This transitional month has inspired musicians across genres to reflect on themes of change, nostalgia, and introspection.
As the days grow shorter and the chill of autumn sets in, there’s something evocative about Songs About November.
From ballads of heartbreak to reflections on historical events, November holds a unique place in the hearts of many artists.
Whether it’s the fading warmth of fall or the emotional weight the month carries, these songs capture the essence of November in powerful and poignant ways.
Join us as we explore a collection of songs that beautifully encapsulate the mood and meaning of this complex time of year.
1. “Mr. November” by The National (2005)
About this song:
- Album: Alligator
- Released: 2005
- Artist: The National
- Genre: Rock
- Key Lyric: “I won’t fuck us over, I’m Mr. November. I’m Mr. November, I won’t fuck us over.”
Released in 2005, “Mr. November” is a standout track from The National’s Alligator album.
The song was written by band members Matt Berninger and Aaron Dessner and is seen as a politically charged anthem.
Berninger explained that the song reflects feelings of doubt and pressure inspired by the political climate of the U.S. presidential elections.
“Mr. November” uses November as a metaphor for a turning point, representing both change and uncertainty.
The reference to November in the song is linked to the American elections held during that month, symbolizing both personal and societal anxieties.
2. “November” by J Church (1994)
About this song:
- Album: Camels, Spilled Corona and the Sound of Mariachi Bands
- Released: 1994
- Artist: J Church
- Genre: Punk
- Key Lyric: “We only dream to float downstream, reminded by the rain. Tied to a tree, cannot break free, reminded by the rain.”
J Church’s song “November” was released in 1994 as part of their Camels, Spilled Corona and the Sound of Mariachi Bands album.
Frontman Lance Hahn wrote this punk rock track, exploring themes of nostalgia and melancholy.
The song reflects the bleakness of November, capturing the emotional weight the month carries for many people.
Hahn composed the track in response to personal losses, associating the cold, transitional time of November with sadness.
November is portrayed as a metaphor for fading memories and the inevitable passage of time.
3. “November Has Come” by Gorillaz and MF DOOM (2005)
About this song:
- Album: Demon Days
- Released: 2005
- Artist: Gorillaz, MF DOOM
- Genre: Pop
- Key Lyric: “Something has started today. Where did it go? What you want it to be? Well, you know November has come. When it’s gone away.”
“November Has Come” was featured on Gorillaz’s Demon Days album, released in 2005, and includes a guest appearance by MF DOOM.
This song was penned by Gorillaz’s Damon Albarn and MF DOOM, blending alternative hip hop with electronic beats.
The lyrics reflect a time of decline and darkness, a common theme for November as the days grow shorter and colder.
The song’s deeper meaning addresses societal decay and impending doom, which November, as a somber month, symbolically represents.
November, in this song, marks a period of reckoning, both personal and collective, as the world edges toward the end of the year.
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4. “Late November” by Sandy Denny (1971)
About this song:
- Album: The North Star Grassman and the Ravens
- Released: 1971
- Artist: Sandy Denny
- Genre: Pop, Rock, Folk
- Key Lyric: “The wine it was drunk, the ship it was sunk. The shot it was dead, all the sorrows were drowned.”
Released in 1971, Sandy Denny’s “Late November” was part of her first solo album, The North Star Grassman and the Ravens.
Denny, an iconic British folk singer, wrote this haunting track after leaving the band Fairport Convention.
The song reflects on loss and longing, with November marking the time of reflection and transition in her life.
She composed the song after the tragic death of Fairport Convention’s drummer, Martin Lamble, capturing the emotional weight of grief.
November, in this context, represents a season of sorrow and introspection, with the late part of the month signifying the end of something significant.
5. “Remember November” by Juliana Hatfield (2008)
About this song:
- Album: How to Walk Away
- Released: 2008
- Artist: Juliana Hatfield
- Genre: Alternative/Indie, Pop
- Key Lyric: “Remember November, remember November. Away in the dark you made me feel something. And gave me a reason to keep trying.”
Juliana Hatfield released “Remember November” in 2008 on her album How to Walk Away.
