A Fall Playlist for Your Campus Walks
By: Lanie Brice ‘24
While the leaves don’t change in LA, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy it finally being fall! One of the best is by having an awesome playlist to listen to for your walks around campus. I’ve put together a quick, 8 song playlist to put you in a good mood on your way to class.
8.20
By Maisyn
If you haven’t heard of Maisyn yet, go listen to her entire EP, Cool Grl, immediately. Her beautifully written indie pop songs leave room for both crying and dancing, and she’s a USC Popular Music Program alum!
“8.20″ is my favorite from the EP, and the tone of her voice and the gentle finger plucked guitar give the most cozy, wonderful vibes to get you in a fall mood. The song starts on the slower sides, but it opens up into a brilliant, cathartic instrumental bridge that makes it the perfect track to listen to on your way to get your morning coffee.
If you like “Happier Than Ever” by Billie Eilish, you’ll probably love this song.
Favorite Lyric: “Put on Joni/God, you know me”
Feels Like
By Gracie Abrams
Gracie Abrams is another artist whose music just screams fall. Her songs are always like quiet whispers shared between best friends. On this brand new single, the infectious chorus melody will leave you singing to yourself as you wander around campus.
With lyrics that bubble with the excitement of new beginnings, possibilities, and adventures with best friends, this song is sure to put you in a wistful mood.
Favorite Lyrics: “Living in the movie I’ve watched/Funny cause you couldn’t have called it/Met you at the right time/This is what it feels like”
I-70
By Jeremy Zucker
I’ve been loving the entirety of Jeremy Zucker’s brand new album CRUSHER, and it’s an incredible listen all the way through. Still, I find myself coming back to “i-70” the most. This opening track blends introspection with an excellent drum beat that’s perfect for keeping time as you walk. Take some inspiration from the lyrics and go on a spontaneous road trip with your friends for fall break!
Favorite Lyrics: “There’s cemeteries and Dairy Queens/As far as I see/Midwest iconography”
People Watching
By Conan Gray
“People Watching” is the perfect song to play while you study in a coffee shop, especially if you have a tendency of letting your attention drift away from your homework. A similar situation sparked the idea for this song.
With a gorgeous first verse that will make you instantly want to fall in love, the chorus blooms with all the frustrations of longing and loneliness. Conan sings about wanting to find a relationship as sweet and genuine as the ones he’s observed around him. Also, he chorus and the bridge have an incredible driving beat to time your walking to.
Favorite Lyric: “They met in class for metaphysical philosophy/He tells his friends, ‘I like you cause she’s so much smarter than me’”
Silk Chiffon
By MUNA (ft. Phoebe Bridgers)
Proceed with caution before listening to “Silk Chiffon”. It might be the catchiest song I’ve ever heard. There is something utterly infectious about the melody in this track, and I absolutely cannot get enough of it.
I rarely bother to look up the full songs that I hear going around TikTok, but after seeing a few videos using the pre-chorus, curiosity got the better of me, and I had to check it out. I am so glad I did because this song is a 3:26 long serotonin boost, making it perfect for the mid-point slump in your walk.
Favorite Lyric: “Watch her silk dress dancing in the wind/Watch it brush against her skin/Makes me wanna try her on”
Vanilla (Stairwell Version)
By Holly Humberstone
This Holly Humberstone track sounds the way that scented candles smell. Even though it’s a slower track and slightly less optimal for walking, it is screams fall through and through. Her confessional lyricism and WebMD jokes won me over. Make sure you listen to the Stairwell Version particularly because it just has an extra haunting feeling to it that elevates the song.
Favorite Lyric: “I need a cure for all this apathy/I’m spending way too long on WebMD”
All Too Well
By Taylor Swift
It would not be a true fall playlist without the inclusion of the definitive fall song, “All Too Well”. Just like pumpkin spice, this song has permanently associated itself with the changing of the leaves, and it will never go out of style for those needing to belt their heart out when the bridge comes around.
Red is such a perfectly fall album, and Taylor’s Version of it is coming just in time for the end of the season on November 12. When the expanded version of the album drops, consider switching out the standard version of this song for the much anticipated ten minute version. I have no clue how Taylor had enough lyrics to double the song’s runtime, but it’s sure to be a wonderful, lyrically beautiful, cathartic roller coaster.
Favorite Lyric: “Maybe we got lost in translation/Maybe I asked for too much/But maybe this thing was a masterpiece/Til you tore it all up”
I am not a woman i’m a god
By Halsey
To end the playlist on a more upbeat note, I’ve added one of the favorite songs from Halsey’s latest album, If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power. The album is epic top to bottom, and I highly recommend you also give a listen to “Darling”, “You asked for this”, “honey”, and “The Tradition”. I picked this track in particular for its incredible energy. Whatever situation you’re walking towards, this song is sure to give you a boost of power and courage to take on the day.
Favorite Lyrics: “Everyday I got a smile where my frown goes”
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