[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] Songs of Autumn. Classic tracks and recommended popular songs to listen to in autumn (141–150)
Fall feels emoKyūso Nekokami
Kyuso Nekokami is a five-piece rock band expanding their fanbase with songs characterized by deeply relatable lyrics.
“Aki Emoi,” included as a B-side on their 3rd single “Wakatten da yo,” features a band ensemble highlighted by a synth sound that feels both airy and translucent.
The lyrics evoke scenes of summer ending and autumn setting in, capturing the heart with realistic, true-to-life imagery.
It’s an autumn-tinged track whose contrast between a driving beat and a wistful melody lingers in your ears.
Waltz of the Passionate Moe CosmosTakamiyamaki
Released as the B-side to the third single “Blue Butterfly,” which came out in 2003.
It is also included on the 2015 release “Golden☆Best Maki Takamiya Itoyū no Onna.” Pay attention to the dramatic string arrangements and her expressive power, said to span five octaves.
autumn and winterMizue Takada
Singer Mizue Takada, who debuted as an idol after becoming the 18th Grand Champion on the audition show “You Are the Star!”, is known for her 22nd single “Shūtō” (Autumn/Winter), a cover song that has been performed by various artists throughout the 1980s.
The lyrics, which depict a lover’s changing emotions along with the shifting seasons, grow more poignant as time moves from autumn into winter.
It’s a wistful number whose melancholic vocals and ensemble stir the heart.
[Autumn Songs] Songs of Autumn. Classic tracks and recommended popular songs to enjoy in autumn (151–160)
Autumn songKAN
Singer-songwriter KAN, whose 8th single Ai wa Katsu became a massive hit, selling two million copies and making his name known to a wide range of listeners.
Autumn song, included on his 10th album MAN, overflows with poignancy from the opening piano phrase.
From the lyrics, which depict the meeting and parting with a lover he still thinks about, you can sense the bittersweet feeling of wanting that person to remember him even now.
It’s a track that colors the sentimental season of autumn, with an ensemble that gradually builds and lifts your emotions.
language of flowersMr.Children
Hanakotoba, which evokes the poignancy and quiet of autumn, is one of those ballads that truly resonate.
Through Mr.Children’s warm musicality, it delicately portrays the pain of parting and the longing for beautiful moments that are slipping away.
The melody is soothing yet deeply moving, making it a perfect fit for long autumn nights.
Moreover, Kazutoshi Sakurai’s expressive vocals resonate profoundly with listeners, offering a comforting sense of closeness.
Woven from seasonal change and emotion, its story grips the heart—an archetypal song I highly recommend for autumn.
Street-corner TwilightShaneruzu
Now known by the name Rats & Star, the chorus group formerly called Chanels won popularity with a musical style rooted in doo-wop and soul.
Their third single, “Machikado Twilight,” was used 11 years after its release, in 1992, as an insert song for the film Memories of Tomorrow.
Its lyrics, which depict the growing distance between lovers as the blazing summer ends, evoke a poignant sadness that pairs well with autumn’s melancholy.
Marked by their trademark soulful choral work and a lively beat, it’s a quintessential autumn song of the 1980s.
cosmos (flower)ROTTENGRAFFTY
ROTTENGRAFFTY, a rock band based in Kyoto and active nationwide, has been performing since 1999, and even now in the Reiwa era they remain a popular band at the forefront of the Japanese rock scene.
Among the songs they released in 2022 is one that sings about autumn.
It’s called “Akizakura,” read as akizakura rather than “cosmos.” While it’s built on a heavy loud-rock band sound, it’s a one-of-a-kind track distinguished by a melody line that incorporates a kayōkyoku-like (Japanese pop standard) flavor—something characteristic of their music.
The lyrics don’t use many concrete expressions, but that leaves space for each listener to interpret the meaning and emotions in their own way.
Be sure to read the lyrics as you listen and let your thoughts wander.
