AUTUMN LEAVES

Nat King Cole sings "Autumn Leaves." This classic was originally a French song called "Les feuilles mortes" (literally "Dead Leaves"), with music by Joseph Kosma and lyrics by poet Jacques Prévert, but we're more familiar with the English lyrics written by American songwriter Johnny Mercer in 1947. "Autumn Leaves" has become a standard in pop and jazz music and has been recorded all over the world. I know it still feels like summertime (we expect 91 degrees today!) but soon summer will fade and the leaves will change, the days will grow shorter and there will be a nip in the air, and you will be humming this unforgettable tune while raking les feuilles mortes.

"Les feuilles mortes," introduced by Yves Montand in the film Les Portes de la Nuit (1946).