All good things must come to an end -- including summer. But there's no end of great songs that capture the mood and the spirit of fall. Whether you're closing up the cottage or heading off to the first day of school, here are 10 great end-of-summer songs to put on your playlist.
September Gurls | Big Star
Alex Chilton's poignant ode to young love -- between September girls who "do so much" and December boys who got it bad -- has a paisley jangle that suits autumn to a "T".
Maggie May | Rod Stewart
It's late September and Rod should be at school -- but can't leave the cougar who stole his heart, wrecked his bed and kicked him in the head.
We're Going to be Friends | White Stripes
In this pretty folk number, Jack White heads off to the first day of school in his new shoes, meets a girl named Suzy Lee on the way, and sticks by her side. Aww.
Wake Me Up When September Ends | Green Day
"Summer has come and passed, the innocent can never last," Billie Joe Armstrong sings. The song is about his father's death -- but the sense of loss is universal.
Rock 'N' Roll High School | The Ramones
They don't care about history. It's not where they wanna be. They just wanna have some kicks and get some chicks. What else would you expect from The Ramones?
Boys of Summer | Don Henley
The Eagles drummer cruises the empty streets of a lakeside beach town, driving past his brown-skinned ex's house. She's out playing the field, but he can wait. He's Don Henley, after all.
All Summer Long | Beach Boys
"We've been having fun all summer long," the Boys harmonize on this classic. But it "won't be long till summer time is through." And daddy takes the T-bird away.
School Days | Chuck Berry
After a long day of American history and practical math, there's no better option than heading to the juke joint, plugging the machine and dancing. Hail, hail, rock 'n' roll.
Night Moves | Bob Seger
With autumn closing in, a too-tall and skinny Seger and his black-haired beauty with big dark eyes spend their nights in the back seat of his '60 Chevy. Who can blame him?
Harvest Festival | XTC
The British popsters celebrate an autumn school assembly -- and a budding romance between two young students who share a longing look. Gorgeous.
The National's doc director Tom Berninger:"ťA star is born."ť Canadian fans of The National have two reasons to rejoice. The Brooklyn-based indie rockers will release their sixth album, Trouble Will Find Me, on May 21 following that up with three dates in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. As an added bonus in Toronto ... Read more
Crank up the bass - it's almost summer By now, you've removed your winter tires, dusted off your spring jacket and glimpsed at that elusive orange orb in the sky. Remember summer? It's almost back. When warm weather makes a comeback each year, there's nothing like that first drive. That first ... Read more
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