Fall is the season of change. The once lush and green leaves on the trees die and shift into blazing reds, soft yellows and muted browns. In some cases, the change of the seasons comes with a change of heart. For those still reeling from summer situationships that promptly ended with the start of the fall semester, the warm, cozy and festive hand of autumn is here to soothe any residual sorrow. Whether the fear is of ghosts or being ghosted, ballads of heartbreak are sure to ease the pain. No matter the state of your heart, these songs are perfect for a breezy stroll to class as the autumn leaves float to the ground.
“Breakeven” by The Script
The Script’s most streamed solo venture, “Breakeven,” was released in 2008, but is still as hard-hitting today as it was when it first came out. The song describes how the end of a relationship does not always have the same effect on both partners. The bridge reads “While I'm wide awake, she's no trouble sleeping / 'Cause when a heart breaks, no, it don't break even.”
The nostalgic ballad was the pinnacle of late aughts heartbreak, and for University students listening to it now with the life experience that comes with growing up and going to college, it just hits different. What is so compelling about “Breakeven” is the raw and soulful emotion with which it is sung. The pain and heartbreak behind the already devastating lyrics are apparent. This vulnerable and passionate performance is what makes the song so relatable and therefore healing as the bittersweet end of the seasons syncs up with the end of a love story.
“Kiss Me” by Sixpence None The Richer
This Sixpence None The Richer classic is practically an early-fall anthem. “Kiss Me” feels like a song straight out of “Gilmore Girls,” putting the listener right down on the cozy streets of Stars Hollow — the fictional New England small town in which the series is set where it always seems to be fall. The softly sung lyrics of lead vocalist Leigh Nash, and light rhythmic backing production work in tandem to create an autumnal and ethereal feel.
The song uses mystical lyricism to paint a romantic picture of a night out, dancing with a love interest. “You wear those shoes and I will wear that dress / Kiss me beneath the milky twilight / Lead me out on the moonlit floor.” Sixpence demands “Kiss me” repetitively, balancing the light tone of the song with the longing that comes with romance and broken hearts.
“Fade Into You” by Mazzy Star
The 1993 alternative classic “Fade Into You” is the track for the dreary days of fall. The song sways along with question-filled lyrics of wistful despair, but it is the instrumentals that tug at the heartstrings. The moody track features a light and syncopated tambourine beat and a bittersweet guitar strum creating a somber and gloomy atmosphere.
The lyrics are stripped back, but powerful. “I look to you and I see nothing / I look to you to see the truth.” The song is a soundtrack for contemplating one’s feelings and working towards acceptance.
“Cough Syrup” by Young the Giant
“Cough Syrup” is a song about pain. The lyrics describe different ways to escape or numb pain, yet they retain a power and resilience that leaves the listener feeling motivated. The powerful vocals, crescendoing guitar riffs and fearless drum beat add an element of relentless hope in the face of hardship.
The lyrics, which seem downtrodden at times, are in juxtaposition with the power and up-beat nature of the musical styling. As the lead vocalist sings, “If I could find a way to see this straight / I'd run away to some fortune that / I should have found by now,” over the bridge, the song escalates in both strength and passion. With this combination of poignant lyrics and rousing instrumentation, “Cough Syrup” breaks hearts and heals them at the same time, making it the perfect track to ale those in-between feelings of love and loss.
“Cowboy Take Me Away” by The Chicks
“Cowboy Take Me Away” is a reality check in a sweet southern form — a reminder to not give up on your morals or standards in favor of maintaining your dreams. In the song, the Chicks describe a picturesque, dream-like and heavenly relationship. The trio sing about their desire for someone – specifically a cowboy – to take them away to where they want to go.
Their words are soft yet stirring as they sing, “Cowboy take me away/ Fly this girl as high as you can into the wild blue / Set me free, oh, I pray / Closer to heaven above and closer to you.” The Chicks prove that, just because things have fallen through, it does not mean one should stop dreaming of a better relationship in the face of change.
In the face of heartbreak, or unease about change, these tracks inspire resilience, provide comfort and instill a confidence in one's own worth. With fall being the season of change, these songs and their themes are here to ease your worries and your heart.
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