Nat King Cole - September Song (Capitol Records 1961)

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"September Song" is an American pop standard composed by Kurt Weill, with lyric by Maxwell Anderson, introduced by Walter Huston in the 1938 Broadway musical Knickerbocker Holiday. It has since been recorded by numerous singers and instrumentalists. It was also used in the 1950 film September Affair, and for the credits in the television series May to December (a quote from the opening line of the song).

"September Song" is based on a familiar poetic metaphor that compares a year to a person's life span from birth to death. The song is an older person's plea to a younger potential lover that the courting activities of younger suitors and the objects of their desire are transient and time-wasting. As an older suitor, the speaker hasn't "got time for the waiting game." The song consists of a chorus, the section that starts, "Oh, It's a long, long time . . ." and two different verses, one describing the courting activities of a young man and one describing the disdainful reaction of the girl and the suitor's patience until she changes her mind. Singers may omit both verses, as Frank Sinatra did in his 1946 version, sing one verse, as Huston did in his, or both, as Sinatra did in his 1965 recording.

There are major differences between the version of the song recorded in 1938 by Walter Huston and the versions heard today. Huston's version is tailored specifically to the character he's playing, Peter Stuyvesant. For example, Huston sings, "I have lost one tooth and I walk a little lame," referring to his peg leg. And later he says, "I have a little money and I have a little fame," an unusual courting comment. Both of these lines, and several others, have disappeared from the song.

Other changes involve the point of view of the singer — in Huston's version, the activities of the young man are described in the second person to the girl ("When you meet with a young man . . ."). Contemporary versions make the singer the young man ("When I was a young man . . .). One subtle difference between Huston's version and other versions is the final line. Huston sings, "These precious days I'd spend with you." Modern singers sing, "These precious days I'll spend with you." The difference is between a proposal offered but not yet accepted, I would spend with you if you accept, and one accepted, I will spend it with you.

Nathaniel Adams Coles (March 17, 1919 -- February 15, 1965), known professionally as Nat King Cole, was an American singer and musician who first came to prominence as a leading jazz pianist. He was widely noted for his soft, baritone voice, which he used to perform in big band and jazz genres. Cole was one of the first African Americans to host a television variety show, The Nat King Cole Show, and has maintained worldwide popularity since his death from lung cancer in February 1965.

Oh, it's a long, long while
From May to December
But the days grow short
When you reach September
When the autumn weather
Turns the leaves to flame
One hasn't got time
For the waiting game

Oh, the days dwindle down
To a precious few
September, November
And these few precious days
I'll spend with you
These precious days
I'll spend with you

RoundMidnightTV

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2024 and still a beautiful song … ❤
TomTheCoach

tomwashingtonjr

Never again will we ever enjoy such a gift....

darthgrundle

I remember listening to Nat when i was a little kid, i play him now, what a supreme voice he's got . And it reminds me of those days

jamesavery

My Dad loved this song. When he passed we had it played (Nat King Cole's version) at his wake the morning of his funeral at the F.H. it was so poignant and sad but beautiful.

nancygannon

I don't cry for more time, I cry for those that will never hear this as it's ment.

joepeach

Absolutely beautifully recorded. Sublime.

robertw

great singer, great pianist . lovely accompaniment and arrangement. Thank you.

janeburrows

He visited our Home during his Artistic tenure in Havana…chain smoker. Always liked his voice.

AliPlusandFabulous

ME. Born 1951 and mum had the radio on since the day I was born - thanks Mum. We don't get music or voices like this anymore. Harry Nilsson had a go at old songs in about 1970, but not as smooth.

janebrown

Gracias por la selección de esta musica.

cesareofernandezrodriguez

Mi abuelo era de clase baja. Se había enamorado de una chica pudiente a la edad de 17 años. Ella, jóvenes y bella, también se había enamorado de él. Pero los padres de la joven no le permitieron volverse a ver con mi abuelo debido a su condición social. Ella iba a la escuela por la mañana y mi abuelo por la tarde... ella, ansiosa, sabiendo que su amor sólo podría ser platónico, esperaba la llegada de mi abuelo por su vereda camino a la escuela. Atenta y sigilosa, cuando lo veía pasar, corría al piano para que él escuche tierna pero dolorosamente este tema "canción de septiembre " que supongo se la habrá dedicado porque mi abuelo nació en el mes de Septiembre. Era un amor prohibido que lloraba en esta melodía. Mi abuelo ya con más de 80 años aún encuentra en esta letra la nostalgia y la duda de aquel amor que no pudo ser. Mi abuelo no habla inglés y la conocía a la melodía como canción de septiembre. Pasó años buscando la canción sin éxito. Yo, su nieta, sé inglés y se la pude buscar. Le pude regalar escuchar este tema ya de viejo, tras años de buscar esta canción para revivir aquel amor en su corazón. Me llevó a las lágrimas cómo el Amor viaja en el tiempo y sobretodo aquellos de nuestra juventud. Esta canción significa mucho, me dijo que era su canción favorita. Y ahora sé porqué. Gracias.

candelariadepaulamarelli

Thank you for including the outstanding notes with the history of this terrific classic! I enjoy learning how and where songs come about and how they've evolved.

voodooacrobat