The 9 Best ‘September’ Songs, From Earth, Wind & Fire to Green Day (Staff Picks)

Do you remember? 9/1/2026 Earth, Wind & Fire performing on February 3rd 1978. Left to right: Verdine White, Maurice White, Philip Bailey and Al McKay. Michael Putland/Getty Images As far as months go, September takes on a lot of meaning. The link between the end of summer’s dog days and the beginning of autumn’s embrace, it marks a distinct period of transition for many of us each year. It’s no surprise, then, that a number of different artists have had something to say about the ninth month on our calendars. For many of them — whether it’s James Taylor, Daughtry or, of course, Earth, Wind & Fire — September represents nostalgia, reflection and memories as vivid as the fall leaves soon will be. For others, it’s a time to look forward, such as on the lyrics of Frank Sinatra’s ode to aging, “The September of My Years,” while others might prefer to skip the month entirely, like on Green Day’s “Wake Me Up When September Ends,” written about the death of frontman Billie Joe Armstrong’s father. “I think it’s something that just stayed with me — the month of September always being that anniversary,” he told Howard Stern in 2019. “When things happen like that when you’re that young, it’s almost like life starts at year zero.” So as the final third of the year gets underway, Billboard is making a list of our favorite tracks, named after, inspired by and dedicated to September. No matter what month No. 9 means to you, be it beginnings, endings or something else entirely, there’s something here for you to put on repeat for the next 30 days. Check out the best September songs by Fiona Apple, Neil Diamond, Dinah Washington and more below. Daughtry, “September” Year: 2009 “September-est” lyric: “Summer’s never looked the same/ The years go by and time just seems to fly/ But the memories remain/ In the middle of September we’d still play out in the rain.” Listen here. Sparky Deathcap, “September” Year: 2009 “September-est” lyric: “Watching the starlings as autumn draws in/ As they make ghosts across London fields.” Listen here. James Taylor, “September Grass” Year: 2002 “September-est” lyric: “Oh, September grass is the sweetest kind/ It goes down easy like apple wine.” Listen here. Dinah Washington, “September in the Rain” Year: 1960 “September-est” lyric: “The leaves of brown/ Came tumbling down, remember/ In September.” Listen here. Frank Sinatra, “The September of My Years” Year: 1965 “September-est” lyric: “And I find that I’m smiling gently as I near/ September, the warm September of my years/ The golden, warm September of my years.” Listen here. Neil Diamond, “September Morn'” Year: 1979 “September-est” lyric: “September morn’/ We danced until the night/ Became a brand new day/ Two lovers playing scenes/ From some romantic play/ September morning/ Still can make me feel that way.” Listen here. Fiona Apple, “Pale September” Year: 1996 “September-est” lyric: “Pale September, I wore the time like a dress that year/ The autumn days swung soft around me like cotton on my skin/ But as the embers of the summer lost their breath and disappeared/ My heart went cold.” Listen here. Green Day, “Wake Me Up When September Ends” Year: 2004 “September-est” lyric: “Summer has come and passed/ The innocent can never last/ Wake me up when September ends.” Listen here. Earth, Wind & Fire, “September” Year: 1978 “September-est” lyric: “Do you remember/ The 21st night of September?” Listen here. Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox Sign Up