The history of "Autumn Leaves" - 3 versions

[egpetridis]

Music is by Joseph Kozma, original lyrics by Jacques Prévert. Original title was "Les feuilles mortes".

The earlier recording of it I have in my library, is by Yves Montand, in 1948-49. Simply sublime!

Another notable french recording, besides Edith Piaf's "american" version, is the one by Juliette Gréco.

[Linsgroove]

I appreciate both Barbra Streisand & Natalie Cole's versions. I like Piaf's live Christmas version better(more heartfelt, I think). That cry in her voice came from genuine pain. No, the group harmony is too stylized and devoid of feeling. This is a song of heartbreak. The Paul Williams version is like a sing-along with Mitch Miller. His playing is very fine. Why didn't he just record without the vocals?

[Michaelbos]

Maybe the dis jockeys figured, why screw with perfection of the 1955 Hit, the best selling panio recording to this date.

[kirstykelley]

hmmmm, in French class today the teacher played Edith Piaf singing Autumn Leaves, I thought he said it was written by a man named Jaques Prevert, a famous french writer...

[GSilverWorld]

@kirstykelley Who the hell marked this as spam?

[kirstykelley]

@GSilverWorld I don't know!

[velociraptor65BC]

More then amazing her voice is so beutifull I feel her pain and joy and sadness in her voice . she has to have been one of the few and best real singers with a golden voice .. Where ever she is? I pray she is at peace and found the happiness she lost in 1949 when the love of her life died in an air crash on his way to meet her, Oh so long ago.. she lost her heart that day.. I hope they are back together now..........@>----

[romerofosho]

Barbra has a great version too!

[OTASIMOT]

Thank you very much for making this MV of my favorite version of Autumn Leaves by Roger Williams on my birthday! YOU have given me the BEST birthday gift! Again, Mahalo Nui Loa!

[dia33386]

G SilverWorld:  Thanks for this extraordinary & fairly hard to find version of "Autumn Leaves" by the unequalled Edith Piaf! Of course, she never originated it. This amazing chanteuse made the supreme effort to learn this song in english to perform for the American audience while performing here in the mid to late 50's - simply to please the american public! As rare as this version is - it is a tribute to Môme Piaf's ever desire to give all her audiences her best for them!

[paulostroff99]

The best French version by the greatest French female singer ever.Brava! TY.

[posaico]

¿What kind of version is this of edith piaf? is in English and French I suppose that is not the first one but one that came after it was a hit in english. But its a great rendition also. Roger williams's 1965 is entirely different to the 1955, so its very fine that you comment the difference and a pitty that the radio dont mention this two different recordings

[GeoSilverAway]

I don't know, it was before my time, I assume it was Piaf's release to the English world. I assume she originated it. It was from an Lp released here, mostly in French.

I'm speaking from general memory about what Williams radio played, not total expertise. The choral version is indeed fairly definitive for that style. Could the Lettermen have done better?

[posaico]

No, the chorus of roger williams are extraordinary, it reminds me the chorus roger used on their excelent rendition of the "world outside" that along with the four coins and the four aces made the hit parade in 1958

[paulostroff99]

posaico-No,this is originally a 40's French song from I believe 1945 titled "the dead leaves" In 1949 they made an English version and named it Autumn Leaves.There are many French and Italian songs as well as Chopin piano pieces,and Italian arias made into English versions. Enjoy their (French)freedom fries as well-that happen to be Belgian. We live in a very multicultural world!!!!

[dia33386]

posaico: This is a rare & true example of Edith Piaf's great determination to always please her audience - here for the americans during her 50's tour in the states. She practiced 24-7 to the consternation of her musicians & backup

to master the english language to give the audience what they wanted - since her 1st appearence in the states seemed to leave the US audience not understanding her amazing talent. Another example of her untiring desire to please her audience!