Hi! Welcome to my new blog series Raimbault’s Got Rhythm in which I will be discussing different jazz songs, their histories (as available), and a selection of performances. This week, I will be talking about “Autumn Leaves.”
Like many of the pieces I will be discussing in this series, Autumn Leaves was introduced to me by my bass teacher. Through a bit of research, I learned that the lyrics to Autumn Leaves were actually based on a poem by Jacques Prévert. It took a surprising amount of digging, but I was able to find the words to the original poem. (Much thanks to David Issokson and the website “French Learner”!) They are translated from French to English and read as follows:
“Oh, I would you like so much for you to remember
The happy days when we were friends
During this time life was more beautiful
And the sun more burning than today
The dead leaves picked up by shovel
You see, I did not forget
The dead leaves picked up by shovel
The memories as well as the regrets
And the north wind blows them away
In the cold night of forgetting
You see, I didn’t forget
The song you used to sing to me
It is a song that looks like us
You loved me, and I loved you
We lived together
You who loved me, me who loved you
But life separates those who love each other
Very softly, without making noise
And the sea erases on the sand
The steps of separated lovers
But life separates those who love each other
Very softly, without making noise
And the sea erases on the sand
The steps of separated lovers”
Though this is not intended to be a lyrical analysis, I would like to quickly point out the emphasis on time and motion, something I will refer to a bit later. The “wind blows [memories] away,” the “sand erases” in the waves, and even the title’s use of the word “Autumn” suggests time.
The first version we will look at (or listen to) is on Cannonball Adderly’s album “Somethin’ Else”. The intro contains this four note scale continually clubs up and down. It gave the sensation of physically rolling, if that makes sense. When the melody begins- played by a muted trumpet-, it comes across as very gentle. (I used the term “apologetic” in my notes, though not in a negative sense!) This gentle tone is felt throughout the piece. When the trumpet begins a solo, the bass and percussion offer a very easy-going accompaniment that only picks up slightly when the saxophone solo begins; the percussion becomes more present and the bass adopts a steady walking bass line. The melody returns with a relaxed rhythm section after a second trumpet solo and a piano solo. As the piece closes, the four note scale returns, creating a cyclical piece and further emphasizing this idea of rolling. The piece concludes with a final note rather than fading out.
Next up is Chet Baker’s rendition. When compared to Cannonball Adderly’s, this version feels much quicker and almost urgent. The melody begins immediately with no introduction. While the rhythm section in the previous piece was much more subdued, this piece features a more present bass and percussion. Even when a solo is more relaxed, the rhythm section maintains this energy, simply matching the solo by lowering the dynamic. As for the conclusion of this piece, the music fades out as opposed to a strong ending.
These two versions are quite different in mood, which is exactly why I chose them. They serve to show us the two very different interpretations of “Autumn Leaves.” While one is more of a lament that reflects the emotion of Prévert’s original poem, the other prioritizes motion which I pointed out in the paragraph immediately following the lyrics.
Both versions are fantastic, but I do personally prefer Chet Baker’s version purely because of the emphasis on motion. The aspect of Prévert’s poem that stood out to me was the fact that the speaker was aware of time and how it would erase the love they have for their lover; Baker’s urgency emphasizes this. Time will continue at a steady pace and, one day, “Autumn Leaves’” speaker will no longer adore their lover as they currently do.
Thanks for reading, and I hope you have a good week! 
Lauren Raimbault – Assistant Prose Editor
Lauren Raimbault – Social Media Editor, Asst. Prose Editor & Blogger: Lauren is a Lewis University Senior studying English with a concentration in General Writing. She also mentors her peers at the university’s Writing Center. In addition to her academic pursuits, Lauren has played the violin since 2011 and currently serves as Concertmaster for the Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra. She also recently began learning bass guitar and plays in her university’s jazz band. When not writing or practicing, she enjoys reading thrillers and fantasy novels, crocheting, and playing video games.