Cozy or Commentary?: The Different Sides of Fall Music

Despite the fact that the trees haven’t really changed their colors yet, the smells and sounds of fall have begun to emerge. People have started to make their fall playlists on Spotify, carefully picking an aesthetic fall image to accompany their music—but what songs do they actually choose to put on their playlists? Do they choose the romantic songs that feel like a cozy sweater, pumpkin spice latte, and a cool breeze at the apple orchard? Or are their playlists filled with spookier music, songs with undertones of quiet social commentary or rebellion?

Some of Needham High’s favorite fall songs include “All Too Well” by Taylor Swift, “Sweater Weather” by The Neighbourhood, and “We Fell in Love in October” by Girl in Red. All three of these songs have a romantic feel, with themes from love to heartbreak, fully encompassing the fairytale-like atmosphere of fall weather. The fall songs popular here in Needham have airs of nostalgia and reminiscence that interweave with subtle notes of anticipation, allowing listeners to look back longingly at summertime while settling in the comfort of familiarity and preparing themselves for the ups and downs of the year ahead. 

Students like the comfort this type of fall music brings. “It just makes me happy,” one student responded when asked why they liked listening to fall music. “It gets me in the fall spirit,” another answered. Journalist Carla Stein shares sentiments similar  to Needham High students in her article “The 25 Best Songs About Fall to Add to Your Autumn Playlist” for PureWow. She comments on the melancholic tone in this form of music, saying, “Here's to starting off this year's sad girl autumn the right way” in regards to Taylor Swift’s “All Too Well,” her 24th pick. “Sweater Weather” by The Neighbourhood was her 14th pick due to its nostalgic and cozy feel. Girl in Red’s “We Fell in Love in October” came in at 17th with its romantic, date-night-type feel. All three of these popular fall songs have a  softer, calmer feel, one often acting to counteract the craziness of back-to-school season. 

However, not all “fall songs” share this lovey-dovey, calm, romantic vibe. Some rock tunes, like “Thriller” by Michael Jackson, “Zombie” by the Cranberries, and “Somebody’s Watching Me” by Rockwell have risen to the top of fall playlists as well. Any listener could point out the stark contrasts between the melancholic, gentle tracks and these faster, edgier songs. In many ways, the two different types of music are almost polar opposites; cozy fall pop focuses on acoustic timbres with undertones of nostalgia, while this rock genre is all about heavy drums and catchy punchlines that can sometimes imply deeper societal meanings. 

Take “Thriller” by Michael Jackson, for example. The timeless Halloween anthem, along with its iconic video, uses a commercial holiday to comment on our obsession with fear as a source of entertainment. Certainly seems to have a different purpose than the romance of the previously mentioned songs, right? The Cranberries’ famous song “Zombie” serves a similar social critique purpose as both an overt protest against war and a commentary on human desensitization towards violence. It takes a familiar Halloween monster, the zombie, and uses it as a symbol for mindless violence, as zombies don’t have brains. Another eerie Halloween song with a haunting, underlying message is “Somebody’s Watching Me” by Rockwell. This song from 1984 portrays a subtle sense of horror through its commentary on public surveillance, specifically how it constantly feels as though someone, most often the government, infringes on privacy causing a constant sense of paranoia. Seems like quite the opposite of Taylor Swift’s “All Too Well” or Girl in Red’s “We Fell in Love in October,” right? 

October itself consists of two major events: the leaves changing and Halloween. In itself, these two aspects represent the differences of the season: the leaves symbolize the beauty and romance in fall, while Halloween, with its costumes and sense of fear, demonstrates how people can use music to comment on societal issues. By hiding this commentary within an upbeat, slightly unnerving song associated with a popular, secular holiday, the message reaches more audiences, thereby spreading its influence. 

Needham High School loves its fall music, and it’s interesting to see how “fall music” can mean the romantic, nostalgic, cozy tunes of Taylor Swift, The Neighbourhood, and Girl in Red or it can refer to the edgier, unnerving, satirical songs of Michael Jackson, The Cranberries, and Rockwell.