Top 10 Autumn Songs

#10: "Leaves That Are Green" (1965) Simon & Garfunkel

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Originally recorded for a solo Paul Simon album in 1965, this song found a much wider audience when it was included a year later for Simon and Garfunkel’s Sounds of Silence LP. Simon’s lyrics are among his most evocative, comparing the passage of time and the passage of a love affair to the turning of summer to fall. The rather sprightly arrangement provides a contrast to the melancholy nature of the lyrics, but the words and music combine effectively to convey the feeling of the fall.

#9: "Autumn Leaves" (1945) Yves Montand

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A much-covered classic, this 1945 song was originally recorded in French by Yves Montand, and contains lyrics depicting a fallen relationship. The song didn’t get popular worldwide until Johnny Mercer provided an English adaptation with Jo Stafford, that it would become a huge hit on both sides of the Atlantic. The song has also been covered by a wide array of artists such as Iggy Pop and Eric Clapton, proving the tune’s international success since its release.

#8: "Autumn Leaves" (2011) Ed Sheeran

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A bonus track from Sheeran’s breakthrough + album, “Autumn Leaves” is an achingly beautiful song about a love that didn’t last. The traditional metaphor of falling autumn leaves standing in for the end of a relationship is used sparingly but effectively. With a gentle acoustic guitar providing support, the song communicates the tender hollowness of the post-summer season. Sheeran’s sensitive, wistful vocals are a perfect complement to the story being told and add an extra layer of depth to the flowing melody.

#7: "California Dreamin'" (1965) The Mamas & the Papas

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“California Dreamin’” is clearly set on, as the lyrics say, “a winter’s day,” yet the song feels like fall. The brown leaves that litter the ground help give it that feeling, but it’s more than that. The frustrated desire, the sense of something having ended before its time, and the desire for warmth all helped make this 1965 tune a classic of the counterculture era. Listed as the 89th greatest song of all time by Rolling Stone Magazine, there’s no doubt that this track gives us a little bit of hope during the coldest months of the year.

#6: "Autumn Almanac" (1967) The Kinks

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Inspired by a gardener Ray Davies once crossed paths with, this song is a quirky character study that somehow feels distinctly English in nature. Certainly the bouncy guitars and harmonies help create the English feel, but the lyrics are even more important in this regard. The lyrics describe traditional English lifestyle with references to football, roast beef on Sundays, and hiding from the weather. At the same time, autumn is very much in evidence, with Davies’ rich imagery helping even those born on the other side of the pond get a feeling for the season in England.

The title track from Van Morrison’s 1970 album wasn’t actually released as a single until 1977, but by that time, “Moondance” was already a part of the pop culture landscape, thanks to its extensive radio airplay. John Klingberg’s walking bass combines with Jeff Labes’ jazzy piano and Jack Shroer’s distinctive sax playing to excellent effect. But as usual, it’s Morrison’s vocals that carry the day. October skies fill the air as the Irish musician croons about partaking in a “moondance” with the one he loves.

The Harvest Moon album is considered something of a sequel to Young’s classic “Harvest” album. The lyrics clearly paint a relationship that has been around for a while and has probably been through its share of trials. Yet there’s a youthful tenderness and emotion underneath, which has been brought forth by the reminder of the harvest moon. It’s without a doubt a love letter to the season, and the perfect soundtrack to a night with your significant other.

#3: "November Rain" (1992) Guns 'n ' Roses

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This Guns ‘n’ Roses power ballad holds the distinction of being the longest song to ever break Billboard’s Top 10 singles chart. At nearly nine minutes in length, it’s a musical epic, all thanks to the swirling string arrangement and Slash’s dynamic guitar work throughout. Lyrically, the song uses the cold and dark month of November as the backdrop for a failed relationship, while the track’s music video mixes this idea with shots of the group shredding on stage.

#2: "Wake Me Up When September Ends" (2005) Green Day

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Some songs are intensely personal. Billie Joe Armstrong penned this powerful song as a way of dealing with emotions concerning his father, who passed away on a September day when the singer was very young. The sense of loss permeates every measure of this song, along with Armstrong’s carefully nuanced vocals. Musically, the song builds in a far more interesting way than most rock ballads, and the emotional music video will have you tearing up. September clearly is a time of great emotional upheaval for Armstrong, and this song brilliantly gets across the conflicting feelings that are aroused each fall. Before we reveal our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions: "Forever Autumn" (1978) Justin Hayward "Autumn in New York" (1957) Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong "Deck Chairs and Cigarettes" (2003) The Thrills

#1: "September" (1978) Earth, Wind & Fire

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Earth, Wind & Fire scored a top 10 hit with this incredibly catchy track. Although firmly rooted in the disco era, “September” somehow has a timeless appeal, as evidenced by its use in movies, TV shows, video games and even sporting arenas. While the lyrics rarely connect directly to autumn except for the mention of the titular month, the record bursts with a lively, infectious feeling that mirrors the positive feelings associated with a perfect fall day. When the beat is that good and the groove is that awesome, it makes you feel like anything is possible. Agree with our choices? What other songs that evoke autumn deserve to be on this list? For more enthralling top10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.