Songs for every end of summer mood

By Jess Santacroce
Music Writer, 955 The Heat Phoenix Radio

The approaching end of summer and start of fall means different things for different people. Some are starting or returning to school. Many already missing summer fun. Still others look forward to everything from the weather to the holidays to the colors of the coming fall season. No matter how you feel about the coming summer’s end, there is at least one song to match your mood.

Looking forward to school because you love it there: Be true to your school (The Beach Boys)

Although many people certainly will not be able to relate to this, school, even high school, is a great time for some people. If you fall into this category, The Beach Boys’ classic from 1963 likely reflects your current attitude and/or memories of your days as a student. So upbeat and catchy that even those who shudder at the thought of their school love the song, “Be true to your school” is probably the happiest back to school song ever written.

Eagerly anticipating Halloween: Psycho killer (Talking Heads)
Halloween is a time for some to indulge in their interest in spooky, creepy, even disturbing things, without the judgment that may come during other times of the year. Others love the costumes and candy and sense of make-believe the holiday brings. Halloween playlists are often a part of the celebration either way, and any playlist full of songs about the spooky or the fun and quirky should include this 1977 song by Talking Heads. Not only is the song written from the point of view of a killer, the numerous origin stories lend themselves well to all the urban legends and storytelling Halloween brings. Depending on who you ask and where you look, you will hear that “Psycho Killer” is about real-life serial killer David Berkowitz a.k.a. “The Son of Sam,” the fictional serial killer Norman Bates from the “Psycho” novels and movies, or that it was inspired by another artist known for his spooky aesthetic, Alice Cooper. Be sure to check out both the song and the story behind it to learn which one is the truth, and which is such a creepy urban legend.

Dreading school because you are being bullied: Loser (Beck)

Anyone who has experienced bullying knows that music can be your greatest source of support and comfort during this time. From angry songs that bring catharsis, to sad songs that offer permission to cry, to hopeful songs reminding you that you are not going to be stuck around these people forever, music can literally be life-saving for a child, teen, or even an adult who has become the target of bullying, or whose memories of their school days are tarnished by bullying. Beck’s 1994 song “Loser” belongs on any playlist made to cope with bullying because from the opening lyrics, “In the age of chimpanzees, I was a monkey,” the song lets us know that there is someone else out there who can relate to the experience of feeling like you just don’t fit in wherever you may be.

Missing summer fun: Summer of ‘69 (Bryan Adams)

Listening to this song feels like sitting around in a group swapping memories of your favorite summers. The lyrics tell a specific story about the main character’s summer in 1969, complete with the names of his friends and the reasons why those people left a band they formed that year. When the song ends, the listener can’t help but pick up on the line “Those were the best days of my life,” and begin to think of the best summer fun memories of their own.

Can’t wait to get back to school because of the people you know there: That’s what I go to school for (Jonas Brothers)

Talk to people who report loving or liking school, and you will find some that were either into all the sports and clubs and truly shined during that time, and some who like anywhere they can find books and learning. Then there are people like the main character in this 2006 song by The Jonas Brothers. The young man depicted in these lyrics is a high school freshman looking forward to school each day, even though he describes daydreaming and finding actually being there as “a bore.” Still, he wants to go to school because he’s in love with a senior girl. Like “Summer of ‘69,” this is a song that tells a detailed story that will still bring to mind our own memories. Anyone who may not be the biggest sports or clubs or even academics fan but still looks forward to school, or has fond memories of past school days because of boyfriends, girlfriends, and best friends, will find this catchy early ‘00s pop tune relatable.

Looking forward to the sights and sounds of the upcoming fall: When fall comes to New England (Cheryl Wheeler)

A search for songs about fall (or autumn) will result in numerous playlists, all full of great music ranging from today’s pop hits to classics in all genres, from Jazz to Folk to Rock. Most of these songs use the season as a metaphor for something else, usually change, transition, or loss. There are few for those who are simply excited about cooler temperatures, leaves in deep shades of red, orange, and yellow, wearing their favorite long-sleeved clothes again, and enjoying apple or pumpkin flavored treats. Cheryl Wheeler’s 1993 song “When Fall Comes to New England” is one of the few that does not use the season as a springboard to tell a story about anything else, and simply celebrates the beauty of the season in the New England region.

Anticipating the coming fall as a time to make changes in your life: Autumn in New York (Diana Krall)

Of course, there is a reason so many artists have created and performed fall themed songs about transition and change. It is a time of shifting and change for many people. Schedules often change, bringing a shift in priorities. Cooler weather forces people indoors more, bringing more of a focus on work and/or home. Approaching holidays encourage us to think about family and friends and our memories. Even the shifting clothes, colors, foods, and scents have an impact on our thoughts and moods. The website “Lyric Stories” (www.lyricstories.com) offers a list of 27 such songs. Ryan Conlon, owner and author of the website “Your Music Depot” located at (www.yourmusicdepot.com) offers multiple playlists totaling more than 60 fall songs arranged by moods and genres. This is just one of those songs, one that focuses on the promises that the season brings.

Whether the end of summer and the approach of fall means comfort, change, school, fun holidays and treats, or any combination of those things for you, it is fast approaching. Maybe one or more of these songs can be the first one added to your own playlist as summer 2025 slowly draws to a close.