Happy Music Monday! It's Labor Day! So Scott's taking the day off. But he's left us post in honor of the arrival of Autumn. Today we're taking a look at the songs about September, the month that's both a beginning and an end. Sort of like the ocean, September marks the end of one thing and the return of the next. Like children, we dread the end of summer, but we look forward to the next chapter of life that starts in the fall. Maybe that's why it's such a good metaphor for romance? And that's where Scott's starting this week:
Barry White - September When I First Met You
Hit play. You should be groovin' along right about… now. Ain't nobody as smooth as Barry White. This song has the warmth of a September sun, but the crispness of a September afternoon. You can hear the promise in Barry's voice too, he's gonna hang on to this one no matter how cold the winter gets later.
Join us after the jump as we explore the paradox that is September. Maybe you'll have your own songs to offer as well!
Before we head inside, remember our new Spotify playlist will be featuring a great selection from last week's Music Monday comments. The theme of the mix this time is Girl Groups and you're probably gonna be dancing to it for the rest of the day. Come back to it and get happy if September has you feeling down.
Ah, young love. Who hasn't made a new crush as the weather began to change? Even as grownups, we still feel the pull. That shy, just-waiting-to-be-noticed guitar wants to take you to the football game, but can't quite figure out how to ask. Maybe by December it'll work itself out, but right now it's still September, and nothing is certain.
Type-O Negative - September Sun
I'm not a huge Type-O Negative fan, but this song really does catch the gentle moody glory of September. The leaves will change, the clouds will appear, people start actively talking about holiday plans… it's not as easy as a warm July afternoon in a hammock. Naturally, I'm reading into that, as Peter Steele likely uses September as a metaphor for his own breakup (and prison term) but doesn't that just prove my point about what September means to us all?
Okay, okay, maybe I'm overdoing the seasonal affective disorder this time. But David Sylvian's short piano-heavy ode to September (it's just the first 1:17) really is beautiful. Like a grey weekend when you've got nothing to do but lie in bed and be introspective, this song captures the quiet moments that happen when you don't really feel like going out. You're not sad, you're not excited, you're just a little bit September. We all need that once in a while, right? Keeps us thinking. Keeps us honest.
Johnnie Taylor - It's September
Johnnie Taylor's funky story of an autumn breakup closes us out. It's nothing fancy, just a soulful story of a relationship that grew cold with the seasons. But even as things go bad, our hero still holds onto hope. And why not? Because even if it doesn't work now, there's always next summer, right?
So Scott missed a bunch, right? Well, he was probably rushing out the door for his PAX coverage. Anyway, it's your turn now. Drop your favorite September themed songs in the comments below and show him what he's missing. Also feel free to stop by our Turntable.fm room for the regular Music Monday enjoyment. Though it's Labor Day, they're pretty dedicated, so you'll probably find them hanging out! Also, let us just remind you: some images come from the corresponding Wikipedia page and are here under fair use.