[Autumn Songs] Songs of autumn. Classic tracks and popular favorites you’ll want to listen to in the fall.
Compared to the carefree fun of summer, autumn can make you feel a little lonely, don’t you think?
At times like that, what kind of songs do you feel like listening to?
I imagine songs with a mellow, slightly sentimental mood might really hit the spot, right?
In this article, I’ll introduce autumn songs that capture beautiful scenery—like autumn leaves, cosmos flowers, moon-viewing, and sunsets—along with a touch of wistfulness.
As they say, “long autumn nights,” I’ve picked out a variety of tracks, starting with ballads you’ll want to savor slowly on those long evenings.
Please enjoy!
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Autumn Songs: Classic tracks and recommended popular songs you’ll want to listen to in autumn (111–120)
Tokyo Sunsetback number
For those who find themselves layering a sentimental mood over the cityscape on an autumn evening, this classic by back number is highly recommended.
It delicately portrays the protagonist’s feelings as they struggle with loneliness and inner conflict in an unfamiliar city, yet try to find hope in the beautiful sunset unfolding before their eyes.
The song is included on the album “Chandelier,” released in December 2015, which topped the Oricon weekly chart for two consecutive weeks.
If you listen to it on your slightly chilly walk home when a sudden pang of loneliness hits, its bittersweet yet warm melody will likely wrap gently around your heart.
It’s a tender cheery anthem that seems to give you a gentle push—“Let’s do our best again tomorrow.”
Gray and Blue (+Masaki Suda)Yonezu Kenshi
This is a song by Kenshi Yonezu that drew huge attention through a collaboration with Masaki Suda, who also radiates overwhelming presence as an actor.
The track is included on Yonezu’s fourth album, “BOOTLEG,” released in November 2017.
Looking back on the bygone days of youth, this slightly sentimental piece is perfect for long autumn nights when the clamor of summer has subsided.
It depicts a yearning for those radiant “blue” days and the struggle of living in a “gray” reality, with the poignant feeling of missing an old friend you can no longer see conveyed through their two voices.
It’s a heart-tugging song that, when you listen to it as you recall happier times and feel a bit lonely, seems to awaken emotions tucked away deep in your heart.
When the cosmos flowers bloomBuzy
It’s a piece that feels like being blown by an autumn wind, with a bittersweet parting coming into view.
It’s a song by Buzy, a six-member female dance-vocal group, and it was included as the B-side to their debut single “Kujira,” released in 2004.
It’s a pop tune where the light, buoyant rhythm shines against a mature chorus work, but the lyrics dwell on lingering feelings for a former lover.
Even when you try to forget, it’s hard to move forward… I’m sure some of you know that kind of love all too well.
Autumn sky or an orange duskKanoerana
Kanoerana is a singer-songwriter who made her major debut in 2016.
When it comes to her autumn-themed songs, “Aki no Sora Mata wa Orenji no Yuugure” comes to mind.
Reading a bit of the lyrics first might make you brace yourself, thinking, “Is this a heavy song…?” but that impression should vanish once you listen.
The light accompaniment features refreshingly resonant guitar sounds, and the melody—sung with a bouncy rhythm—feels wonderfully pleasant.
In the latter part of the track, the lyrics turn bright and forward-looking, so be sure to listen all the way through while following along with the words.
The MoonFujihara Sakura
Sakura Fujiwara is a singer-songwriter whose music—infused with roots and world music—has earned high acclaim, and she is the daughter of bassist Koji Fujiwara.
Her digital-only single “The Moon,” used as the theme song for the animated film Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion II — Transgression, features a weightless sound and a soft vocal delivery that feels wonderfully soothing.
The lyrics, which portray the sorrow of people hurting one another for the sake of their own justice, seem to reflect not only the film’s story but also a timeless, universal theme for humanity.
It’s a sentimental number whose spacious ensemble evokes the image of the moon.
MPRINCESS PRINCESS
M, which shines in autumn scenery, is a ballad that quietly seeps into the heart.
Carried by Princess Princess’s warm tones, it reflects a sentimental longing for days gone by.
The light piano melody and delicate vocals bring a bittersweet feeling, like admiring cosmos flowers.
A complete turn from the liveliness of summer, this song is perfect for long autumn nights—you’ll want to listen while slowly soaking in nostalgia alongside the autumn leaves.
M is a gem packed with autumn’s wistfulness and nostalgia, and I recommend savoring the emotional shifts that unfold as the song progresses.
planetariumOtsuka Ai
On a quiet night like gazing up at a starry sky, “Planetarium” shines with a truly special presence as a song that nestles close to people’s hearts.
Its melody, flowing with the wistfulness mingled in the autumn air, makes you forget the bustle of daily life and gently soothes the listener’s soul.
On long autumn nights when time moves unhurriedly, the song’s softly rendered ballad feels as pleasant as admiring autumn leaves under the moonlight.
It’s a recommended track for moments when you want to calm your mind while sensing the change of seasons.
“Planetarium” will add color to your autumn and create nights that are a touch bittersweet yet warmly comforting.