Best Songs for Fall 2022
It is officially fall season, which means everyone needs to start updating their playlists. Members of our CommRadio Arts & Entertainment department made a list of some songs worth listening to this fall.
“All Too Well (10-minute version) (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault)” - Taylor Swift
Due to Taylor Swift's infamous former fall album release cycle, it’s hard not to associate many of her songs with the season.
But it’s a vault track off of Swift’s re-recording of her most fall album, “Red,” that perfectly encapsulated the feeling of late autumn.
The leaves become barren, the sky constantly gray, the days become shorter and the weather goes from chilly to cold.
The 10-minute version of Swift’s iconic “All Too Well” can transport any listener, even on the most vibrant summer day, into the bleak and dreary fall.
From the heartbreaking and relatable lyrics, the use of acoustic and electric guitars, or the visuals from “All Too Well: The Short Film,” it’s impossible not to associate this elongated track with fall.
Swift has always been a master storyteller and she paints her picture so clearly.
Lyrics that didn’t make the initial album cut, like, “I still remember the first fall of snow and how it glistened as it fell, I remember it all too well,” perfectly capture the late fall ambiance that Swift is recounting for her listeners.
Swift, as an artist and celebrity, already embodies the fall season so well she’s proclaimed it as her favorite time of year; it’s hard to think of another song, album, or artist when trying to pick out a fall soundtrack. - Sophia D’Ovidio
“Dreams” - The Cranberries
Many fall songs dance around the topic of seasons changing and hearts breaking. The Cranberries take a different, more optimistic, approach to capturing the autumn season.
The Cranberries’ name alone introduces a fall mood to listeners. Cranberry is to fall what watermelon is to summer.
“Dreams” starts with an alternative rock groove, before breaking down into a simple fingerpicking, guitar rhythm. As the lyrics grow more sure in their meaning, the drums pick up the pace.
“Dreams” is a lovely poem, delivered in a folksy tune. The lyrics repeat, “Oh, my life is changing every day.” There is something metaphorically resonant about lives changing and leaves changing at the same time that makes this song perfect for autumn.
This song sets the tempo for walking on crunchy, frosted leaves and bracing the brisk air of early November. “Dreams” brings warmth to the ears, singing of life and love.
Fall is a time for new beginnings, a time to dream, and The Cranberries illustrate that beautifully. - McKenna Wall
“Exile” - Taylor Swift & Bon Iver
Fall is the best season because of all of the things that come with it: football games, changing leaves, and seasonal depression.
For times when leaning into seasonal depression and getting in your bag seems like a good idea the perfect song for that is “Exile” by Taylor Swift featuring Bon Iver.
This song of course features Swift’s lyrical genius and singing, but what really pulls this song into the fall category is Bon Iver’s deep voice. It is so soothing and it really sets the scene for going for an autumn drive.
The lyrics of this song are about a relationship ending, but the song portrays both sides of the relationship which just adds to the feels.
“Exile” is off of Swift’s album “Folklore” which already gives extreme fall vibes, but this song in particular sets the season in motion. - Savannah Swartz
“Wake Me Up When September Ends” - Green Day
When thinking about the fall season, there are countless amounts of fall songs to think of from many different genres. There’s country music, Taylor Swift is always a good choice, but a certified classic fall song is Wake Me Up When September Ends.
The song is by the American rock band Green Day, and released in June of 2005, as part of the American Idiot album. Written by lead vocalist, guitarist and songwriter Billie Joe Armstrong, as an ode to his father who had passed away.
While the fall might be some peoples favorite season, there are others that feel they are met with a feeling of loss.
It is not always a person, it could be an idea or time, both figuratively and literally, in November, time falls back as it gets closer to the winter.
The heart-wrenching undertones in the lyrics teach people to enjoy their time with friends, family and anything else, before it comes and passes, like the summer did, and in Armstrong’s case his father.
However, with how the weather currently is, it does not feel like September is ever going to end. - Matt Scalzo
Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song) - Billy Joel
For me, during every fall season, I fall back in love to the songs my parents constantly played when I was little. One of my family's favorite artists is Billy Joel. Specifically “Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song)” by Billy Joel has reigned as one of my favorites.
That whole album, “The Stranger (Legacy Edition)”, is full of great songs for fall, but “Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song)” never gets old or boring. To accompany Joel’s voice, there are pianos, guitars, saxophones, and drums. The song has many layers and dynamics.
Fall is the season when everyone is extremely busy and cannot wait for the holidays to arrive sooner. The song builds drama as it goes, just like how fall gets busier and busier and then there is a small break for holidays, which is similar to the guitar solo in the middle of the song.
Billy Joel’s lead-off song has the perfect punch to allow you to sing your heart out to or to play while walking through orange and red leaves. - Natalie Simone
Sophia D’Ovidio is a second-year majoring in digital and print journalism. To contact her, email sgd5184@psu.edu.
McKenna Wall is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email mew6140@psu.edu.
Savannah Swartz is a second-year communications major. To contact her, email sms9072@psu.edu.
Matt Scalzo is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him email mms7477@psu.edu or matt.scalzo8@gmail.com.
Natalie Simone is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email nvs5790@psu.edu.
About the Contributors
Matt Scalzo
Third Year / Broadcast Journalism
Matthew “Matt” Scalzo is a third-year from Ridgefield, Connecticut majoring in broadcast journalism. Matt is a Basketball Insider, broadcaster and writer for the sports department. With CommRadio he has called football, hockey, basketball, baseball, volleyball and lacrosse games. Matt has called matches for Penn State Women’s Volleyball on both TV and radio. He has written countless articles and appeared on podcasts, live shows and is a host of the Chi-Town Sit-Down with Thomas English, which covers everything Chicago sports. Matt spent the 2022 summer as the Drector of Broadcasting & Media for the Sanford Mainers in the NECBL. If you want to contact him, email him at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Sophia D'Ovidio
First-Year /
Sophia D’Ovidio is a first-year from Allentown, New Jersey. She is now a communications (undecided) major at Penn State University. Sophia intends on pursuing a career in journalism. Sophia writes for the CommRadio Arts department.
Savannah Swartz
Second-year / Advertising and Public Relations
Savannah Swartz is a second-year communications major, focusing on advertising and public relations. She is a member of the arts department.
McKenna Wall
First-Year /
McKenna Wall is a first-year student from Allentown, Pennsylvania majoring broadcast journalism. Wall is a multimedia reporter for CommRadio. She got her start as a camera operator in high school, learning how to use professional handheld camcorders, ENG cameras, and a jib camera. Wall is currently involved in After the Whistle, gaining experience both on-camera and behind-the-scenes filming, editing and completing work on a deadline. If you would like to contact her, please email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Natalie Simone
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Natalie Simone is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. She is from Cohasset, Massachusetts where she graduated from Cohasset High School. Simone is a member of the news, arts and entertainment, and production departments of CommRadio. She is responsible for a weekly newscast, a weekly talk show, called The CommRadio Table, a weekly DJ set, along with news and arts articles.
