Let’s start our list with a song with “September” in the title. Earth Wind & Fire‘s entry is one of the most iconic songs about this particular month. “September” is a classic funk and disco hit that celebrates the joy and love of “the 21st night of September.” The song’s infectious beat emphasizes a carefree “live in the moment” mindset. At the same time, the lyrics reflect on fond memories from the past and are capped off by the meaningless “ba dee ya,” a placeholder lyric that was never changed and contributed to the song’s status as a singalong classic.The catchy chorus hints at a particular time that was important to the singer. But the real meaning of the lyrics is left up to the listener’s imagination.
Our next song, “Wake Me Up When September Ends,” is a rock ballad from Green Day‘s 2004 album American Idiot. The song’s lyrics express the grief and pain of losing a loved one. It’s a tough time for the singer, and he wishes that days would go by past September. Apparently, the month reminds him of his loss. The band’s lead vocalist, Billie Joe Armstrong, penned the song after his father died from esophageal cancer. The song was also a tribute to the casualties of the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Yet another song to add to this category is Natalie Imbruglia‘s “Come September” from her 2001 album White Lilies Island. This song is a melancholy ballad that describes the physical and emotional pain of heartbreak. The singer’s world falls apart even as she searches for a way to cope and find hope. Despite her difficult situation, the song also offers a glimmer of hope. It suggests that everything will be all right in the end, come September. The month signals the changing of the season, and it symbolizes a new start for her.
Up next is The Bangles‘ “September Gurls,” a power-pop song originally by the rock band Big Star. The song is about a man’s infatuation with a girl born in September and how he cannot resist her charm and beauty. Despite being aware of the heartbreak that may come with loving her, he declares his love for her anyway. And he still ends up broken-hearted, saying, “December boy’s got it bad.”