Best Fall Country Songs
As summer passes and a chill catches in the air, we love to bunker down with our favorite fall tunes. The following songs are the perfect way to celebrate the autumn season and all it brings – tailgates, football games, harvests, and more. From celebrating farmers with Luke Bryan to catching pre-game butterflies with Kenny Chesney, you’ll be ready for fall with this playlist of the best fall country songs.
A Little More Summertime – Jason Aldean
The song “A Little More Summertime”, by Jason Aldean, expresses the same melancholic sentiment that many of us feel as Summer turns into Fall. The sun begins to appear less and less, the trees begin shedding their leaves, and yet, life continues to move forward.
One of the best lyrics in “A Little More Summertime” reflects the ways in which relationships tend to move on or fall away as the seasons shift and people begin their lives once more.
“On a beach instead of going out with the tide
If that wind was a friend
It’d still be blowing in
Like a warm southern whisper on her
She might have stayed forever
And never ever left these arms
If only I had a little more summertime”
September – Corb Lund
While “September” may have a very upbeat sound and rhythm, it’s lyrics are melancholic and wistful. The song is about a man whose lover is going back to New York City, away from the countryside. But, of course, this man doesn’t want her to go, and he hopes that she’ll stay with him through September.
For many people – young people, in particular – September is a time of new beginnings, while also being a time where you need to say “Goodbye”.
“Stay with me through September
Summer didn’t last
And there ain’t nobody in New York City
Who could need you half as bad”
I Love A Rainy Night – Eddie Rabbitt
A 1975 classic, Eddie Rabbitt’s “I Love A Rainy Night” may not be about the Fall season, explicitly, but it captures the joy and excitement that comes from experiencing that first Fall rainy night. Unlike the other songs in this list, it is simple, upbeat, and absolutely joyous!
“Well, I love a rainy night; it’s such a beautiful sight.
I love to feel the rain on my face;
taste the rain on my lips,
in the moonlight shadows.”
Autumn’s Not That Cold – Skip Ewing
“Autumn’s Not That Cold”, by Skip Ewing, may not be as well known as some of the other songs in this list, but it’s a classic! Skip Ewing’s smooth and emotive voice merges with his guitar strings, creating a beautiful and emotional piece about the inevitability of change and our ability to keep on living and loving life. Eve
“That summer sun was setting
When you set your sights to leave
And I braced myself believing
It would bring me to my knees
Oh but here it is October
Oh the leaves are turning gold
Each night’s a little bluer
But autumn’s not that cold”
Thank God I’m A Country Boy – John Denver
John Denver’s classic song “Thank God I’m A Country Boy” is not, technically, about the Fall season. Rather, it’s about gratitude and appreciation for living in the country and being a “country boy”. “Thank God I’m A Country Boy” evokes the same feelings and sentiments that we often feel during Thanksgiving, one of Fall’s most notable holidays, and asks us to be appreciative of who we are and where we were born.
“Well life on the farm is kinda laid back
Ain’t much an old country boy like me can’t hack
It’s early to rise, early in the sack
Thank God I’m a country boy”
Cold One Comin’ On – Montgomery Gentry
Montgomery Gentry’s “Cold One Comin’ On” is not about the cooler weather that Fall brings but, rather, the loneliness and alienation that often comes from missing someone that you love but are unable to be with. While the music video shows a woman whose husband has passed away, the song is not about a specific kind of romantic loss.
Rather, the lyrics capture a more universal sense of longing and loss that, no matter how warm it may be, makes things feel as cold as ice.
“Weatherman says, ‘It might hit ninety – five. ‘
September’s gonna feel more like July
He’s callin’ for a night that’s warm and mild
I think he missed it by a mile
He just don’t know that you’re gone
I feel a cold one comin’ on”
Unforgettable – Thomas Rhett
In Thomas Rhett’s “Unforgettable”, we listen as the singer tells his lover all about the 14th of October and just how unforgettable she was. Just about every song prior to this one has been about the love that originates in Summer and often goes away as the seasons shift into Fall.
