Playlist: 24 Witchy Songs To Celebrate the Fall Equinox
For most, the arrival of fall is more a feeling than a temperature drop. An ethereal shift in the winds perhaps or just your inaugural pumpkin spice latte order — whatever marks the change of the season, the collective gearing up for Autumn is here. To celebrate the best time of year, we’ve put together a collection of songs that pay homage to the witchy sirens who so perfectly capture this mystic season. From the queen of them all (Stevie Nicks) to newer additions to the coven (LORDE), this playlist is sure to conjure the spirits. If you plan on celebrating the fall equinox, which lands on September 22, then this playlist is a must. So get witchy, revel in the power of song and hit play.
1.“Rhiannon” by Fleetwood Mac
Maybe the most famous of all witches, Stevie Nicks is the total embodiment of magical badassery. From her love of haunting melodies to her wardrobe and stage presence, it’s clear that Stevie Nicks has a deep connection with the ether. In a quote from Interview Magazine, she said,
“A long, long time ago I decided I was going to have a kind of mystical presence, so I made my clothes, my boots, my hair, and my whole being go with that. But it wasn’t something I just made up at that point. It’s the way I’ve always been. I’ve always believed in good witches, fairies and angels.”
The video below is enough proof, and Rhiannon is the perfect place to start off this playlist, as its origins lie in the story of “an old Welsh witch.”
4.“Lovely Head” by Goldfrapp
The 2000 debut album from UK artist Goldfrapp is an impressive start to what would become a prolific career. The record is beautifully written and produced. Supremely haunting, there is a mesmerizing quality to the whole thing and is quite different from the more glam rock dance records Goldfrapp would later release. At times both insidious and seductive, the first track off the album “Lovely Head” sets a very particular tone which can only be described as ‘60s noir meets creepy circus troupe.
8.“Joga” by Bjork
Hailing from Iceland, Bjork has always showcased her spiritual connection to nature, from her stage design to her wondrous videos. (She made an entire album devoted to the elements with 2011’s Biophilia). The avant garde artist has pushed all artistic boundaries over the last two decades and continues to do so today. The video for “Joga” off her 1997 album Homogenic, features the landscapes of her homeland, most likely in reference to the “emotional landscapes” she mentions in the lyrics.
12. “Femme Fatale” by The Velvet Underground and Nico
With a brooding vibe and voice to match, the beloved German singer-songwriter Nico, gained a massive cult following in the ‘60s and ‘70s, not only by her association with the Velvet Underground but through her distinctly gloomy look and voice. Often dubbed the original goth girl, Nico went on to record solo albums that drew upon her medieval roots. Using harpsichords and glockenspiels paired with pastoral and personal references, Nico’s influence is everlasting.
16.“Los Ageless” by St. Vincent
Over the course of six albums, St. Vincent has gone from indie darling to audacious provocateur. A guitar-wielding powerhouse, St. Vincent went sleeker, bolder and more electric on her newest record “Masseduction.” Both a daring sonic and visual artist, St. Vincent is a hypnotic performer and no doubt has had many a fan fall under her spell.
20. “Rise” by Solange
Solange’s 2016 album A Seat at the Table was more than a record — it became a movement, an anthem and a sonic protest. In a time of political unrest, Solange came out on top, debuting at number one on the US Billboard 200. But accolades aside, if you’ve ever seen Solange live, than you know that she takes performance to an entirely new level. It feels almost spiritual in nature, with large scale abstract build-outs, a choreographed back up band, and of course outstanding vocals. This performance on the Tonight Show is just a taste. True magic.
24.“The Devil Had A Hold Of Me” by Gillian Welch
Combining Appalachian music, bluegrass, country and Americana, Gillian Welch taps into humanity’s more mysterious qualities. With sparse arrangements, Welch’s voice can vacillate between angelic and unsettling, mirroring the kind of music that comes from the rural south. One of the most prolific and beloved artists in her genre, Welch’s music is truly transporting. So as the leaves change colors, let her pull you to the fog and mystery of the Blue Ridge Mountains.