we fell in love in october

"we fell in love in october" is a sincere and heartfelt ode to a blossoming queer romance. At its core, the song celebrates the giddy, all-consuming feeling of falling in love, specifically framing this experience within the cozy, atmospheric setting of autumn. The lyrics paint a picture of a relationship in its beautiful, early stages, filled with intimate moments like smoking cigarettes on a roof and admiring the stars. The song is a declaration of love and a proud claiming of a same-sex relationship, which was a significant part of its initial impact. Norwegian singer-songwriter Marie Ulven, known as girl in red, has spoken about how the song was written in 2015 about her first relationship with a girl. The repeated, almost chanted chorus "My girl, my girl, my girl / You will be my girl" acts as a powerful and unambiguous affirmation of her affection and identity, a way of "owning the relationship" after having struggled with accepting it. This directness has resonated deeply with many listeners, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community, establishing the song as a queer anthem.

The song captures the tender and idyllic moments of a budding romance that blossomed in the crisp autumn air of October. The narrative opens with an intimate and slightly rebellious scene: the narrator and their partner are on a rooftop, sharing cigarettes. This elevated, private space symbolizes their own world, away from everything else, where the narrator is captivated by their partner's beauty against the backdrop of the view. The repeated line, "We fell in love in October, that's why I love fall," firmly roots their love story in this specific time of year, forever associating the season with the warmth and happiness of their relationship. Stargazing becomes another significant memory, an act of quiet admiration and shared wonder. It's a moment of appreciating beauty from a distance, which perhaps mirrors the initial stages of their affection.

The chorus is a powerful and direct declaration of love and possession, with the repeated phrase "My girl, my girl, my girl / You will be my girl." This repetition serves as a heartfelt affirmation, a way of solidifying the relationship and proudly claiming their partner. The slight variation to "You will be my world" elevates this declaration, suggesting that this person has become the center of the narrator's universe. This emphatic and repeated claiming of 'my girl' also speaks to a sense of finally being able to own and celebrate a queer relationship without reservation.

The second verse reinforces the idea of their relationship as a sanctuary and a clear path forward. The line, "Don't bother looking down / We're not going that way," is a metaphor for leaving behind any past troubles or societal judgments. Their focus is solely on their shared future, a future the narrator is confident about, as expressed in the line, "At least I know, I am here to stay." This sentiment adds a layer of commitment and stability to the otherwise dreamy and fleeting moments described. The song's structure, with its cyclical return to the chorus and the imagery of October, reinforces the central theme: the enduring and cherished memory of falling in love during a particular season, a memory that continues to define the narrator's world and emotions.

"we fell in love in october" was written by Marie Ulven (girl in red) in 2015, when she was in her mid-teens. It was the first song she wrote about her first romance with a girl, shortly after a breakup with a boyfriend. Ulven herself wrote, produced, recorded, and mixed the track, showcasing her DIY approach to music creation, often associated with the 'bedroom pop' genre. The song was officially released as a standalone single on November 21, 2018, as a double single with the song "Forget Her". Interestingly, "Forget Her" deals with the pain of moving on after a breakup, suggesting the two songs might be connected to the same relationship's beginning and end. The song's creation was a personal milestone for Ulven, representing a moment of her openly declaring and celebrating her love for a girl. In 2022, she released a sequel to the song titled "October Passed Me By," which reflects on the end of the relationship celebrated in the original track.

The rhyme scheme in "we fell in love in october" is straightforward and contributes to its song-like, memorable quality. The verses often follow a simple AABB rhyme scheme (e.g., "roof"/"view", "fall"/"afar"). This makes the lyrics easy to follow and sing along to. The rhythm is generally relaxed and follows a steady, mid-tempo beat, which complements the dreamy and nostalgic mood of the song. The lyrical rhythm is conversational and flows naturally with the melody. The chorus's rhythm, with its repeated, evenly-spaced declaration of "My girl," is particularly effective, creating a strong and easily recognizable hook. The interplay between the gentle rhythm of the verses and the more emphatic rhythm of the chorus creates a dynamic emotional arc within the song.

