Autumn Leaves

Les Feuilles Mortes… The sight of a colourful autumn scene in a forest reminds us of a popular French song written in the aftermath of WW2. “Les Feuilles Mortes” (Autumn Leaves in English) has this nostalgic touch attached to it and fits perfectly for the autumnal season when summer is long gone and the prospect of a cold winter is ahead. Les Feuilles Mortes (literally “The Dead Leaves”) is a popular French song originally recorded in 1945. It is known in English as “Autumn Leaves”. The song was composed by Joseph Kosma with lyrics by French poet Jacques Prévert. It was featured for the first time in the movie “Les Portes de la Nuit” (1946) starring Yves Montand. However, the song was first recorded by Cora Vaucaire before the release of the film. The English version of “Les Feuilles Mortes” was written by American songwriter Johnny Mercer in 1947 under the title “Autumn Leaves“. The song was introduced in America by Jo Stafford. On Christmas’ Eve 1950, Édith Piaf sang the French and the English version of the song on the radio programme The Big Show. It gives its name to a Hollywood movie in 1956 starring Joan Crawford. Nat King Cole sang “Autumn Leaves” in the title sequence of the film. Many other singers have released a version of the song either in French or in English: Richard Anthony, Andrea Bocelli, Eric Clapton, Dalida, Serge Gainsbourg, Juliette Gréco, Patricia Kaas, Tino Rossi, Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Susan Boyle, Cora Vaucaire, Andy Williams.