Songs you'll want to listen to in autumn. A selection of recommended hits from 80s Western music!

If You LeaveOrchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark – If You Leave (Official Music Video)

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, the British band known as pioneers of synth-pop, rose to popularity with a sound that fuses experimental electronic tones and pop melodies.

Among their works, the song introduced here is one that especially suits the autumn season.

Smooth synth textures envelop the track, suffusing it with a subtly wistful and fragile atmosphere.

The song explores the anxiety of standing at a crossroads in life and the loneliness of parting, and its sentimental theme aligns beautifully with autumn’s melancholy.

Released in April 1986, it was written specifically for the final scene of the film Pretty in Pink.

It’s a timeless piece, perfect for a long autumn night when you want to indulge in a slightly sentimental mood.

LukaSuzanne Vega

Suzanne Vega – Luka

Suzanne Vega, a singer-songwriter who represents the Greenwich Village folk scene, is known for her literary, intellectual style and maintains a devoted following in Japan.

Among her works, there’s a classic that perfectly suits the sentimental mood of autumn, included on her April 1987 album Solitude Standing.

Its breezy, accessible folk melody is striking, yet beneath it lies a heart-wrenching story told from a child’s perspective.

This contrast between brightness and poignancy curiously matches the faint loneliness of autumn’s air.

The song was a major hit, reaching No.

3 on the U.S.

charts.

It’s a perfect listen for a quiet autumn moment alone.

DriveThe Cars

The Cars – Drive (Official Music Video)

The Cars, a band that took the world by storm with a sound that fused new wave and rock.

Their cool, synth-heavy style still captivates many fans today.

Among their works, the ballad from the album Heartbeat City is one to savor on an autumn night.

The song gently addresses someone who has lost their way, depicting a worldview where deep compassion mingles with resignation.

Bassist Benjamin Orr’s sweet, mellow vocals blend with the plaintive synth tones to deliver a poignantly moving experience.

Its iconic use at Live Aid in 1985 also makes this piece particularly special.

Spending an autumn evening alone, listening closely to this track—highly recommended.

OctoberU2

October (Remastered 2008)

U2 is a rock band that has won a record 22 Grammy Awards as a group—the most in the world.

As their number of Grammys suggests, they’ve produced an extraordinary array of hit songs.

Among them, a particularly recommended classic is October.

Its melody evokes the end of summer and the beginning of autumn, and the overall atmosphere is delicate and ephemeral.

If you want to gaze at the autumn sky and sink into a sentimental mood, be sure to give it a listen.

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Wicked GameChris Isaak

Wicked Game – Single Edit – Official Music Video

There’s a piece whose otherworldly guitar tone evokes the melancholy of twilight, as if translating it into sound.

The artist behind it is Chris Isaak, known for a style that revives ’50s rockabilly in the modern era and for his sentimental ballads.

The protagonist’s inner conflict—knowing he shouldn’t be drawn in, yet drowning in the irresistible pull of love—is rendered beautifully through Isaak’s sweet yet aching falsetto.

The reverb-soaked guitar, like wandering through a dream, instantly draws listeners into its world.

Though the track originally appeared on the 1989 album Heart Shaped World, it gained popularity after being used in David Lynch’s film Wild at Heart and became a major hit in 1991.

Isn’t it the perfect piece to listen to on an autumn night when you’re feeling wistful and reflective?