Last Leaves of Autumn

Album: Sugaring Season (2012)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The Sugaring Season album title is a reference to the time of year when maple trees are tapped for syrup. Beth Orton came across the phrase whilst spending time in her husband's home state of Vermont. She explained to The Observer that she used it as a metaphor for extracting sweetness out of situations. "It takes a lot of sap to make a little bit of syrup," said Orton. "But what makes the flow are these long, cold nights alternating with those ever so slightly warmer days – beauty and melancholy mixed together – and after that, that's when the sweetness comes."
  • All the songs on Sugaring Season, including this one are based in nature. Orton told Jam! Music: "I do spend a lot of my spare time in nature, and I did spend a lot of time in Vermont. But also, a lot of it was written dead in the centre of the London. The song 'Last Leaves of Autumn 'was written at the top of Pentonville Road, which leads into King's Cross. It's a very urban area. But I always had a great longing for nature, even in the city. I love trees.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Jon Anderson of Yes

Jon Anderson of YesSongwriter Interviews

From the lake in "Roundabout" to Sister Bluebird in "Starship Trooper," Jon Anderson talks about how nature and spirituality play into his lyrics for Yes.

David Sancious

David SanciousSongwriter Interviews

Keyboard great David Sancious talks about his work with Sting, Seal, Springsteen, Clapton and Aretha, and explains what quantum physics has to do with making music.

Billy Joe Shaver

Billy Joe ShaverSongwriter Interviews

The outlaw country icon talks about the spiritual element of his songwriting and his Bob Dylan mention.

Shaun Morgan of Seether

Shaun Morgan of SeetherSongwriter Interviews

Shaun breaks down the Seether songs, including the one about his brother, the one about Ozzy, and the one that may or may not be about his ex-girlfriend Amy Lee.

Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues

Justin Hayward of The Moody BluesSongwriter Interviews

Justin wrote the classic "Nights In White Satin," but his fondest musical memories are from a different decade.

Michael Glabicki of Rusted Root

Michael Glabicki of Rusted RootSongwriter Interviews

Michael tells the story of "Send Me On My Way," and explains why some of the words in the song don't have a literal meaning.