4 Timeless November Songs

November is upon us and this list celebrates songs written in honor of the 11th month of the Gregorian calendar.

A very famous piano ballad by Guns N’ Roses won’t be listed here because you probably don’t need to be reminded of Axl Rose’s hit or its dramatic and expensive music video.

Still, here are four timeless November songs not called “November Rain.”

“Mr. November” by The National from Alligator (2005)

Singer Matt Berninger told Vice the song was partially inspired by John Kerry’s 2004 presidential run against George W. Bush. Berninger also said, “We don’t think of ourselves as a political band. If you read into the lyrics of any of our supposedly political songs, they aren’t partisan messages. They aren’t protests.” The song addresses ego, the absurdity of someone thinking they can or should be president of the United States.

“Sweet November” by SZA from Z (2014)

SZA sampled Marvin Gaye’s “Mandota” on “Sweet November.” She begins the song singing, Jesus called me collect last night / It took all of me not to answer it. The neo-soul track documents a near-death experience and comes across as someone living in a hazy state of sickness, not knowing whether they’ll survive. Its title comes from the 2001 film Sweet November, starring Keanu Reeves and Charlize Theron.

“November Air” by Zach Bryan from Quiet, Heavy Dreams (2020)

An aging parent in a small town, alone, dreaming to see her children flourish. Zach Bryan uses the metaphor of changing seasons for life’s vanishing years. A child writes to his mother on postcards. They are distant from one another, and Bryan’s lonesome folk is at once heartbreaking and nostalgic, with the fatalist despair of leaving both a small town and his mother behind.

“November” by Tyler, the Creator from Flower Boy (2017)

November’s place on the calendar makes it perfect for nostalgia. The end of the year nears, winter looms, blurring holidays, and before long, resolutions for a new year. Tyler, the Creator raps “what if” scenarios that fill with cascading anxiety. Finally, his fears peak with the track’s closing voicemail greeting: “Hello, no one is available to take your call. Please leave a message after the tone.” The previous verses list fond memories from November. Tyler wishes to go back to escape the things keeping him up at night. To begin anew. For that, he’ll have to wait for spring.  

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