Autumn Classics: Carefully Selected Exquisite Ballads to Listen to in September
September marks the shift from the dazzling heat of summer to the calm of autumn.
Although the lingering summer heat can still be intense, don’t you find yourself wanting to listen to more relaxed music as the days gradually cool down? Some of you might also be feeling a bit lonely now that the fun of summer has come to an end.
In this article, we’ll introduce plenty of ballad songs that perfectly capture the mood of autumn.
Many of them feature lyrics that evoke the season, making this a list that will let you fully savor the autumn vibe.
These are all wonderful songs that will stay close to your heart, so be sure to give them a listen!
- [Autumn Love Songs] A selection of love songs that portray a bittersweet longing
- [Autumn Classics] Japanese Songs to Listen to and Sing in October: A Curated Selection of Beloved, Heartfelt Hits
- Ballad songs perfect for autumn. Timeless mellow hits for the fall season.
- Songs to Listen to in September: Popular J-POP Tracks That Capture the End of Summer and Early Autumn
- [Autumn Songs] Songs of autumn. Classic tracks and popular favorites you’ll want to listen to in the fall.
- [Reiwa Autumn Songs] Seasonal Melodies That Resonate with the Heart | A Curated Selection of Masterpieces to Enjoy in Autumn!
- Ballads to Listen to in Summer | Exquisite Summer Songs That Embrace Bittersweet Longing
- Emotional songs that resonate in a sentimental autumn. A collection of autumn tunes.
- A stylish moment of autumn songs colored by Japanese pop music
- [Perfect for Autumn] Heartbreak songs that resonate with bittersweet feelings
- Timeless Ballads to Enjoy in Spring: From Classics to the Newest Hits, All in One Guide
- A roundup of iconic J-pop autumn songs that colored the Heisei era. Let’s listen to autumn tunes that touch the heart!
- Classic K-pop songs to listen to in autumn. Korean autumn songs.
[Autumn Masterpieces] Carefully Selected Exquisite Ballads to Hear in September (51–60)
Autumn breezeKiroro
This is a bittersweet song by Kiroro that depicts the deepening of autumn and the approach of winter.
The piano—one of the unit’s defining features—stands out in the sound, and its single, resonant notes heighten the sense of poignancy.
The lyrics portray a growing awareness that winter draws nearer as the autumn chill intensifies, along with a sinking of the heart.
As the song progresses, the reasons for disliking winter are gradually revealed, making the sadness feel even more vivid.
It’s a perfect track for the late autumn season, when feelings of melancholy are especially strong.
autumn rainSonar Pocket
Sonar Pocket’s 2022 release “Akisame” is a ballad that depicts the heartache of a painful breakup.
One of the group’s charms is their lyrics that resonate with listeners, and with this song too, many will read the words, relate them to their own experiences, and feel deeply moved.
The autumn rain referenced in the title is portrayed strikingly throughout, further emphasizing the story’s sadness and sense of helplessness.
The reflections of regret over their time together, and the depiction that the beloved person is no longer by their side, make your chest tighten with sorrow.
Signs of autumnofukōsu
Off Course, the band that gained popularity with Kazumasa Oda at its center.
Their 11th single, “Aki no Keihai” (Signs of Autumn), opens with acoustic guitar and strings that evoke a distinctly autumnal, sentimental mood.
The lyrics, which depict the resolve to part ways with a lover, mirror the changeable autumn sky and are likely to stir a bittersweet feeling.
It’s a heart-wrenching number, beautifully adorned with a clear, high-toned voice and rich choral work.
Moon CryingKōda Kumi
Speaking of autumn, moon viewing comes to mind, and there are so many love ballads related to the moon! This song is by Kumi Koda, who’s usually known for bright, uptempo tracks.
It’s a heartrending piece that portrays a woman’s unreachable feelings, unable to let go of the man she broke up with.
It’s the perfect fit for a long autumn night—an undeniably moving, sad and bittersweet breakup ballad.
[Autumn Masterpieces] Carefully Selected Gemlike Ballads to Listen to in September (61–70)
Reflected at duskAkiyama Kiiro
A perfect song to listen to while feeling the refreshing autumn breeze is Akiyama Kiro’s “Yūgure ni Utsushite,” released digitally in 2019.
This track conveys a resolve to keep living strongly by embracing everything—both the happy, joyful days and the painful, difficult ones—as colors that enrich one’s life.
Its crisp, driving melody seems to elevate that strength even further.
Even if you find yourself in tears, listening to this song will make you feel ready to keep going again!
autumn orangeAAA
This is a song called “autumn orange” by the hugely popular dance-vocal group AAA.
It’s included on their 2014 album “GOLD SYMPHONY.” It’s a heartrending love song that sings of a frustrating, unrequited love.
The sweet vocals make your heart skip a beat.
Early autumn is when the wind turns chilly and you start to feel lonely, isn’t it? It’s the perfect track for that season.
holly (Japanese holly tree, Ilex crenata)Do As Infinity
It’s one of Do As Infinity’s signature songs.
The lyric, “I want the strength to endure winter, strong like a holly twig,” carries a certain poignancy, and if you listen to it in autumn—when it’s easy to feel sentimental—it will sink even deeper into your heart.
It’s a gentle ballad that makes you reflect on your current situation and your future.