Hatfield, known for her introspective and personal songwriting, penned this song about the power of memory and reflection.
The song deals with the significance of November as a month when emotions are heightened, memories come flooding back, and decisions are reconsidered.
Hatfield composed this track as a way to cope with a difficult breakup, using the cold of November as a backdrop for emotional healing.
November in this song symbolizes a time to pause and remember, serving as a moment of clarity before the end of the year.
6. “Sweet November” by SZA (2014)
About this song:
- Album: Z
- Released: 2014
- Artist: SZA
- Genre: R&B/Soul, Alternative/Indie, Hip-Hop/Rap
- Key Lyric: “Remember me for who I was not who I am. I’ll pray you never understand this sweet. Sweet, sweet, sweet November.”
“Sweet November” was released by SZA in 2014 on her debut album Z.
The song was written by SZA (Solána Imani Rowe) and deals with themes of love and the fleeting nature of time.
In “Sweet November,” November is portrayed as a metaphor for a fleeting romance, sweet but short-lived like the month itself.
SZA composed the song during a reflective period of her life, looking back on relationships that came and went.
November is used as a symbol for the sweetness and transience of love, much like the end of fall that November represents.
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7. “November Blue” by The Avett Brothers (2002)
About this song:
- Album: Country Was
- Released: 2002
- Artist: The Avett Brothers
- Genre: Rock, Folk
- Key Lyric: “November spells sweet memory. The season blue remains.”
“November Blue” by The Avett Brothers was released in 2002 on their album Country Was.
The song, written by band members Scott and Seth Avett, is a melancholic folk tune reflecting on loss and heartache.
In the song, November serves as a metaphor for emotional coldness and the end of something cherished.
The Avett Brothers were inspired by their Southern upbringing, using November to evoke the feeling of fading warmth and the onset of winter.
November symbolizes the end of a relationship in this song, with the “blue” of November conveying the sadness and loneliness that often accompanies the month.
8. “Fall Into November” by The Folk Implosion (1997)
About this song:
- Album: Dare to Be Surprised
- Released: 1997
- Artist: The Folk Implosion
- Genre: Alternative/Indie
- Key Lyric: “Summer into fall into November.”
“Fall Into November” was released in 1997 as part of The Folk Implosion’s album Dare to Be Surprised.
The band, led by Lou Barlow, wrote this indie track with a dreamy, reflective quality, exploring the transition between seasons.
The song reflects the passage of time and the emotional shifts that come with entering November.
Composed during a time of personal change for Barlow, November in the song marks a moment of surrender to the inevitable coldness of life.
November serves as a metaphor for transition, capturing the uncertainty and reflection that accompanies the season.
9. “Rose Hip November” by Vashti Bunyan (1970)
About this song:
- Album: Just Another Diamond Day
- Released: 1970
- Artist: Vashti Bunyan
- Genre: Folk
- Key Lyric: “Rose hip November. Autumn I’ll remember. Gold landing at our door. Catch one leaf and fortune will surround you evermore.”
“Rose Hip November” was released in 1970 on Vashti Bunyan’s Just Another Diamond Day album.
Bunyan, known for her delicate folk style, wrote this song inspired by nature and the changing seasons.
The song uses the image of rose hips, often harvested in November, to symbolize the beauty found even in times of decline.
Written after a journey through the English countryside, the song reflects on November’s role in the natural cycle of life.
November, in this case, represents a time of quiet beauty and reflection, where the world prepares for the stillness of winter.
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10. “November Air” by Zach Bryan (2020)
About this song:
- Album: Quiet, Heavy Dreams
- Released: 2020
- Artist: Zach Bryan
- Genre: Country
- Key Lyric: “So tell me tales of all the times and all the seasons you got by. Breathin’ in that cold November air.”
Released in 2020, “November Air” is a heartfelt track by rising country artist Zach Bryan.
Bryan wrote this song with a sense of nostalgia, reflecting on love, loss, and the passage of time.
The song captures the bittersweet nature of November, a month that often brings both reflection and closure.
Written during a period of self-discovery for Bryan, “November Air” uses the cold air of November as a metaphor for emotional clarity and longing.
