As summer slowly fades and the days begin to shorten, September can be seen as a time of transformation for the leaves around us and our emotions and memories. The most frequently mentioned month in songs, September owes its popularity to this sense of change. This makes it the perfect month for artists to reminisce and capture poignant or happy memories. These songs connect their lyrics to the month of September and the changes it brings, such as the arrival of autumn.
"Wake Me Up When September Ends" - Green Day
This popular rock anthem carries a profoundly melancholic tone, reflecting the deeper emotions associated with September. Green Day conveys themes of loss and longing amidst challenging hardships through its lyrics. Billie Joe Armstrong, the band's frontman, infuses the song with his personal emotions as he recalls his father's death, an experience he underwent at ten years old during September. As the title suggests, the song delves into lyrics that show Armstrong's desire to avoid the month in order to evade a painful memory. The band's raw emotion and sorrow resonate with their listeners, making it one of the most impactful songs centered around this particular month.
"September" - Earth Wind and Fire
“Do you remember the twenty-first night of September?” A timeless and groovy classic, this song emits energy and nostalgia, reflecting on a joyful time that took place in the month of September. Coincidentally, its memorable line referencing the twenty-first or September often aligns with the last day of summer, as fall typically begins on either the twenty-second or twenty-third. However, the band has confirmed that they selected that specific day because it best fits the rhythm and flow of the song. A choice that resonates with the song’s funk and dance elements perfectly captures summer's happy memories.
"Pale September" - Fiona Apple
Another wonderful song that references the ninth month of the year is Fiona Apple’s “Pale September.” The lyrics of Apple’s song are enriched with analogies of the changing seasons, particularly during the month of September. As the track’s title suggests, she characterizes September as pale, signifying the cloudier and gloomier sky as summer concludes and marking the transition into fading memories. Apple reminisces about lonely memories in this melancholic song, eventually finding solace. The song seamlessly aligns with the seasonal shift from summer to the reflective mood of autumn.
Works Cited
Huber, Chris. “The Meaning of Green Day’s ‘Wake Me Up When September Ends.’” Extra Chill, 15 Sept. 2022, https://extrachill.com/green-day-wake-me-up-when-september-ends-meaning.
“Earth, Wind & Fire – September.” Genius, https://genius.com/Earth-wind-and-fire-september-lyrics.
“Fiona Apple – Pale September.” Genius, https://genius.com/Fiona-apple-pale-september-lyrics.