Ode to Fall: 11 Songs to Bring in the Season
Fall is hereeeeee! According to memes and social media, it’s time for pumpkin spice flavored everything, hot chocolate, pumpkin carving, and Halloween. Although these things stand out more in this season, what better way to introduce the oncoming chill than with music. In the same way that Christmas season means repeated playings of every Christmas song known to humankind, fall has a very specific feel that has been captured by music.
In that spirit, I introduce to you Samantha V’s Fall Playlist!
This is the barely the beginning of it, but the following selections are noteworthy. I highly doubt that many of these artists went into the studio with the intention of capturing fall, but hey! Music evokes feelings, and the interpretations are up the audience, so these artists did their job.
I love the curation of pretty much anything so I’ll present this playlist to you as a journal entry.
***
October 5th, 2019
Dear Diary,
The weather is changing and I miss summer already! Well, I miss the consistent warmth outside, the bright sun, and cool evenings. I should be more excited because I love the in-between seasons, but I was just beginning to enjoy the summer. Mother Nature moves on and I guess so should I. I need to prepare myself for what’s coming so I think I’ll write…an ode to fall.
Fall…F A L L
trees, leaves changing color, trying not to catch a cold, haha
pause, stillness, listen, music! Sarah Vaughan, jazz. JAZZ!!
To me fall feels like jazz
Hi-notes, bass, cadence, and velvety rhythm
Like golden yellow hues mixed with orange to make amber and copper tones
Fall puts one in the mood for a hug, a blanket wrapped around your body, hot chocolate, styling and profiling in boots (high-heeled, thigh/knee high), and leather jackets
It’s still warm enough to be out and about, but the chill introduces a slowness in pace that creates space to think a little harder and sit still a little longer
Fall feels like love or at least the appearance of it. Romance brimming with anticipation coupled with the desire to be warm for the upcoming winter
Whether that be sitting in the house alone or hanging with people I love I just need music, a hot drink, and my journal for the night. Here’s my ode to fall music:
1.) Sarah Vaughan’s cover of Autumn in New York? That feels like fall! From the beginning the orchestra carries the audience along for the ride Sarah takes us on. It makes me think of the record player I hope to own one day. Just so I can play this song and many others in periodic honesty. It’s amazing to me that more than 30 years later this song still draws you in. (Sarah Vaughan’s Golden Hits- 1958)
2.) The influence of singers like Sarah Vaughan will forever be displayed in modern music. One of my favorite modern day jazz vocalists often pays tribute to Nat King Cole throughout his career. His name is Gregory Porter and I’d follow Sarah up with his song Be Good. (Be Good Deluxe Edition- 2012)
I picture walking down the street to this song. On the street alongside me are yellow, orange, brown, and gold leaves. Where am I headed? Maybe a cafe. Nowhere specific, just out and about, because I have some extra time on my hands.
3.) While I’m relishing in the fact that I have time, I begin to think about an artist who I consider to be a manipulator of time. She knows how to capture moments by creating the language to properly express them. As a fellow singer I call her my “Big Me”, as she inspires my artistry. Who else could complement Gregory Porter’s sound than THE Jill Scott? Her song Jahraymecofasola is about her working on creating a word that means I love you, because just saying that doesn’t do it justice. Treading close to what was once extremely vulnerable ground it puts me in mind of my first love. In that moment of time it was true to me, but as I’ve evolved what made it memorable is that it was just so new! I had no choice but to respond authentically so I can understand the sentiment of Jahraymecofasola. (Woman- 2015)
4.) Dang! See, I told you. Jill is a poet and now I’m reliving the beautiful parts of that experience. I used to say to myself: “This can’t be real.” How can something feel this good? So much so that I’d rather live in my imagination than in reality. Can I make it my reality? Jose James & Emily King explore this in their song Heaven on the Ground [Acoustic Bonus Track]. (No Beginning No End- 2012)
Fall is a season where nature prepares herself to return back to basics. She strips down, bares it all, and her growth flourishes even more the following year. In comparison to the edited version of this song, the acoustic is raw and has a more authentic sound. So like fall there is no pretending here. You can hear the original harmonies and clear strumming of the guitar. It complements the true intricacies of each vocalist’s style.
5.) Isn’t fall intricate? I think this is why I appreciate the in-between seasons so much, they’re reflective of life. Many transitions, highs/lows, growth, exposure, and all of this seems to be on display. You CAN’T fake it. Esperanza Spalding’s Cinnamon Tree broadens the lens, and the feeling I lent to love is now shared with savoring a taste/experience pleasing to the palate. (Radio Music Society- 2012)
In general Esperanza Spalding is descriptive, but this song in particular describes fall. My favorite line is “Your roots are firm in the ground to soak up what’s around and make sweet seasoning…” The element of being grounded, seasoning, spices, and cinnamon are true of this season.
6.) Each season has colors and fall is no different. As indicated in the leaves fall’s hues are orange red, brown, green, and black. The lyrics that come to mind are: “I’m an Orange Moon and I shine so bright…How good it is? How good it is? How good it is?” In my vocal family tree she is my aunt. Ti-Ti (Erykah) Badu asks this question repeatedly as she identifies herself as an Orange Moon reflecting the light of the sun. (Mama’s Gun-2000)
7.) Remember how I mentioned that there’s no hiding this season? This season is about exposing the parts of one’s self that need to be released so you can continue to grow. This includes the parts that don’t want to let go of the past. Realizing this makes life easier and that’s the realization I came to in the beginning of this entry. “Mother Nature is moving on…” But what’s progress without nostalgia? Cue Emily King’s Georgia and you’ll hear the first four words: “I was not ready.” (Seven- 2011)
8.) That’s how change catches us most times, not ready. The shift throws us off balance and we end up having to explain ourselves to us and others. Although she’s discussing insecurity due to a breakup and potentially heartbreak, Titi (Erykah) Badu’s Green Eyes is applicable to the shift the seasons and life in general sends us. (Mama’s Gun-2000)
9.) “Sometimes clinging to a cloud ain’t as easy as it seems, but we try.” Yes we do Eryn! Eryn Allen Kane uses her Piano Song to help us to understand that there’s got to be more, but we can only get it if we let go. (Aviary: Act 1-2015)
10.) To round off this intro to fall feels and this playlist, Robert Glasper ft. We Are KING take us “back to the beginning of time” with Move Love. After you let go, embrace the stillness, pause, breath, and space coming to you. (Black Radio- 2012)
11.) Who knows you might even discover a new love (platonic, romantic, or fame) that will make you bop a little harder to Ah Yeah by Robert Glasper ft. Music Soulchild & Chrisette Michele. (Black Radio- 2012)
***
This season I vow to bust out as many waltz-esque glides across the room along with head nods/bops, snaps, claps, foot taps while burning sage and listening to this playlist. I offer it to you in hopes that it brings you some movement symbolizing the acceptance of change that brings more growth to you in the upcoming seasons.