolls in as quickly as it fades into winter, with the crisp air turning into a sinister threat of snow.
Even though it goes by fast, I always look back on this time fondly. Autumn is a perfect season to build community and become closer with friends due to all of the events clustered together at the beginning of the school year. I spend a lot of it waiting for the next best thing.
This playlist provides songs that encapsulate the anticipatory nature of fall.
Wildcat – Wyatt Flores
“Wildcat” by Wyatt Flores is a playful and expressive track off of Flores’ 2023 album, Life Lessons. It recalls Flores’ experience as the high school mascot for his hometown of Morrison, Oklahoma: “Cause I was 6-foot-five and soft on the outside, helmet too big for my head.”
As the first quarter of school continues, there’s nothing better than attending football games with a group of friends. Flores has a knack for creating visuals with his songwriting. He is able to capture the excitable spirit of a home game with ease: “In the night, the grass was bright/It was small town Friday night lights/And our hometown hero had an arm that couldn’t be concealed.”
Being in my senior year has put into perspective how fleeting the electric energy of a student section is. I’m sure that this song will turn nostalgic for me once I graduate. College football games will never compare to the feeling of cheering on McDaniel alongside my peers and friends that I’ve grown up with in Portland.
For now though, “Wildcat” is a reflection of the sports aspect of fall and will forever be one of the most palpable tracks off of Life Lessons.
Born to Run – Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen is—without a doubt—the voice of a generation. His lyricism is easily lost to the flashy rock elements incorporated into his albums, but his talent is undeniable.
“Born to Run” made its appearance in 1975 on Springsteen’s third studio record of the same name. It’s a track about journeying through the unknown possibilities and struggles of growing up.
I think “Born to Run” is exceptionally significant to my friends and I, as we navigate our futures and begin college applications. It seems as if every conversation I have with people my age turns into the looming topics of: “What are you majoring in?” and “Are you doing early admission?” and “Have you begun the enrollment process?” I never expected autumn to be a time of difficult decision-making, but that is what it has been for me.
Springsteen poeticizes this feeling through the opening lines: “In the day, we sweat it out on the streets/Of a runaway American dream/At night, we ride through mansions of glory/In suicide machines.”
Harvest Moon – Neil Young
“Harvest Moon” is the title track of Neil Young’s 1992 album. Young’s whisper-soft voice says the charming mantra: “Because I’m still in love with you/I want to see you dance again/Because I’m still in love with you/On this harvest moon.”
Though his writing is relatively simple, it holds a noticeable melancholic weight. It’s just an absolute classic. I have a lot of memories tied to “Harvest Moon” as well, like when my 
car’s alternator brokeat the beginning of junior year and my friend picked me up for school the next morning with this song playing from her stereo.
“Harvest Moon” is like serenity in a bottle. It’s peaceful and warm. Young is easily one of my favorite artists of all time. He’s able to create stunning motifs and truly emulate an aesthetic within his discography. When I think of fall, I think of “Harvest Moon.”
Luna – The Smashing Pumpkins
“Luna” from The Smashing Pumpkins’ 1993 record, Siamese Dream is quite similar to Young’s “Harvest Moon.” It’s repetitive, catchy, and hopelessly romantic. With a band name like The Smashing Pumpkins, it’s no surprise that they would end up on this list. Though they’re not in the usual genre I would listen to, I love this song and the very recognizable chord progression.
“I go along, just because I’m lazy/I go along to be with you/And those moon songs that you sing your babies/Will be the songs to see you through.” The lyricism is very wistful.
Lead singer Billy Corgan supposedly wrote this track following a verbal fight with his ex-partner. In the liner notes for Siamese Master, Corgan wrote, “I sing a love song in an empty room. It is for the moon. It can never be for the one you love.” I think this is meaningful because it contextualizes the emotion behind “Luna.” It’s a love song, but not.
From the hyped-up tune of “Wildcat” to the hushed harmonies of “Harvest Moon,” I believe each track is perfect for the fall season. Autumn is so exciting and calming at the same time, and I hope these songs show that dichotomy.
