Autumn Leaves (Chris Brown song)

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"Autumn Leaves"
Song by Chris Brown featuring Kendrick Lamar
from the album X
ReleasedSeptember 16, 2014
Recorded2013
Genre
Length4:28
YouTube

"Autumn Leaves" is a song by American singer Chris Brown, featuring American rapper Kendrick Lamar, taken from his sixth studio album X (2014). It was written by Brown and Lamar, while its production was handled by B.A.M. and RoccStar. Musically, "Autumn Leaves" is a soul track that features alternative hip hop parts. The song contains lyrics about a lover’s departure and internal conflict, while Lamar's verse coaches Brown through his emotional challenges. "Autumn Leaves" received critical praise from music critics, which praised the artists' performances and its lyrical content. "Autumn Leaves" earned Gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Background

The track was revealed by Brown on March 26, 2013, during an interview for Rolling Stone. The singer told Rolling Stone that the evocative guitar spirals and passionate vocals driving “Autumn Leaves” turned it into “a real emo record”. Brown also spoke about Lamar's appearance on the track: “I picked Kendrick because his subject matter as a lyricist is beyond everybody else’s.”[1] Brown told Billboard in 2013 that the song was "a potential second single" from X, following its lead single "Fine China"; however the track ended up not being released as a single.[2]

Composition and lyrics

"Autumn Leaves" is a "quiet" soul ballad, that features an "aggressive, emotional" rap verse by Kendrick Lamar.[3][4] Its production was described as "guitar-driven" and "Asian-inspired".[5][6] The "reflective" lyrical content of the track features Brown comparing a lover’s departure with summer’s, in time for fall: “It seems that all the autumn leaves are falling/ I feel like you’re the only reason for it”, while Lamar raps on Brown’s behalf, mood-swinging from thoughtful to vicious: “And they won’t let me live/ Even when it’s remorse that I give/ When are they gon’ rejoice and forgive/ Tell me how [do] I stay positive?”.[5][7]

Reception

"Autumn Leaves" received critical acclaim from

Complex called the track "solemn", writing that "Brown examines a fleeting love with splendid gloominess".[8] The A.V. Club wrote that the song is an example of X "[giving] itself over to deeper emotions in its second half".[9] Miranda J. of XXL gave a positive review saying that "the chemistry between the two on the track is undeniable", calling Lamar's part "the best rap verse on the album".[4] Brad Wete of Billboard found "Autumn Leaves" to be part of Brown's vulnerable side of his discography.[5] Slant Magazine's Alexa Camp described its lyrical content as "soul-baring".[3]

Music video

The music video for the song was released on January 22, 2015, and was directed by

Buddha statues.[11] In the video Brown appears dressed as a samurai, crossing paths with his beloved, played by the singer's ex-girlfriend, Karrueche Tran.[12] Kendrick Lamar does not appear in the video.[13]

Charts

Chart (2014) Peak
position
UK R&B (Official Charts Company)[14]
 24
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[14]
 143
US
Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[15]
 10
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[16] 36

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[17] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ Diehl, Matt (March 26, 2013). "Chris Brown Previews New Album 'X': 'The Negativity Is in the Past'". Rolling Stone.
  2. ^ Mitchell, Gail (March 26, 2013). "Chris Brown Shares Sneak Peek Of New Album: First Single 'Fine China' Bows April 1". Billboard.
  3. ^ a b Camp, Alexa (September 13, 2014). "Review: Chris Brown, X". Slant Magazine.
  4. ^ a b "Chris Brown Delivers Standout Hits On 'X' - XXL". September 20, 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-09-20.
  5. ^ a b c Wete, Brad (September 15, 2014). "Chris Brown, 'X': Track-by-Track Review". Billboard.
  6. ^ "Chris Brown - X". 15 September 2014. Archived from the original on 2016-04-21.
  7. ^ Mitchell, Gail (March 27, 2013). "Chris Brown Q&A: On Inspiring The Youth & His Most Personal Album Yet". Billboard.
  8. ^ Arceneaux, Michael. "Chris Brown's "X" Is Bitter Progress". Complex.
  9. ^ "With X, Chris Brown gets over himself". The A.V. Club. September 23, 2014.
  10. ^ "Chris Brown Feat. Kendrick Lamar: Autumn Leaves (Music Video 2015) - IMDb" – via www.imdb.com.
  11. ^ Marcus, Ezra (2015-01-23). "Chris Brown Dons a Samurai Outfit in Kendrick-Less 'Autumn Leaves' Video: Watch". radio.com. Archived from the original on 2018-03-04.
  12. ^ Takeda, Allison (January 23, 2015). "Chris Brown's "Autumn Leaves" Music Video Stars Karrueche Tran: Watch".
  13. ^ "Chris Brown's Girlfriend Karrueche Tran Stars in His Autumn Leaves Music Video—See the Real-Life Lovers in Action!". E! Online. January 24, 2015.
  14. ^ a b https://www.zobbel.de/cluk/140927cluk.txt
  15. ^ "Chris Brown Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  16. ^ "Chris Brown Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
  17. ^ "American single certifications – CHRIS BROWN". Recording Industry Association of America.
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