"Autumnsong" is a song by
Manic Street Preachers
Manic Street Preachers, also known simply as the Manics, are a Welsh rock band formed in Blackwood in 1986. The band consists of cousins James Dean Bradfield (lead vocals, lead guitar) and Sean Moore (drums, percussion, soundscapes), plus ...
and was the third single taken from the album ''
Send Away the Tigers''. It was released on 23 July 2007. It peaked and debuted at number #10 in the
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...
.
Background
As with all ''Send Away the Tigers''-related promotional material, the cover image is taken from the photography book ''Monika Monster Future First Woman On Mars'' by Valerie Philips.
The song "1404" recalls a 'lost chapter' in
Welsh history, when
Owain Glyndŵr was crowned
Prince of Wales
Prince of Wales ( cy, Tywysog Cymru, ; la, Princeps Cambriae/Walliae) is a title traditionally given to the heir apparent to the English and later British throne. Prior to the conquest by Edward I in the 13th century, it was used by the rulers ...
in that year having successfully revolted against the English. He was, however, the last native Welsh person to hold the title Prince of Wales.
James Dean Bradfield
James Dean Bradfield (born 21 February 1969) is a Welsh singer-songwriter, musician and record producer. He is known for being the lead vocalist and guitarist for the Welsh alternative rock band Manic Street Preachers.
Biography Early life
B ...
has mentioned in concert that the song's intro riff is, in part, a tribute to one of his guitar influences,
Slash
Slash may refer to:
* Slash (punctuation), the "/" character
Arts and entertainment Fictional characters
* Slash (Marvel Comics)
* Slash (''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'')
Music
* Harry Slash & The Slashtones, an American rock band
* Nash ...
, and bears a passing resemblance to the iconic "
Sweet Child O' Mine
"Sweet Child o' Mine" is a song by American rock band Guns N' Roses. It appears on their debut album, ''Appetite for Destruction''. In the United States, the song was released in June 1988 as the album's third single, topping the ''Billboard'' ...
" riff.
Release
The song peaked at number 10 in the
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...
, charting for 3 weeks in the top 75.
Two videos were filmed for the song. The version used for promotion on television, commissioned by the record label, features teenagers in various everyday group situations with lyrics from the song occasionally flashing on the screen. The alternative version, commissioned by the band themselves after being disappointed with the label's version and directed by Valerie Philips, is a single, one-camera shot of the girls featured on the ''Send Away the Tigers'' cover art miming to the song.
The models are a Polish-American college student called Monika Monster and her cousin Kate.
Track listing
2 Track CD single
#"Autumnsong" - 3:40
#"
Red Sleeping Beauty" (
McCarthy cover) - 3:14
Maxi CD single
#"Autumnsong" - 3:40
#"The Long Goodbye" - 2.46 (featuring lead vocals by Nicky Wire)
#"Morning Comrades" - 3:12
#"1404" - 2.27
Promo CD
#"Autumnsong" - 3:44
#"Autumnsong" (Instrumental) - 3:42
7" limited edition
#"Autumnsong" - 3:40
#"The Vorticists" - 3:18 (instrumental)
Digital download
#"Autumnsong" - 3:40
#"
La Tristesse Durera (Scream to a Sigh)
"La Tristesse Durera (Scream to a Sigh)" is a song by Welsh rock band Manic Street Preachers. It was released in July 1993 by record label Columbia as the second single from their second studio album ''Gold Against the Soul''. It reached number ...
" - Live - 3:54
#"Autumnsong" (Acoustic version) - 3:43
#"Autumnsong" (Live) - 3:42
#"Autumnsong" (Video) - 3:38
Charts
References
{{authority control
2007 singles
2007 songs
Columbia Records singles
Manic Street Preachers songs
Song recordings produced by Dave Eringa
Songs written by James Dean Bradfield
Songs written by Nicky Wire
Songs written by Sean Moore (musician)