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- Why Fall Depression Hits Hard: Less Sunlight Means Less Serotonin in Your Brain
- What Makes Songs Fight Depression: Warm Bass, Real Instruments, Major Keys, and 120 BPM
- The 27-Song Playlist Saving My October: From Dua Lipa to Earth, Wind & Fire
- How to Actually Use This Playlist: Gentle Mornings, Energetic Commutes, Mellow Evenings
Look, I’ve been making playlists since I was 15. After all these years, I can tell you this much: the right songs can completely change your day. In fact, there are mornings where I’ve felt like absolute garbage, put on the right track, and by the time it’s over, I’m ready to tackle whatever comes my way.
Why Fall Depression Hits Hard: Less Sunlight Means Less Serotonin in Your Brain
Here’s what’s actually happening in your brain right now. Essentially, when the sun decides to clock out at 5 PM, your body makes less serotonin—that’s the chemical keeping you from feeling like everything sucks. It’s literally your brain chemistry going “well, this is new and I don’t like it.”
However, music—specifically music you actually like—triggers dopamine release. That’s the same feel-good chemical you get from eating pizza or getting a compliment. Consequently, I’ve spent way too much time figuring out which songs hit different when you’re in that fall funk, and there’s definitely a pattern to what works.
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What Makes Songs Fight Depression: Warm Bass, Real Instruments, Major Keys, and 120 BPM
Not every upbeat song does the job. In reality, some are too aggressive, some feel fake-happy, some just miss the mark. The ones that actually pull you out of a slump? They’ve got these things in common:
A bass that wraps around you: Something warm, round, present. You feel it in your chest and it just grounds you somehow.
Actual instruments played by humans: A guitar you can hear someone strumming, drums with a real kit, brass that breathes. There’s something about hearing real people play that makes you feel less isolated.
Chords that sound hopeful: Most live in major keys—they sound brighter, more open. Your brain picks up on that before you even register the lyrics.
A tempo that gets you moving: Somewhere around 115-125 BPM where you naturally start bobbing your head without deciding to.
The 27-Song Playlist Saving My October: From Dua Lipa to Earth, Wind & Fire
Alright, real talk. These are the tracks I’ve had on repeat this month. Furthermore, I’ve tested every single one on my worst October mornings, and they deliver.
Morning Energy
“Levitating” – Dua Lipa: That disco bass at the beginning? Perfection. The strings come in and suddenly you remember why being awake isn’t terrible.
“As It Was” – Harry Styles: The synth line gets stuck in your head, but not in an annoying way. Instead, it keeps you humming all day.
“Good 4 U” – Olivia Rodrigo: Pop-punk energy that reminds you you’re not going to let a season push you around.
“Flowers” – Miley Cyrus: Self-love meets funk. That groove just makes you feel capable.
Midday Boost
“Don’t Start Now” – Dua Lipa: The confidence this injects into you is ridiculous. That bass drop? Chef’s kiss.
“Blinding Lights” – The Weeknd: Those 80s synths make a boring Tuesday feel like you’re driving through a neon-lit city.
“Heat Waves” – Glass Animals: Nostalgic without dragging you down. It reminds you of good times while keeping you moving forward.
“Anti-Hero” – Taylor Swift: Somehow calls yourself out and hypes yourself up simultaneously.
Instant Sunshine
“La Bicicleta” – Carlos Vives & Shakira: Bottled Colombian sunshine. Those accordion bits? Pure joy.
“Vivir Mi Vida” – Marc Anthony: The salsa horns literally won’t let you stay in a bad mood.
“Bailando” – Enrique Iglesias: Those Latin rhythms remind your body it knows how to move.
“Hips Don’t Lie” – Shakira: That cumbia beat bypasses your brain and goes straight to your hips.
Never-Fail Classics
“Happy” – Pharrell Williams: Everyone’s heard it, but it works every single time. Sometimes the obvious choice is correct.
“September” – Earth, Wind & Fire: I’m fully convinced this has actual medicinal properties. Those horns are engineered for happiness.
“I Wanna Dance with Somebody” – Whitney Houston: Pure, distilled joy. Whitney’s voice alone could power a small city.
“Mr. Blue Sky” – Electric Light Orchestra: Jeff Lynne created an entire orchestra of optimism with this track.
Modern Hits
“Electric Feel” – MGMT: Groovy, slightly psychedelic, totally uplifting.
“Feel It Still” – Portugal. The Man: Cool, laid-back confidence that’s infectious.
“Shut Up and Dance” – Walk the Moon: That guitar riff is instant dopamine.
“Good Days” – SZA: Quietly reminds you that things actually do get better.
“Sunroof” – Nicky Youre: Just pure, uncomplicated happiness set to a beat.
Rock Energy
“Mr. Brightside” – The Killers: Gets everyone hyped every time.
“Dog Days Are Over” – Florence + The Machine: That build-up is cathartic. Florence’s voice soars and takes you with it.
“Send Me on My Way” – Rusted Root: Makes you want to pack a bag and go somewhere.
How to Actually Use This Playlist: Gentle Mornings, Energetic Commutes, Mellow Evenings
Here’s the strategy that actually works. First, mornings need a gentle start—your brain is barely online. Hit it with mid-tempo tracks like “As It Was” before going full energy mode.
Next, your commute is prime territory for high-energy stuff. Stuck in traffic? “Don’t Start Now.” Turn your annoying commute into a private concert. Sing off-key if you want—nobody’s judging.
Finally, evenings require calibration. Keep it upbeat but dial back the intensity. You want “Heat Waves,” not “Good 4 U.” Maintain good vibes without being wired at 11 PM.
Additionally, sound quality actually matters. You don’t need expensive headphones, but get off those tinny phone speakers. Even $30 earbuds make a massive difference in hearing the bass, the layers, the warmth.
Once a day, try active listening. Phone down, eyes closed. Actually notice the instruments, the production choices, where everything sits in the mix. It’s like meditation but way more fun.
When you play the right song, your heartbeat literally syncs with the tempo. Meanwhile, your stress hormone drops and your brain floods with dopamine. It’s not placebo—it’s your body responding to organized sound waves in predictable, measurable ways.
But here’s what really matters: making your own playlist gives you control in a season that feels chaotic. Fall is unpredictable, heavy, darker every day. However, curating your soundtrack? That’s you saying “this is my vibe, this is what today sounds like.” That sense of agency matters way more than people realize.
This is my playlist, but yours needs to be different. Therefore, add the song from that road trip or the track from that night you had fun. Nostalgia plus upbeat energy is absolutely unbeatable. Those personal connections turn a good song into your song.
Furthermore, share it. Make it collaborative with friends. Some of my best discoveries came from seeing what lifts up the people I care about. Music’s better when it’s shared.
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October doesn’t have to be the month you just survive. Instead, with the right soundtrack, it can be a time of spontaneous dance breaks and finding warmth even when it’s freezing outside. Download these tracks, queue them up, and let them remind you that feeling good is literally just a play button away.
Now excuse me, “September” just came on and I’ve got some air drumming to do.
