At Capitol, May wrote arrangements for many top artists, including Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Stan Freberg, Peggy Lee, Sue Raney, Vic Damone, Jeri Southern, Keely Smith, Bobby Darin, Nancy Wilson, Matt Monro, Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney.
May's charts often featured brisk tempos and intricate brass parts. One distinctive feature of his style is his frequent use of trumpet mute devices; another, a saxophone glissando, is widely known as his "slurping saxes". However, May was also an accomplished writer in slower tempos, sometimes using string arrangements. Good examples of this aspect of his work include his brass chart for "These Foolish Things" on the Cole album Just One Of Those Things and his string arrangement of "April In Paris" on Sinatra's Come Fly With Me album.
Serenade
Billy May Lyrics
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Melodies the sweetest music ever played.
Autumn kisses we knew are beautiful souvenirs.
As I pause to recall the leaves seem to fall like tears.
Silver stars were clining to an autumn sky.
Love was ours until October wandered by.
Let the years come and go,
I'll still feel the glow that time can not fade
In Billy May's song, Autumn Serenade, the opening line "Through the trees comes autumn with her serenade," is almost like a personification of nature, as if Autumn is a living being. The metaphorical concept of Autumn "singing" her sweet melodies creates a sense of warmth and nostalgia. The next line, "Melodies the sweetest music ever played," emphasizes the beauty of Autumn's "voice," hinting at the emotional essence of the season.
The following two lines - "Autumn kisses we knew are beautiful souvenirs. As I pause to recall the leaves seem to fall like tears" - evoke a sense of bittersweet memory. Autumn kisses are depicted as souvenirs, as if they are cherished and missed, and the leaves falling like tears both reflect the idea of lost love and mark the passing of time. The next two lines, "Silver stars were clinging to an autumn sky. Love was ours until October wandered by," create a melancholy undertone, depicting the end of a love affair.
The final lines, "Let the years come and go, I'll still feel the glow that time can not fade. When I hear that lovely autumn serenade," acknowledge the power of memory and how even though time passes, memories can stay with us for a lifetime. The autumn serenade, then, is not only a reference to music, but also to the memories of love and past experiences that stay with one long after autumn.
Line by Line Meaning
Through the trees comes autumn with her serenade.
Autumn approaches us with her enchanting music.
Melodies the sweetest music ever played.
The music of autumn has the most beautiful and sweetest melodies.
Autumn kisses we knew are beautiful souvenirs.
Memories of the romantic moments during the autumn season remain precious to us.
As I pause to recall the leaves seem to fall like tears.
When I take a moment to reminisce, the falling leaves appear as tears shedding from my memories.
Silver stars were clining to an autumn sky.
During autumn nights, the stars in the sky sparkle like silver.
Love was ours until October wandered by.
Our love was as vibrant and colorful as autumn, but it ended as October came and went.
Let the years come and go,
No matter how much time passes
I'll still feel the glow that time can not fade
The fond memories will always shine brightly and not diminish with time.
When I hear that lovely autumn serenade.
As I listen to the autumn music again, my heart is filled with the same fondness as it did when we first heard it together.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SAMMY GALLOP, PETER DE ROSE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind