The history of "Autumn Leaves" - 3 versions

There were two recordings of this by Roger Williams, and they can be confused.
The song originates in France, and was a 1950s vocal hit by the legendary Edith Piaf.
Williams had a US #1 hit with it in 1955. In 1965 for its tenth anniversary Williams made a new recording titled "Autumn Leaves - 1965", which relied on a vocal chorus as well as his piano. The single had the 1955 version on the flip side in addition. Well radio seemed to ignore the 1965 recording and commenced playing the 1955 hit all over again. Any radio people comment on this?
The original is the blockbuster, with a dramatic orchestral arrangement and his cascading piano lines. The 1965 version only reached #92 Billboard.

Selections:
1) Edith Piaf in French and English
2) Roger Williams 1965
3) Roger Williams 1955

I feel this song is hard to do real well vocally. I think a group harmony is the best bet. Do you know of a good one?
You may notice confusion with dates in the video images. The record label is correct.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• pop
• 1950s
• oldies
• Piaf
• piano

[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?

[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]

@GSilverWorld I don't know!

[A110rally]

Wrong-  it was written by a Hungarian Joseph Kozma.

[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!