Easing into the fall season and finalizing my very careful playlist curation of numbers to keep me in the autumn mood, here’s what’s on my playlist for the month of October.

Bruce Springsteen’s “I’m On Fire” has not only dominated my playlist but also my mind and believe it or not has stopped me from actually being productive, it’s the kind of song that makes you want to stay in bed all day. “I’m On Fire” is Springsteen’s most popular song for a reason, I believe it wholeheartedly deserves that spot on the leaderboard and could never be overrated in any way.

The sensuality of Springsteen’s vocals creates a narrative that it’s sung to one person, instead of reaching to the whole listener base and the mild country backing instrumental selling the song and leaving it reminiscent of the transition between late summer to early autumn, it’s the perfect tune for those fresh rainy mornings when the leaves are in that green-ish auburn tone and falling off one by one.

Moving onto the next track on my playlist, “I Have a Woman Inside My Soul” by Yoko Ono. Yoko Ono, despite the harsh criticism she receives, is an amazing artist and would be recognized as that more often if people were to actually dive into her discography instead of just writing off her squealing experimental and avant-garde music as all she has to offer–and if raging Beatles fans didn’t blindly point at her for breaking up the already falling apart band.

“I Have a Woman Inside My Soul” is the song that really sold Ono on me as someone who was just beginning to understand her, it’s such a soft-spoken and gentle song which makes it so replayable and calming.

The placid instrumental and soft strumming of the acoustic guitar gives it such a homemade feel–the backing vocals nearing the end of the track emphasizing that specific feel–everything about the moody track makes it a staple for every fall playlist.

“When Doves Cry” cover by legend Patti Smith. “When Doves Cry” was originally written by the notorious Prince, is honestly one of my least favorite songs by Prince and I believe Patti Smith reprised the song with her cover, which is why I have her version of the classic on my playlist instead.

Smith emphasizes the moody themes of the original, putting it into her already moody and angsty style of music, turning the track into this very uniquely mellow and dark track.

Keeping her instrumentals simple and her low voice dragging every verse makes the song feel personal and real.

Smith’s delivery of the chorus is filled with emotion, especially towards the end, the spacious instrumental being overshadowed by her deep and angsty vocals. Nothing could ever make me not like this cover, it’s so raw and so perfect for the moody and dark fall season.

“Every Breath You Take” by The Police is an obvious staple for October, it’s a song with this creepy stalker undertones, the lyrics–obviously–about someone being observed and watched at all times, but the contrasting romantic instrumental and delivery of the lyrics make the song so romantic, the singer is obsessed with the subject..In in this really weird stalker way.

Despite the weird theming of the track, “Every Breath You Take” is THE perfect track for October, keeping the early autumn season creepy and mellow with the classic guitar scale and gentle instrumental. The vocals are so raw and filled with emotion really sell the song as a man dealing with the post break-up phase and an insane stalker watching your every move.

“Every Breath You Take” is a song that you can listen to all month round even on Halloween, every component of the song keeps it subtly creepy enough to listen to no matter the occasion.

Again, a staple for every fall and Halloween playlist.

Those are my top tracks for the month of October.