The song's charm lies in its simple yet effective stylistic techniques, both musically and lyrically.

• Musical Style: The song is a prime example of the 'bedroom pop' and 'indie pop' genres, characterized by a lo-fi, DIY aesthetic. The instrumentation is relatively simple, with a prominent, melodic guitar line that is both catchy and easy to play, making it popular among aspiring guitarists. The chords, primarily CMaj7 and GMaj7, create a dreamy and pleasant harmonic landscape. Ulven's vocal delivery is soft and intimate, drawing the listener into the personal narrative of the song.
• Lyrical Style: The lyrics are direct, conversational, and sincere. The repetition of "My girl, my girl, my girl" in the chorus is a key literary device. This anaphora creates a chant-like, anthemic quality, making the declaration of love both memorable and powerful. The use of simple, concrete imagery like "Smoking cigarettes on the roof" grounds the romanticism in a relatable, everyday reality. The narrative voice is personal and vulnerable, which allows for a strong emotional connection with the listener.

"we fell in love in october" has had a significant cultural impact since its release. It became a breakout hit for girl in red, peaking at number 14 on the US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart in October 2019 and charting in several other countries. The song's popularity has contributed to Marie Ulven's reputation as a queer icon for Gen Z. The phrase "Do you listen to girl in red?" has become a subtle way for young queer women to ask each other if they are gay. The song experiences a surge in popularity every October on social media platforms like TikTok, where it's used to soundtrack videos and montages about relationships (both queer and straight), autumn aesthetics, and feelings of love and nostalgia. It has been embraced as an anthem within the LGBTQ+ community for its unapologetic and celebratory depiction of lesbian love. The song's success is a testament to the power of personal and authentic songwriting, and it remains girl in red's most-streamed track.

The song is rich with symbolism and metaphors that enhance its romantic and nostalgic atmosphere.

• October/Fall: The season of autumn is central to the song's identity. It symbolizes the warmth, coziness, and beauty of the budding relationship. The falling leaves can be seen as a metaphor for falling in love, a natural and beautiful process. The line "that's why I love fall" directly links the season to this cherished memory.
• The Rooftop: The setting of the rooftop acts as a private sanctuary for the lovers. It's a space elevated above the rest of the world, where they can be themselves without judgment. This physical elevation symbolizes the emotional high of being in love and the feeling of their relationship being a world of its own.
• Looking at the Stars: Stargazing is a classic romantic trope, but here it also symbolizes admiration and perhaps a sense of destiny. The lovers are "admiring from afar," which could represent the initial, almost shy stages of their affection. In the sequel song "October Passed Me By," this imagery is revisited with a poignant twist: "I was busy with the stars / you were looking at me," suggesting a disconnect that wasn't apparent at the time.
• "Don't bother looking down / We're not going that way": This is a powerful metaphor for leaving the past and any negativity behind. It signifies a commitment to move forward together, focusing only on the positive future of their relationship.

Several recurring phrases and motifs are central to the song's structure and meaning:

• "we fell in love in october": This phrase is the song's title and its central thesis. It appears in the verses and anchors the entire narrative to a specific time and feeling. Its repetition solidifies the importance of this memory.
• "My girl, my girl, my girl": This is the most prominent recurring phrase and the song's emotional core. Its repetition in the chorus functions as a powerful, proud declaration of love and identity. The variation to "My world" further emphasizes the depth of the narrator's feelings.
• "Smoking cigarettes on the roof": This image opens both verses, acting as a motif that immediately transports the listener to the couple's private sanctuary. It establishes the intimate and slightly rebellious tone of their relationship.
• "Looking at the stars": This motif of stargazing appears in the verses and symbolizes romantic wonder and admiration. It's a shared experience that highlights their connection.