27 Best Songs About September

Between the weather cooling and school starting, summer’s end inspires an existential sadness in many. But there’s also many good times that the month of September brings.

September songs cash in on the month’s inherent bittersweet nature. Below we look at the best songs about September and discuss what makes them so memorable and fantastic.

1. “September” by Earth, Wind, and Fire

Song Year: 1978

Earth, Wind, and Fire wrote the definitive song about the ninth month. “September” is a rollicking disco tune that’s sure to make listeners dance.

One of the band’s biggest hits, “September” has straightforward pop lyrics. The singer celebrates a joyous September 21st he shared with his partner. The upbeat disco-funk song contains a gleeful, gibberish chorus.

“September” was a massive hit, charting globally. Kirk Franklin released a highly successful cover of the song in 2007.

2. “Wake Me Up When September Ends” by Green Day

Song Year: 2005

“Wake Me Up When September Ends” introduced the world to a maturing Green Day. The pop-punk band transcended their juvenile origins with the bittersweet power ballad.

Billie Joe Armstrong composed the song about losing his father to cancer. The poignant lyrics examine loss and the fleeting nature of time. Listeners identified with the song’s sincerity; the tune was a massive, worldwide hit.

Green Day included the platinum-certified song on their seventh album, American Idiot.

3. “Nightswimming” by R.E.M.

Song Year: 1992

“Nightswimming,” R.E.M.’s autumn lullaby, is one of Michael Stipe’s most accessible songs. The piano-driven piece is a melancholy ode to youth and opportunity.

While Mike Mills and Michael Stipe argue about the song’s inspiration, listeners focus on the universal sense of longing delivered through the lyrics. Of course, “Nightswimming” takes place during September; what time of year is more bittersweet?

“Nightswimming” was a modest success, charting in Australia, Germany, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. Dashboard Confessional, Coldplay, Sugarland, the Wrens, and Jason Isbell notably covered the song.

4. “A Lonely September” by the Plain White Tees

Song Year: 2001

The Plain White Tees dominated the early 2000’s sensitive kid music scene. The band’s accessible brand of acoustic balladry spoke to a new generation of disaffected youth. “A Lonely September” is the platonic ideal of emo-tinged love songs.

The singer speaks directly to his former paramour. He expresses how deeply he misses her and how lost he is without their relationship. The Plain White Tees layer plaintive vocals over gentle acoustic guitars, creating a delicate and soothing soundscape.

5. “September Gurls” by Big Star

Song Year: 1974

“September Gurls” proves a song doesn’t need to be a massive hit to have an enormous cultural impact. Big Star’s lovely pop song earned raves from Rolling Stone magazine, Allmusic, and Michael Chabon.

Big Star’s lead vocalist, Alex Chilton, sings about his devotion to his September-born partner. The lyrics contain some of Chilton’s signature snark without sacrificing sincerity.

Rolling Stone named “September Gurls” the 180th best song of all time. The Bangles, Superdrag, and the Searchers all recorded covers of the ballad. 

6.” Six Years Come September” by American Aquarium

Song Year: 2020

American Aquarium dissects the complexities of sober life in “Six Years Come September”. The tragic song tells the story of a man who loses everything because of alcohol use.

The narrator sings to an ex-partner who left with their shared child. The choruses slowly reveal that six years prior, the singer hit a man while driving drunk. While the tragedy inspired his sobriety, it also ended his relationship.

“Six Years Come September” is raw and not at all uplifting. The song appears on American Aquarium’s album Lamentations.

7. “Pale September” by Fiona Apple

Song Year: 1996

18-year-old Fiona Apple took the music world by storm with her debut album, Tidal. Apple turned a direct love song into a poetic revelation with “Pale September”.

“Pale September” has a jazz-infused tune. The lyrics filter a tender love affair through weather and seasons. The singer explains the ways her partner lowered her defenses and brought her happiness during a dark time in her life.

8. “September Morn” by Neil Diamond

Song Year: 1979

Neil Diamond knows his way around a torch song. “September Morn” proves the singer-songwriter is one of the best mature songwriters.

“September Morn” is very much a song for adults, by an adult. The lyrics tell the story of lovers rediscovering each other after years of separation. The narrator reminds his partner of one particular night the couple shared. The pair find themselves on the cusp of reunion, as grown-ups this time.

Diamond featured “September Morn” on his album of the same name.

9. “September Sun” by Type O Negative

Song Year: 2008

Type O Negative released their final single, “September Sun,” on January 14, 2008. The goth-metal epic covers Peter Steele’s pet subjects, including depression, tragic love, and inner darkness.

Type O Negative cut the nearly 10-minute album version of “September Sun” to a more radio-friendly four-and-a-half minutes. The mid-tempo dirge appears on the band’s 2007 album, Dead Again.

10. “Old September Blues” by My Morning Jacket

Song Year: 2004

My Morning Jacket curbed some of their more indulgent impulses on “Old September Blues.” The band errs towards long songs, but “Old September Blues” clocks in at just under six minutes.

Despite the name, “Old September Blues” is a fairly hopeful song. The lyrics discuss the good feeling that comes from being needed and loved.

Jim James and the boys featured the song on Chapter 1: The Sandworm Cometh: Early Recordings.