"Autumnsong" is a song by

Manic Street Preachers Manic Street Preachers, also known simply as the Manics, are a Wales, Welsh Rock music, rock band formed in Blackwood, Caerphilly, in 1986. The band consists of Nicky Wire (bass guitar, lyrics) and cousins James Dean Bradfield (lead vocals, le ...

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.

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 Owain ap Gruffydd (28 May 135420 September 1415), commonly known as Owain Glyndŵr (Glyn Dŵr, , anglicised as Owen Glendower) was a Welsh people, Welsh leader, soldier and military commander in the Wales in the late Middle Ages, late Middle ...

was crowned

Prince of Wales Prince of Wales (, ; ) is a title traditionally given to the male heir apparent to the History of the English monarchy, English, and later, the British throne. The title originated with the Welsh rulers of Kingdom of Gwynedd, Gwynedd who, from ...

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. His cousin Sean Moore is a ...

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 th ...

, 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, released on their debut studio album, '' Appetite for Destruction'' (1987). In the United States, the song was released in June 1988, topping the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100 cha ...

" riff.

Release

The song peaked at number 10 in the UK Singles Chart, 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

7" limited edition

#"Autumnsong" - 3:40 #"The Vorticists" - 3:18 (instrumental)

Digital download

#"Autumnsong" - 3:40 #" La Tristesse Durera (Scream to a Sigh)" - Live - 3:54 #"Autumnsong" (Acoustic version) - 3:43 #"Autumnsong" (Live) - 3:42 #"Autumnsong" (Video) - 3:38

Promo CD

#"Autumnsong" - 3:44 #"Autumnsong" (Instrumental) - 3:42

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)