Autumn Leaves

[JUSTADKFAN]

Rémi:

You never stop surprising me. You’re always one step ahead. I took a look at the FAQ section and found a response that I was looking for for several weeks. It’s related to a version of the “Autumn Leaves” song that is attributed to DK. When I heard that version I immediately knew that it was not Diana’s. However, I really liked that version and wanted to know who was the real singer. I though that Tierney Sutton could be the singer, but Paula Cole seems to be the one. Thank you.

I really loved the song not only because of Paula’s interpretation, but also because of the acoustic guitar arrangement. I think this is a great piece, do you know any other good version of this French song that you could recommend?


Regards


Armando

[Rémi]

Hi Armando,

The question regarding the Autum Leaves song is maybe one of the most recurrent questions I have been asked. Besides, I remember a member of this board asked it some times ago, that's why I decided to add it in the FAQ page in order that everyone finally knows who sings that song and doesn't ask it anymore.

The french version of "Autumn Leaves" is "Les Feuilles Mortes" and is sung by Yves Montand. And I LOOOOOVE it , it's one of my preferred french songs.

If you want, I'll put a link to that song.

[JUSTADKFAN]

Hi Armando,

The question regarding the Autum Leaves song is maybe one of the most recurrent questions I have been asked. Besides, I remember a member of this board asked it some times ago, that's why I decided to add it in the FAQ page in order that everyone finally knows who sings that song and doesn't ask it anymore.

The french version of "Autumn Leaves" is "Les Feuilles Mortes" and is sung by Yves Montand. And I LOOOOOVE it , it's one of my preferred french songs.

If you want, I'll put a link to that song.

Remi:

I'm so sorry for taking too long to respond to your offer. Thank you for the reconmmendation. I found Mr. Montand version of " Les Feuilles Mortes" and you're right, it's a wonderful interpretation. Although I don't understand French, I think the song sounds more emmotional on its original lenguage. My first lenguage is Spanish and may be that's why I prefer the French version of "Las hojas muertas".

Regards

Armando

[Rémi]

Although I don't understand French, I think the song sounds more emmotional on its original lenguage.

Here is the french version and the english version litterally translated. Of course, it doesn't mean anything in english, but it gives you an idea of what is sung in french.

LES FEUILLES MORTES
Jacques Prévert - Joseph Kosma

Oh! je voudrais tant que tu te souviennes
Des jours heureux où nous étions amis
En ce temps-là la vie était plus belle
Et le soleil plus brilant qu'aujourd'hui
Les feuilles mortes se ramassent à la pelle
Tu vois je n'ai pas oublié

Les feuilles mortes se ramassent à la pelle
Les souvenirs et les regrets aussi
Et le vent du nord les emporte
Dans la nuit froide de l'oubli
Tu vois je n'ai pas oublié
La chanson que tu me chantais

C'est une chanson qui nous ressemble
Toi tu m'aimais et je t'aimais
Et nous vivions tous deux ensemble
Toi qui m'aimais moi qui t'aimais
Mais la vie sépare ceux qui s'aiment
Tout doucement sans faire de bruit
Et la mer efface sur le sable
Les pas des amants désunis

Les feuilles mortes se ramassent à la pelle
Les souvenirs et les regrets aussi
Mais mon amour silencieux et fidèle
Sourit toujours et remercie la vie
Je t'aimais tant tu étais si jolie
Comment veux-tu que je t'oublie
En ce temps-là la vie était plus belle
Et le soleil plus brilant qu'aujourd'hui
Tu étais ma plus douce amie
Mais je n'ai que faire des regrets
Et la chanson que tu chantais
Toujours toujours je l'entendrai


Oh! I would like so much that you remember
Those happy days when we were friends
In those days, life was more beautiful
And the sun shinier than today
The dead leaves are shoveled up
You see, I haven't forgotten...
The song you were singing to me

This is a song that looks like us
You were loving me and I was loving you
And we were living both together
You who were loving me, me who were loving you
But life parts those who love
Quite slowly, noiselessly
And the sea erases on the sand
The steps of divided lovers

Dead leaves are shoveled up
Memories and regrets too
But my silent and faithful love
Always smiles and thanks the life
I loved you so much, you were so beautiful
How do you want that I forget you?