November, in this song, serves as a backdrop for reflecting on past relationships and the feelings that linger as the year draws to a close.
11. “November Rain” by Guns N’ Roses (1992)
About this song:
- Album: Use Your Illusion I
- Released: 1992
- Artist: Guns N’ Roses
- Genre: Rock
- Key Lyric: “Nothin’ lasts forever. And we both know hearts can change. And it’s hard to hold a candle. In the cold November rain.”
Released in 1992, “November Rain” became an iconic ballad from the album Use Your Illusion I.
Written by Axl Rose, the song explores the emotional journey of heartbreak and the inevitable end of relationships.
The song’s orchestral arrangements and sweeping guitar solos evoke a sense of grandeur and melancholy.
Axl Rose composed it during a period of personal turmoil, using November’s cold, dreary weather as a metaphor for emotional withdrawal.
The mention of November reflects the theme of change and loss, with rain symbolizing tears and sorrow.
12. “November” by Gabrielle Aplin (2013)
About this song:
- Album: English Rain
- Released: 2013
- Artist: Gabrielle Aplin
- Genre: Folk, Pop
- Key Lyric: “I always used to love November. But now, it always floods with rain. Oh, how can I forgive? Those words will stain forever.”
Gabrielle Aplin’s “November” was released in 2013 on her album English Rain.
This indie folk song, written by Aplin herself, speaks about letting go and the inevitable passage of time.
Aplin composed the song while reflecting on a difficult year, using November to symbolize the end of an emotional journey.
The month serves as a quiet, introspective time where past mistakes and memories come into sharp focus.
November, in Aplin’s narrative, acts as a metaphor for emotional closure before moving forward into a new chapter of life.
13. “Gone Till November” by Wyclef Jean (1997)
About this song:
- Album: Wyclef Jean Presents The Carnival
- Released: 1997
- Artist: Wyclef Jean
- Genre: Pop
- Key Lyric: “I’ll be gone ’til November, I’ll be gone ’til November.”
Wyclef Jean’s “Gone Till November” was released in 1997 on his debut solo album Wyclef Jean Presents The Carnival.
Written as a poignant reflection on departure, Jean narrates the story of a man leaving for an unspecified journey, promising to return in November.
Jean composed the song while reflecting on the sacrifices made by those separated from their loved ones due to work, war, or incarceration.
November, in the song, symbolizes hope and reunion, the time when promises may be fulfilled.
The lyrics encapsulate the bittersweet feeling of waiting and the uncertainty that November brings for those longing for loved ones.
14. “November” by Tyler, the Creator (2017)
About this song:
- Album: Flower Boy
- Released: 2017
- Artist: Tyler, the Creator
- Genre: Hip-Hop/Rap
- Key Lyric: “Take me back to November.”
“November” by Tyler, the Creator was released in 2017 as part of his critically acclaimed album Flower Boy.
In this introspective track, Tyler reflects on a period of nostalgia and fear, asking what listeners’ “November” moments are—those pivotal, memorable times.
The song was written during a time of self-doubt for Tyler, with November symbolizing a critical turning point in his personal life.
November represents a safe and cherished time, contrasting the uncertainties of the present.
Tyler uses the month as a metaphor for both the yearning for the past and the fear of an uncertain future.
15. “November Tale” by The Waterboys (2015)
About this song:
- Album: Modern Blues
- Released: 2015
- Artist: The Waterboys
- Genre: Rock
- Key Lyric: “In the grey November light she was older, still alluring.”
The Waterboys released “November Tale” in 2015 on their album Modern Blues.
Written by lead singer Mike Scott, this song tells the story of a fleeting love affair that occurred in November.
Scott’s songwriting reflects a deep sense of melancholy, with the season’s gloom enhancing the emotional intensity of the tale.
November is used as a backdrop for reflection, highlighting the brief but impactful connection between the characters.
The song’s narrative is one of wistful nostalgia, with November marking both the beginning and end of a romantic chapter.
16. “November Twilight” by Julie London (1956)
About this song:
- Album: Calendar Girl
- Released: 1956
- Artist: Julie London
- Genre: Traditional Pop, Vocal Jazz
- Key Lyric: “When life was beautiful. And love was young and gay. November twilight must you stay?”
