Jeri Southern (real name: Genevieve Lillian Hering; August 5, 1926 - August… Read Full Bio ↴Jeri Southern (real name: Genevieve Lillian Hering; August 5, 1926 - August 4, 1991) was a jazz pianist and singer.

Born in Royal, Nebraska, Hering began playing piano at age three, and at age six started formal study in classical piano. She studied classical piano and voice at Sacred Heart in Omaha, Nebraska where she became interested in jazz.

After beginning her career at the Blackstone Hotel in Omaha she joined a United States Navy recruiting tour during World War II. In the late 1940s, she worked in Chicago clubs where she once was a supporting vocalist for Anita O'Day. She became known for what might be deemed torch songs.

She signed with Decca Records in 1951 and became known both for pop and jazz. The 1950s saw her at the height of her importance. In that decade she sang in a few films and in 1957 she had a top 30 hit with "Fire Down Below". After her switch to Capitol Records she had success doing interpretations of Cole Porter with Billy May arranging some of the more humorous examples.

In the 1960s she gave up music to teach and later moved to Hollywood to work on film composing with Hugo Friedhofer. She also wrote Interpreting Popular Music At The Keyboard during her final years. She died in Los Angeles of pneumonia in 1991.

Autumn in New York
Jeri Southern Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

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 of'en mingled with pain.
Dreamers with empty hands,
They sigh for exotic lands,
It's Autumn in New York,
It's good to live again.

This Autumn in New York
Transforms the slums into Mayfair.
Autumn in New York,
You need no castles in Spain.
Lovers that bless the dark
On benches in Central Park,

It's Autumn in New York,
It's good to live again.

Overall Meaning

Jeri Southern's song "Autumn in New York" is a classic that has captured the essence of crisp autumn days in the city. The first two lines reflect on the allure of the autumn season, with its golden light and crisp air, drawing people in. The phrase "thrill of first-nighting" captures the excitement of experiencing something new and unexplored - like the city in the autumn, which seems to have renewed energy and focus.

The lines "glittering crowds and shimmering clouds in canyons of steel" paint a picture of bustling New York City, with soaring skyscrapers and people milling around. The song then speaks to the feelings of home that the city can evoke in those who love it, despite its many challenges, such as the pain mingled with the promise of new love. The theme of longing for distant lands further emphasizes the romantic aspect of the city.

The final lines of "Autumn in New York" underscore the transformational power of the season, as even the slums are transformed into Mayfair - the saying that "all the world's a stage" takes on a whole new meaning in the autumn, when everything seems to be in flux. The line "you need no castles in Spain" speaks to a sense of contentment and belonging, and the idea that the simple pleasures of the city and its parks can bring happiness to those without grand aspirations. Overall, the song invites the listener to experience the wonder of autumn in the city, with all its beauty and complexity.

Line by Line Meaning

Autumn in New York,
The season of autumn in New York City.

Why does it seem so inviting?
What makes this season so appealing?

Autumn in New York,
The season of autumn in New York City.

It spells the thrill of first-nighting.
It represents the excitement of the first night of a new romance.

Glittering crowds
The glamorous and lively people.

And shimmering clouds
The bright and striking clouds.

In canyons of steel,
Among the towering skyscrapers.

They're making me feel
They evoke emotions within me.

I'm home.
That I belong here in New York City.

It's Autumn in New York
The season of autumn in New York City.

That brings the promise of new love,
Which offers hope for a new romantic relationship.