But, even though Fall is often a far colder and less romantic period than Summer, love can still blossom and flourish.
“It was the 14th of October
And that t-shirt off your shoulder
I was drunk, said I was sober
And you said “yeah, right”
We were talkin’ for a minute
Then some guy tried to cut in
You took my hand and we pretended
Like I was your guy”
Thank You For A Life – Kris Kristofferson
This song isn’t explicitly about the Fall season, but it evokes the same sense of gratitude and appreciation that often takes place during one of Fall’s most notable holidays – Thanksgiving. The song serves as a wonderful reminder to always be grateful and appreciative, even for the difficulties and hardships that life, inevitably, throws at us.
“Thank you for that burning sun that’s rising
Golden in the air that smells so sweet
Thank you for that empty far horizon
That opens to a new eternity”
Colder Weather – Zac Brown Band
The Zac Brown Band are masters at crafting excellent Fall songs, and “Colder Weather” is no exception. It may not be a Fall song, explicitly, but “Colder Weather” is about the cold weather that comes from the seasons changing and the ways in which that colder weather creates distance between us and those we love. It beautifully captures the melancholic wistfulness that many of us feel as Summer turns into Fall and as things become cold and icy once more.
“Oh I wanna see you again
But I’m stuck in colder weather
Maybe tomorrow will be better
Can I call you then
‘Cause I’m a ramblin’ man
I ain’t ever gonna change
I gotta gypsy soul
And I was born for leavin’”
Rain Is A Good Thing – Luke Bryan
“Rain Is A Good Thing”, by Luke Bryan, is all about how – as you might’ve guessed – rain is a good thing. As the seasons shift from Summer to Fall, the sky becomes cloudy, and more and more rain begins to fall. But rain, Luke Bryan insists, is a good thing that should be welcomed and appreciated!
“Rain makes corn, corn makes whiskey
Whiskey makes my baby, ha ha ha
Back roads are boggin’ up, my buddies pile up in my truck
We hunt our hunnies down, we take ’em into town
Start washin’ all our worries down the drain
Rain is a good thing”
Here’s to the Farmer – Luke Bryan
While this song isn’t about fall specifically, it celebrates an important figure in our country who works hard from the spring till the fall, growing and harvesting crops. This tune will remind you of both the hard work, the sacrifice and the reward of the fall harvest.
Our favorite lyric:
“Here’s to the farmer that plants the fields in the spring, That turn from green to that harvest honey
Hold one up for the banker downtown, That got him on his feet with handshake money
Here’s to the farmer’s wife, That loves him every night
Raising a son, raising a daughter, They gather ’round the table, send it up to the Father
Somehow they get closer when times get harder, Here’s to the farmer”
Autumn’s Not That Cold – Lorrie Morgan
Lorrie Morgan’s classic tune about a lover leaving her muses about how she’s not as lonely as she thought she’d be. She sings about the leaves turning on her just like her lover did, and how change is full of color. When we think of the best fall country songs, this one is definitely an iconic one.
Our favorite lyric sums up how Morgan is letting this life change roll off her back:
“That summer sun was setting, when you set your sights to leave, And I braced myself believing, it would bring me to my knees.
Oh but here it is October, oh the leaves are turning gold. Each night a little bluer, but autumn’s not that cold.”
Harvest Time – Luke Bryan
Luke Bryan is known for his lyrics about small-town life and agricultural heavy past-times. His song “Harvest Time” is another tune that describes the hard work that goes into cutting and harvesting crops. Folks who hail from small farming towns will appreciate the autumn-heavy lyrics of this song.
“There’s peanut dust and corn husk drifting through the air tonight
the marching band’s warming up under the football lights
there’s tractor trailers backed up down by the elevators
train track grain car’ll roll in later…”
Chill of an Early Fall – George Strait
This 1991 hit by country legend George Strait is another fall country staple. Although the song isn’t a particularly happy one, talking about a cheating lover who is carrying on with an old friend, it’s a must-listen on any country music list about fall songs. Check out our favorite lyrics to see what we mean.
