Autumn in New York
Billie Holiday Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Autumn in New York, it spells the thrill of first-nighting
Glittering crowds and shimmering clouds in canyons of steel
They're making me feel I'm home
It's autumn in New York that brings the promise of new love
Autumn in New York is often mingled with pain
Dreamers with empty hands may sigh for exotic lands
It's good to live it again
Autumn in New York, the gleaming rooftops at sundown
Autumn in New York, it lifts you up when you're let down
Jaded roués and gay divorces who lunch at the Ritz
Will tell you that it's devine
It's autumn in New York transforms the slums into Mayfair
Autumn in New York, you'll need no castle in Spain
Lovers that bless the dark
On benches in Central Park
Greet autumn in New York
It's good to live it again
In these lyrics, Billie Holiday describes her bittersweet feelings about returning to New York after a holiday in the country. She acknowledges that she has mixed emotions about the city, both loving and hating it. She plans to stay in a Manhattan hotel and get rid of her rose-colored chattels, her idealistic view of the world. She prepares herself for new adventures and battles that await her in the city. She's staying on the 27th floor, looking down at the city. Billie then muses about why autumn in New York seems so inviting. She acknowledges the thrill of first-nighting or the excitement of experiencing something new.
The shimmering clouds and glittering crowds in the canyons of steel, which is a reference to the tall skyscrapers, make her feel at home. Autumn in New York also brings the promise of new love. Nevertheless, Billie acknowledges that autumn in New York is often mingled with pain. Dreamers with empty hands, people yearning for something more, may sigh for exotic lands. Despite this, Billie sees autumn in New York as a time of renewal, a good time to live again.
Overall, the lyrics evoke mixed emotions of love, excitement, and apprehension that come with living in New York City, capturing the essence of what many people feel when living in an urban place.
Line by Line Meaning
It's time to end my holiday and bid the country a hasty farewell.
I must leave my vacation and quickly say goodbye to the countryside.
So on this gray and melancholy day, I'll move to a Manhattan hotel.
On this dreary and sad day, I will relocate to a Manhattan hotel.
I'll dispose of my rose-colored chattels and prepare for my share of adventures and battles,
I will get rid of my romantic possessions and brace myself for the ups and downs of life.
Here on the twenty-seventh floor looking down on the city I hate and adore!
From the twenty-seventh floor, I gaze down at the city that both repels and attracts me.
Autumn in New York, why does it seem so inviting?
Why does autumn in New York appear so alluring?
Autumn in New York, it spells the thrill of first-nighting.
The autumn in New York signifies the excitement of a first-time experience.
Glittering crowds and shimmering clouds in canyons of steel, they're making me feel I'm home.
The sparkling masses of people and shining skyscrapers make me feel like I belong here.
It's autumn in New York that brings the promise of new love.
The autumn in New York symbolizes the possibility of finding new love.
Autumn in New York is often mingled with pain.
The autumn in New York can sometimes be mixed with sorrow.
Dreamers with empty hands may sigh for exotic lands,
Those with unfulfilled aspirations may long for far-off destinations.
It's autumn in New York,
The autumn has arrived in New York.
It's good to live again.
It feels great to be alive and experience the beauty of the autumn in New York.
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Vernon Duke
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@yetundef3096
Autumn in New York, why does it seem so inviting?
Autumn in New York, it spells the thrill of first-nighting.
Glittering crowds and shimmering clouds in canyons of steel;
they're making me feel: I'm home.
It's autumn in New York that brings the promise of new love.
Autumn in New York is often mingled with pain.
Dreamers with empty hands may sigh for exotic lands;
It's autumn in New York;
It's good to live it again.
Autumn in New York, the gleaming rooftops at sundown
Autumn in New York, it lifts you up when you're let down
jaded roués and gay divorces who lunch at the Ritz
will tell you that it's devine
It's autumn in New York transforms the slums into Mayfair
Autumn in New York, you'll need no castle in Spain
Lovers that bless the dark
On benches in Central Park
Greet autumn in New York,
It's good to live it again
@SongmanKK
Damn, can you hear the soul, melody, phrasing and simplicity in this song? It sure predated (and influenced) 70's soul by quite a number of years. Just imagine sitting in a coffee house, on a Saturday afternoon, with a nice, beautiful lady by your side, as you watch the autumn leaves fall and the crowds pass by.
@stephaniestoddard9716
My life dream.
@princeandrey
"Autumn in New York" was written by Vernon Duke, born Vladimir Dukelsky, in 1934. Indeed, no one has ever sung it more beautifully than Billie.
@imanim4844
Wow I didn't know it was that old, and I agree that this is the most beautiful version 🎶
@princeandrey
Yeah. It was old when I was a kid...and I'm old! One of those songs from my mother's day!
@princeandrey
@Imani M Most "jazz standards" are very old.
@early60srcool
My Favorite City (my hometown) my Favorite Singer!!! What’s better than that?!?? NOTHING!
@early60srcool
@Perry Weiner hahahahaha 😆😆
Me too Perry! Nothing more beautiful than Billie singing! Period!
@yetundef3096
Autumn in New York, why does it seem so inviting?
Autumn in New York, it spells the thrill of first-nighting.
Glittering crowds and shimmering clouds in canyons of steel;
they're making me feel: I'm home.
It's autumn in New York that brings the promise of new love.
Autumn in New York is often mingled with pain.
Dreamers with empty hands may sigh for exotic lands;
It's autumn in New York;
It's good to live it again.
Autumn in New York, the gleaming rooftops at sundown
Autumn in New York, it lifts you up when you're let down
jaded roués and gay divorces who lunch at the Ritz
will tell you that it's devine
It's autumn in New York transforms the slums into Mayfair
Autumn in New York, you'll need no castle in Spain
Lovers that bless the dark
On benches in Central Park
Greet autumn in New York,
It's good to live it again
@pedroluginick21
gracias 4 lyrics