What is it about September that has inspired so many songwriters?
There’s something about this month that causes us to look back and reflect. Maybe it’s the change of the seasons, the losing of the warmth of summer, the slow long glide into winter, but there is that certain mix of nostalgia and reflection that is unlike other months.
We’ve put together a list of some of the most important “September” songs, and I REFUSE to include Neil Diamond’s “September Morn” just for being against Chick Flick songs. The list was tough enough, but then including a definitive version is tough on many of these. Amazing how Frank Sinatra comes up so often, as he must have been a September kind of guy.
- September-Earth, Wind and Fire. So cheerful and upbeat; it
continues the joy of summer - September in the Rain-Frank Sinatra. Possibly the perfect song? Nelson Riddle’s support and
Frank’s attitude make this a gorgeous mix of swagger and romance. - September Song-Frank, Chet Baker, Art Pepper, Sarah
Vaughan with Clifford Brown, Willie Nelson and even James 
Brown: One of the most lyrical songs about the 9th month, it creates a rich imagination of reflection - September of My Years-Frank Sinatra. A gorgeously depressing song about reaching middle age. Essential listening, especially if
accompanied by reading Don Quixote.
- See You In September-The Happenings. A cheerful and hopeful ditty of teenage romance that mixes doo wop with high school puppy love
September Night-Van Morrison. This song is quite an obscurity, but this dreamy instrumental deserves a second listen and maybe a few jazz interpretations.- It’s September-Johnny Taylor. This is a swampy
Memphis bluesy month, as Taylor greases into this one. - Maybe September-Tony Bennett-from the film The Oscar, this flute filled collection
of melancholia is a close second to Sinatra’s reflections listed above. - Sweet September-Bill Evans (maybe Buddy Morrow). This is a fully orchestrated piece of winsome drama. You can almost hear the
waves crashing during the fall sunset - Autumn Leaves-Frank Sinatra, Chet Baker, Cannonball Adderley, Bill Evans, Ben Webster (for starters). Yes, technically this song doesn’t specify September, but let’s be honest, it’s always associated with the leaves
changing color, which starts in September.
Get a handful of these songs into your iphone and drive through a cloudy and drizzly day for the full affect.