Standard Jazz Session Song No. 118: I'll Remember April
A standard jazz session song. The title contains "April," but what is the song actually about?
(Lyrics are posted at the bottom.)
Since Japanese translations are available on various websites, I will only explain the key points here.
Point 1: "Memories of April"
Many Japanese titles for jazz standards were assigned by people in an era when many did not fully understand English, so there are many mistranslations or titles that fail to convey the nuance of the original.
Here, too, because it says "I'll," I think it is closer to the emotion of "recalling (repeatedly)" rather than "remembering = keeping in memory." What triggers this recollection?
This lovely day will lengthen into evening
We'll sigh goodbye to all we've ever had
Alone where we have walked together
I'll remember April and be glad
The lovely day fades into evening
We say goodbye to everything we once had
I am now alone on the path where we once walked together
I recall that April and feel happy
It seems the protagonist has broken up with someone important and is now alone. Chewing on the past. It may be lingering, but with those memories, they can go on for a while.
I'll be content you loved me once in April
Your lips were warm and love and Spring were new
The reason it is "April" is because there was a very wonderful romance.
I'm not afraid of Autumn and her sorrow
For I'll remember April and you
It seems the person singing this song isat the beginning of autumn, not spring. Autumn is a season that tends to be sentimental, but if you recall the happy feelings of April, you can get through it. At this point, it seems the two have already broken up. I wonder what happened in the summer.
The fire will dwindle into glowing ashes
For flames and love live such a little while
I won't forget but I won't be lonely
I'll remember April and I'll smile
The fire of love seems to have flared up and burned out in an instant. A passionate but short-lived relationship.At this point, the love has ended and is deeply etched in the protagonist's heart.
*The lyrics use simple words and leave room for imagination, so my interpretation might be wrong. Only the emotional movements of the protagonist are depicted, and the state of the other person is hardly described.
Point 2: Seasonal songs
There are many songs with the names of seasons or months in the title, but if you read the lyrics carefully, they do not necessarily sing directly about that season or month. When planning a setlist for a live performance, it is common to choosesongs that fit the season, but it might be better to do a little research.
Like this song, it is possible that it is a heartbreak song where "it is not April now, but I am recalling events from April."
However, even though it is a heartbreak, it is not just lamenting; it is looking back on the other person and the relationship between the two with a somewhat warm feeling. That is why there isa complex emotion that is neither just sad nor just happy.
Performing or singing this song with a "bouncy spring feeling" might be fundamentally a bit off. (Though it might be okay to intentionally perform or sing it brightly after understanding the complex emotions in the background...)
Point 3: Sarah Vaughan
Here, the song is treated as mere "material", performed at a fast tempo with free-spirited scat singing. There is no deep interpretation of the lyrics, but that is the fun part of jazz (vocals)—that this kind of approach is also acceptable.
Point 4: Vocabulary and Pronunciation
Overall, it is written in simple language, but here are a few key points.
This lovely day will lengthen into evening
"Lengthen" is "length + en," so the meaning is easy to understand, but pay attention to the pronunciation. In "léŋkθn," the "k" and "th" sounds follow each other.
In "lovely," make sure to properly pronounce the "L" sound that appears twice. It is surprisingly difficult.
We'll sigh goodbye to all we've ever had
It is lovely that they changed "say" to "sigh" where one would normally say "We'll say goodbye." You can tell that they really don't want to say goodbye.
Alone where we have walked together
The "w" sounds appear consecutively here in a way that is almost mean, so do your best.
The fire will dwindle into glowing ashes
"Dwindle" is an unfamiliar word, but it means something gradually decreasing or becoming smaller.
The word "glowing" depicts the state of the ashes emitting their final light.
For flames and love live such a little while
The "L" sounds appear consecutively here as well, in a way that is almost mean.
I'll remember April and I'll smile
Here too.
Point 5: Vocal Variations
Julie London
With an arrangement that switches back and forth between Latin and swing, Julie London sings with such allure—as expected of her.
June Christy
June Christy sings with plenty of emotion at a slower tempo. It really captures that feeling of being unable to let go and still being full of lingering attachment.
Dinah Washington
This version also leaves a strong impression. A powerful vocal performance.
Frank Sinatra
As expected, he is someone who is skilled at singing as if telling a story.
Point 6: Variations in Instrumental Performance
There are many versions where the characteristic melody is treated merely as raw material and played at a fast tempo. Some performers are convinced that this song is meant to be played in that style, so when a vocalist joins in, communication is necessary.
The Modern Jazz Quartet
Bill Evans, Eddie Gomez, Jack DeJohnette
Clifford Brown, Max Roach
Eric Dolphy
Emmet Cohen, Erena Terakubo, Yotam Silberstein
This is a mellow performance.
Point 7: Song Commentary
Seiji Tada provides commentary on the song's structure, chord progressions/scales, intros/outros, and more. (Based on the instrumental version)
◼️Lyrics
This lovely day will lengthen into evening
We'll sigh goodbye to all we've ever had
Alone where we have walked together
I'll remember April and be glad
I'll be content you loved me once in April
Your lips were warm and love and Spring were new
I'm not afraid of Autumn and her sorrow
For I'll remember April and you
The fire will dwindle into glowing ashes
For flames and love live such a little while
I won't forget but I won't be lonely
I'll remember April and I'll smile