Top 10 Best Taylor Swift Songs to Listen to in the Fall

The start of the season is a great opportunity to turn over a new leaf and start anew. Some might even say it’s a great time to “begin again.” A surprising detour on what’s largely a breakup album, it’s no coincidence that this song falls at the end of the original tracklist. The lyrics mark the point after a breakup when you can finally begin to heal. Swift recounts a first date where she realizes she’s ready to truly move on for the first time. From an album seeped in fall vibes, this soft rock ballad has been said to pull influence from the likes of Joni Mitchell and Swift’s early country sound, wrapping us in a big blanket in the process.

Ah, summer love. As the seasons change, many of those flings are destined to sizzle out. There’s no better soundtrack to your woes than this country tune from the early debut-days of this love story queen. Penned when Swift was a high school freshman, “Tim McGraw” reminisces about a short-lived romance and the heartbreak that follows. The first verse introduces us to a former love affair that the narrator hasn’t moved past. But it’s the second verse where we get a glimpse of a sad September of washed up memories and nostalgia. “Tim McGraw” is twangy and evocative, with lyrics that flow like a love letter that we can’t stop rereading every fall.

Fall can be fun, but it can also be a time to reflect. When it comes to blasting a sad song and diving into our emotions, nothing fits the bill like the Aaron Dessner-produced “marjorie”. Track 13 on “evermore” is a haunting ballad that reflects upon the relationship between Swift and her maternal grandmother, Marjorie Finlay. The track features backing vocals from the late Finlay herself, as well as poignant advice about life and death. The grief-stricken bridge in particular sees Swift evoke strong imagery of autumn days and colorful skies. As fall rolls around, you can catch us listening to this song on repeat—and wiping tears from our eyes every time.

As temperatures cool and days get shorter, we find ourselves drawn into our homes more and more. This mini withdrawal from society often leads to a lot of reflection—especially when it comes to past relationships. The title track from Taylor Swift’s genre-spanning album, “Red” sets the scene for a season of contemplation. A mix of pop and folk, “Red” uses a range of colors to describe the protagonist’s feelings. The lyrics carry a sense of nostalgia that makes us come back to it when the leaves prepare to fall. Whether it’s because of a past relationship or the colors of the foliage, you can bet we’re reminiscing about “burning red” every year.

Someone grab the tissues, because we’re turning on the waterworks! If there’s one thing Taylor Swift can do, it’s bring you to tears with her lyrical mastery. “Champagne problems” holds a powerful narrative about college sweethearts who are torn apart by a rejected proposal. While heartbreak ballads are not unfamiliar to Swift’s discography, this particular track tackles particularly mature subject matter. If we’re mending our broken hearts, it’s hard not to feel a crisp chill in the air whenever the song comes on. The storytelling in the bridge in particular transports us to fall days on college campuses, and we can’t help but cherish the cooler weather in those moments.

The love between a mother and daughter is something special. This heartfelt tribute from Taylor Swift to her mother Andrea proves that. “The Best Day” is one big love letter to childhood and growing up, a nostalgic trip through time to simpler days and beautiful memories. The first verse in particular gives off major fall vibes, as Swift describes pumpkin patches, big coats, and golden skies. The acoustic-driven melody is cheery and uplifting. In other words, it’s an instant mood booster that makes us want to drive through colorful foliage on a sunny autumn day after thanking our own maternal figures.

Typically, we associate December with the holidays. But before the holly jolly festivities begin, it’s time to say goodbye to the final moments of fall that precede winter setting in. Saying goodbye is never easy, and neither is realizing you didn’t know you had a good thing until it’s gone. That’s how we feel about the end of autumn each year. In “Back To December”, Swift explores a past relationship that she regrets giving up on. Her wistful and passionate lyrics always catch us in the feels and create the perfect ambience for a cold late autumn day.

In July 2020, “august” entered our lives, and we have never looked at the month the same since. Technically speaking, August isn’t in the fall. However, the late summer month ushers in the end of one season and the start of a new one. The same can be said about Taylor Swift’s “folklore” track, which describes a summer affair turned sour after the protagonist’s beau ultimately returns to his girlfriend. There’s nothing like hearing Swift croon about August slipping away as our days become shorter and the season begins to draw to an untimely end. Summer might be over, but at least we can get excited about fall!

Can you feel that chill in the air? It feels like time to grab our favorite cardigan and get cozy by a fire. Or maybe disappear to a woodsy cabin. Whatever your preference, you can be sure that “cardigan” will be the perfect soundtrack to cold autumn nights. This crooning folk-rock track ushered in a brand new era for Swift that was different from anything we’d heard from the songstress before. The opening notes immediately set the vibe to pensive and welcoming, and the expressive lyrics drive it all the way home. We would be lying if we said we didn’t immediately crank this tune on the first rainy cold day of every autumn. And we wouldn’t want it any other way.

Grab your scarf and jump in the car, ‘cause we’re getting lost upstate. When Taylor Swift put out her version of “Red”, she gifted fans the ten minute version of this beloved song in the vault. Just when we thought it couldn’t get better, Swift surprised everyone by releasing another version of the classic; this time, recorded at Aaron Dessner’s Long Pond Studio. Leaning into the “sad girl autumn” trend, this interpretation is slowed down and stripped back to spotlight Swift’s voice and a piano. It may not be the happiest song on your playlist, but it’s the perfect one to play while you stare out a foggy window on a long fall car ride. Just don’t try to say the title five times fast.

Which Taylor Swift song will you be adding to your fall playlist this year? Let us know in the comments!