“November Twilight” was released in 1956 on Julie London’s album Calendar Girl.
Written by Bobby Troup, the song captures the hazy, dreamlike mood of a November evening, filled with a sense of fading light and love.
London’s smooth jazz vocals bring a sultry warmth to the otherwise cold and quiet month of November.
The song reflects the slow, inevitable decline of romance, with twilight representing the end of both the day and a relationship.
November serves as a metaphor for the bittersweet feeling of letting go, with twilight symbolizing the last moments before nightfall.
17. “8th of November” by Big & Rich (2006)
About this song:
- Album: Comin’ to Your City
- Released: 2006
- Artist: Big & Rich
- Genre: Country
- Key Lyric: “On the 8th of November the angels were cryin’.”
Released in 2006, “8th of November” by Big & Rich tells the true story of a soldier’s bravery during the Vietnam War.
Written by the duo, the song recounts the harrowing events of November 8, 1965, honoring the soldiers who fought and sacrificed.
The emotional ballad was inspired by the story of Niles Harris, a Vietnam War veteran who survived a brutal battle on that day.
November 8th serves as a poignant reminder of loss, courage, and the scars of war, marking a significant historical event.
The song’s focus on this November day emphasizes the importance of remembrance and honoring those who served.
18. “November Spawned a Monster” by Morrissey (1990)
About this song:
- Album: Bona Drag
- Released: 1990
- Artist: Morrissey
- Genre: Alternative/Indie, Pop, UK R&B, Rock
- Key Lyric: “One November spawned a monster. In the shape of this child, who later cried.”
Morrissey released “November Spawned a Monster” in 1990 as a single, later included in compilations like Bona Drag.
Co-written by Morrissey and Clive Langer, the song tackles themes of disability, alienation, and societal neglect.
The title suggests that November, a month often associated with bleakness, spawns something tragic and misunderstood.
Morrissey wrote the song to challenge societal perceptions of those considered different or marginalized.
November, in this context, symbolizes coldness and the monstrous way society treats those who are vulnerable or oppressed.
19. “November” by Sleeping With Sirens (2015)
About this song:
- Album: Madness
- Released: 2015
- Artist: Sleeping With Sirens
- Genre: Alternative/Indie
- Key Lyric: “There’s a fire in this November sky. It’s burning up, burning up.”
Released in 2015 on their album Madness, Sleeping With Sirens’ “November” is a reflective rock ballad.
The song was written by lead vocalist Kellin Quinn and explores the feelings of regret and sorrow associated with a relationship that’s ended.
November is used as a metaphor for emotional coldness and the ending of something once vibrant.
The composition came at a time of personal reflection for Quinn, with the month representing the final stages of a decaying relationship.
The cold, somber feel of November mirrors the emotional distance and sadness expressed in the lyrics.
20. “novembre” by November Ultra (2022)
About this song:
- Album: bedroom walls
- Released: 2022
- Artist: November Ultra
- Genre: Pop
- Key Lyric: “November’s all year long now. December never came. I realize I’m alone now. But they all think I’m the same.”
“novembre” was released in 2022 by French artist November Ultra, appearing on her debut album, Bedroom Walls.
The song is a soft, emotional ballad that draws on themes of memory, warmth, and the passage of time.
November Ultra wrote this track as an ode to both the melancholy and beauty that November represents in her life.
In “novembre,” the month is portrayed as a time for introspection and quiet reflection, symbolizing a transition between past and future.
The song’s delicate arrangement and lyrics evoke the softness and stillness of November, capturing the bittersweet nature of the season.
Conclusion
From melancholic ballads to uplifting anthems, these Songs About November remind us of the profound emotions this month can stir.
Each track delves into themes of loss, hope, and transition, making November not just a backdrop but a symbol of life’s many changes.
These songs resonate with listeners, offering both comfort and contemplation as the year winds down.
As November continues to inspire musicians, its significance in music only deepens, reflecting the complexity of human emotion.
So, as the month approaches, take a moment to listen to these tracks and let November’s music tell its timeless story.