In those days, life was more beautiful
And the sun shinier than today
You were my sweetest friend
But I don't have to deal with regrets
And the song which you were singing
Always, I will always hear it!

[JUSTADKFAN]

quote]
Here is the french version and the english version litterally translated.
Always, I will always hear it![/quote]

Remi:

Thank you for the french version and translation of this beautiful song. I will follow the text with the song so I can learn a bit of french. Many words are similar to spanish, the problem is the pronunciation. French is quite difficult to speak.


I really like french music, specially traditional music. I remember in the early 80's when I was a college student, I used to listen a cassette containig a dozen of traditional songs, including "Les feuilles mortes", "La vie en rose", "Sous le ciel de Paris", "The poor people of Paris", etc. It was a kind of quartet playing accordeon, acoustic guitar, bass and percussion and a male singer. Unfortunately the cassette was not mine and it was not identified, so I never knew who was the artist. Anyway, the thing is that I'm looking for a CD with traditional music from your country that includes the songs I mentioned above, so if you (or any one else) can give a recomendation to buy, I will really appreaciate it.

Again thanks

Armando

[Coda]

...speaking of Autumn Leaves, the autumn leaves in our area are just gorgeous right now. A view down the street shows dark red, orange, yellow, brown and green, with some trees just frosted with color at the edges! It looked like a postcard behind a blue sky yesterday. (Today the sky is gray.)

[Rick]

"Autumn Leaves" played with an acoustic guitar sounds like my favorite version, that by the late Eva Cassidy. She is the one who did the stunning version of Sting's "Fields of Gold" which Michele Kwan uses in one of her skating programs. Her rendition of "Over the Rainbow" is simply unmatched and leaves all the others I know of in the dust!

[Rick]

There must be more than one song entitled "Autumn Leaves" since the song I am referring to was written by Johnny Mercer. Perhaps it is an "Americanized" version of a French song.

[mark in saskatchewan]

i agree rick....i know the mercer one too....and yes eva cassidy does a fantastic version!

[Rémi]

Actually, the real "Autumn Leaves/Les Feuilles Mortes" we all know has been written by Jacques Prévert and Joseph Kosma in 1946.
Johnny Mercer has only adapted the lyrics for the english version.

[verabgd]

As far as I know "Les Feuilles Mortes" written by Jacques Prévert and Joseph Kosma was frequently on the late Edith Piaf repertoire.

If you are interested in listening to this original version I can highly recommend Ute Lemper's interpretation. Ute Lemper is a great contemporary interpreter of Piaf songs.

As for US version - "Autumn Leaves" by Johnny Mercer I like very much the late Eva Cassidy's rendition as well as Nat King Cole's.

[Coda]

Rick: I second your opinion of Eva Cassidy and her take on "Over the Rainbow." I also thought her version of "Autumn Leaves" was superb. I realize I have a penchant for buying records when someone has recorded "Over the Rainbow," including Jane Monheit, Melissa Manchester, and, of course, Judy Garland. Getting back to "Autumn Leaves," I also like Paula Cole's version on the album for "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil." (I know someone else has mentioned that, too.) I also have a Johnny Mercer compilation album that includes Gordon McRae singing "Autumn Leaves," if you like the male voice version of it.

[scielle]

If you are interested in listening to this original version I can highly recommend Ute Lemper's interpretation. Ute Lemper is a great contemporary interpreter of Piaf songs.

Nobody sings All That Jazz like Ute Lemper. Her Punishing Kiss album is definitely in my all-time top ten. Brilliant performances of songs by EC, Tom Waits, Philip Glass, Kurt Weil...
Here are some clips:

The Case Continues (Neil Hannon/ Joby Talbot)

Passionate Fight (Steve Nieve/ Elvis Costello)

Streets of Berlin (Philp Glass/ Martin Sherman)

Punishing Kiss (Elvis Costello/ Cait O'Riordan)

Tango Ballad (Kurt Weil/ Bertold Brecht)

Purple Avenue (Tom Waits)