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Romanticizing Fall: Love Songs For the Midst of Fall

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As the fall semester approaches its midpoint, many of those who once considered themselves academic achievers are now wondering if they should have set their sights on their midterms instead of their relationships. Still, if you find yourself studying beneath the amber trees of Harvard Yard and looking for warmth in the chilly weather, here are 10 love songs to keep you company:

‘Kiss Me’ by Sixpence None The Richer

Featured in their 1997 self-titled album, American pop rock band Sixpence None The Richer’s song “Kiss Me” is every old-timer’s fall classic. The combination of warm guitar notes and lyrics that capture being in love on a sparkling, moonlit night add to the fall accents of the song. Meanwhile, the upbeat yet soft and catchy instrumentals fit right into the band’s pop alternative rock genre.

‘I Will’ by The Beatles

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From the famous English rock band’s only double album released in 1968 — commonly known as “The White Album” — this song expresses a long-lived, playful, and innocent love. Paul McCartney’s soft vocals and acoustic guitar create a tender and personal atmosphere with a feeling of autumnal romance. “I Will” can be listened to in any setting, providing a breath of joyful and fresh fall air around your top secret crush.

‘Femme Fatale’ by The Velvet Underground & Nico

Written at Andy Warhol’s request as a tribute to “it girl” Edie Sedgwick, “Femme Fatale” blends joyful tunes with a darker undertone of lyrics, describing a romantically dangerous yet appealing woman. In contrast to the band’s more experimental tracks, this song stands out for its accessibility and melodic beat. “Femme Fatale” will have you falling for a woman like Sedgwick: fierce and alluring.

‘I Wanna C U’ by Blood Orange

Just about one minute long, “I Wanna C U” appears in Blood Orange’s 2019 mixtape “Angel’s Pulse.” The lyrics portray the simple longing for a lover’s presence, shining with the vulnerability of Devonté Hynes, the singer known as Blood Orange. Blending dusky synths and tender falsetto, this song feels like walking home through the first chill of fall. From just this glimpse into the narrative, listeners will yearn to hear more of Hyne’s songs.

‘Clementine’ by Elliott Smith

Released in 1995, this song references a line from the popular American folk song, “Oh My Darling, Clementine,” most often credited to Percy Montrose. Elliott Smith illustrates a scene in a bar, near closing time — a nostalgic memory of a lost love named Clementine. The minimal guitar work and melancholy atmosphere in “Clementine” portray a love full of introspective regret and overthinking. The instrumentation provides the mood for a quiet, late-night reflection, perhaps while sitting on a bench in the chilly weather.

‘The Boy’ by The Smashing Pumpkins

Appearing in The Smashing Pumpkins’ 1996 box set album, “The Aeroplane Flies High,” this track was originally included as one of the B-sides for the band’s single “1979.” Combining romantic urgency and repeated vulnerability, this song carries a youthful energy. James Iha melds love’s euphoria and the overwhelming costs of liking someone to give the song a powerful dynamic. The bittersweet mood from the lyrics combined with the warm production from the acoustic guitar makes it a perfect song to reminisce to in the fall.

‘Jonathan’ by Adrianne Lenker and Buck Meek

As lead vocalist, guitarist, and main songwriter of the band Big Thief, Adrianne Lenker has simultaneously sprouted a solo career, releasing more folk-oriented music under her own name. From Buck Meek and Lenker’s 2014 extended play “a-sides,” “Jonathan” is a sorrowful love letter to John, a person representing solace and connection. The lyrics illustrate a home, referencing senses of belonging and complexity in a relationship. The soft harmonies and fragile sincerity unfold like a letter written in late October — tender, wistful, and full of empty space.

‘Teenager’ by Deftones

Departing from Deftone’s heavier tracks, this song falls into the alternative rock genre with elements of trip-hop and dream-pop. Being a more quiet and reflective song, the track amplifies the feeling of intensity when romantic changes feel seismic and familiarity is lost — the end of something that once held promise. The melancholic and atmospheric style will give way to reflection on the youthful emotions we all once had.

‘20191009 I Like Her’ by Mac Demarco

Of all 199 demos and sketches in Mac Demarco’s special album, “One Wayne G,” track 39 offers a reminiscent take on affection. Demarco’s lyrics function as a simple and sincere mantra, providing the song with emotional clarity and directness to the listener. The title alone is enough to make you wonder what happened in Demarco’s love life on Oct. 9, 2019.

‘Willow’ by Taylor Swift

Featuring a blend of guitars and glockenspiel, this chamber folk ballad mixed with modern elements utilizes the metaphor of a willow tree to depict the willingness to adapt when in love. Taylor Swift expresses the desire for someone who reciprocates and defies expectations, setting up a path back into her heart despite distance and complications. Listening to the mystical instrumentals of this song feels like a retreat into the outdoors, nourished by the sweetness of newfound love.

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