“And I’ll begin to feel the chill of an early fall.
And I’ll be drinking again and thinking whenever he calls,
There’s a storm coming on, it won’t be too long till the snow falls
Oh I’ll be sobersome,
But when October comes and goes and no time at all
I’ll begin to feel the chill of an early fall.”
The Boys of Fall – Kenny Chesney
“The Boys of Fall” by Kenny Chesney celebrates the traditions and excitement of a traditional American past time. The Friday night lights are celebrated in this ode to high school football and what the team means to the town. Anyone who has played football in the fall season at their school or just cheered from the sidelines will remember the feeling when they listen to this fall-inspired tune.
“Well it’s turn to face the stars and stripes, it’s fighting back them butterflies
it’s call it in the air, alright, yes sir we want the ball
And it’s knocking heads and talking trash, it’s slinging mud and dirt and grass
it’s I got your number, I got your back, when your backs against the wall
you mess with one man, you got us all, the boys of fall.”
Bring the Harvest Home – Chris Knight
Chris Knight’s depiction of fall in “Bring the Harvest Home” is heart-warming and beautiful. Through his nostalgic references of the harvest season, he makes references to his home being this particular season. Anyone missing the country harvest back “home” during this autumn season will surely appreciate this tune.
“It was just a waste of seed I left everything I cared for
Neglected in the weeds, But my love for sweet Rebecca
Just keeps growing on and on
And it’s time, I bring the harvest home”
Indian Summer – Brooks & Dunn
A country classic, this song has been covered by many well-known artists but our particular favorite is by county sensations Brooks & Dunn. The lyrics explore many distinct features of the autumn season including leaves, September, and even America’s favorite sport: football. This song definitely has that perfect Fall vibe.
“Blue haze circled ’round, the cold gray moon.
While the wind chased the leaves outside. Passion found a
place to hide. Late September heat, Couldn’t be denied.”
International Harvester – Craig Morgan
Looking for something fun as the foliage begins? This song is sure to put a smile on your face as it serves as a tribute to America’s homegrown farmers. The lyrics are a warm delight speaking toward harvest time and crops, plus familiar farming family life. Anyone who’s ever been apart of the 4H club will immediately relate.
I’m a God fearin’ hard workin’ combine driver, Hoggin’ up the road on my p-p-p-p-plower
Chug a lug a luggin’ 5 miles an hour On my International Harvester
Three miles of cars layin’ on their horns Fallin’ on deaf ears of corn
Lined up behind me like a big parade
Homegrown – Zac Brown Band
As the cool crisp air arrives, this song serves as a perfect combination in welcoming Fall. Sweater weather means warm fireplaces, whiskey cocktails, and Zac Brown Band. They sing about “Homegrown” in relation to friends and favorite past times, namely, fire pits, riverside fun, and those sweet Georgia pine’s. Everything you need, and nothing you don’t!
“I got a piece of land out in the country side
Lay back and smell the sun warm up the Georgia pine
Been so good to me, takin’ it easy. Why would I ever leave? ‘Cause I know
I got some good friends that live down the street
Live in a small town where it feels like home
I’ve got everything I need, and nothin’ that I don’t”
Fall – Clay Walker
While the title might suggest that the song talks specifically about the changing seasons and arriving in Fall, it’s actually not about the weather at all. Still, this country ballad pays homage to partnerships and leaning on those you love. This song can serve as a beautiful pick-me-up and reminder that you can always depend on those you care about most to be there for you no matter what season.
“Fall, go on and fall apart Fall into these arms of mine
I’ll catch you every time you fall
Go on and lose it all
Every doubt, every fear, every worry, every tear
I’m right here… Baby, fall.”
And there you have it! That should keep you going through the fall season, but those are our top choices of best fall country songs. If you type in “fall country” in Spotify, you’ll see there are a few good playlists (some of these songs included in those).
