The Song "Autumn Leaves"
A classic, timeless song! Autumn Leaves was written in 1945 in French, "Les feuilles mortes" ("The Dead Leaves") with music by Joseph Kosma and lyrics by poet Jacques Prevert. Yves Montand introduced "Les feuilles mortes" in 1946 for the film Les Portes de la Nuit. American songwriter Johnny Mercer wrote English lyrics in 1947.
It is amazing how the simplest of words and music can have such an impact. The metaphor of falling leaves symbolizing a lost relationship is so brilliant. The song became both a pop and jazz standard, recorded hundreds of times. Listen to a few of the great recordings of this wonderful song.
The Lyrics
The falling leaves drift by my window
The falling leaves of red and gold
I see your lips, the summer kisses
The sunburned hands I used to hold
Since you went away the days grow long
And soon I'll hear old winter's song
But I miss you most of all, my darling
When autumn leaves start to fall
Since you went away the days grow long
And soon I'll hear old winter's song
But I miss you most of all, my darling
When autumn leaves start to fall
I miss you most of all, my darling
When autumn leaves start to fall
Eva Cassidy sings Autumn Leaves
Live at Blues Alley
Eva Cassidy
Live at Blues Alley
Live at Blues Alley
Amazon Price: $13.99 (as of 12/06/2009)
List Price: $16.98
Eva Cassidy works magic with every song!
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Did You Know?
Autumn Leaves is also a Columbia Pictures film from 1956 starring Joan Crawford and Cliff Robertson. This is the story of an older woman and younger man that involves mental illness. Apparently, the title was changed to Autumn Leaves to capitalize on the success of the song with the same name. Nat King Cole's version was used in the movie.
French Lyrics
" Les Feuilles Mortes "
Visit this site for the French lyrics and the English Translation. There is also a little history of the movie "Les Portes de la Nuit" for which it was written.
Learn More About This Song
- Second Hand Songs
- For a list of everyone who covered this song.
- Piano Music Products Featuring the song "Autumn Leaves"
- From Encore Music
- Wikipedia Entry
- For general information
- Jazz Standards
- Learn about the jazz history of the song.
Cannonball Adderley & Miles Davis
Instrumental Jazz Version
Somethin' Else
Cannonball Adderley
Somethin' Else
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 12/06/2009)
List Price: $8.94
Inspired many young jazz musicians.
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Buy an MP3 of Autumn Leaves
Poll
What are they saying on Twitter?
About the song "Autumn Leaves"
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- alexpage13th
- just had a little two-song gig here in Cardigos - "Autumn Leaves" (with piano) & "Fado de cada um" (a-cappella). So happy about it :)
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- FallOutCookGirl
- @ACookOfficial Autumn Leaves is my favorite Paolo Nutini song!!! & I really hope you'll be at NYE!! =)
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- johnnyturner
- Sarah Vaughan and Wynton Marsalis performing September Song and Autumn Leaves with the Boston Pops - perfect.
Senior Squids Write About Autumn
See all of the SeniorSquids pages on Autumn at Carol's lens Season of Mellow Fruitfulness
Thank You For Visiting My Lens
I'd love to hear your comments.
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Reply
- poutine poutine Sep 30, 2009 @ 12:34 pm
- I must add that this song brings back tons of memories .
Poutine
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Reply
- poutine poutine Sep 30, 2009 @ 12:33 pm
- Beautifully done lens.
I love autumn leaves and the song.
I also prefer the french version.
Poutine
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Reply
- ronpass ronpass Sep 23, 2009 @ 5:29 am
- Thanks for providing the background to the song Autumn Leaves - I have added it to my featured lenses module in a new lens I'm building on Eva Cassidy.
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Reply
- AppalachianCountry AppalachianCountry Sep 18, 2009 @ 12:53 pm
- Beautiful lens. We enjoyed all the videos. Thank-you for french video. 5 stars*****
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Reply
- mbgphoto mbgphoto Sep 17, 2009 @ 3:34 pm
- Very interesting information on Autumn Leaves. Lensrolled to my Autumn Beauty Lens.
- Load More
About the Author
Lensmaster kimmanleyort has been a member since April 7 2009, has rated 1,086 lenses, favorited 596, and has created 72 lenses from scratch. Kim Ort donates their royalties to Squidoo Charity Fund. This member's top-ranked page is "Our Favorite Nuts and Bolts Recipe". See all my lenses
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