In the back of every print and ebook edition of Simmering Season, you’ll find the song I wrote.
Better still, in the AUDIO EDITION of Simmering Season you can hear the song, Amber Leaves, performed by my friend, John – Minsky’s Piano Man – Watson.
Learn more about John below, but…
SPOILER ALERT: don’t read the following lyrics before reading the book!
AMBER LEAVES
Music and lyrics by Jenn J McLeod.
Arranged and performed by John Watson.
Produced by Clive Lendich.
______________________
A father’s love is kind of special,
Nothing else can take its place.
With no chance to show that love I have,
My heart’s a cold and empty space.
The child I never got to know,
Secret locked within my heart.
I know you would have loved me if you knew,
If I hadn’t kept us apart.
CHORUS
Amber leaves, broken hearts,
And a winter frost sets in.
It’s a long, cold, lonely life for me,
If I never hold you in my arms again.
Amber leaves, broken hearts,
And a winter frost sets in.
It’s a long, cold, lonely life for me,
If I never see my baby girl again.
And I can’t stop thinkin’ about the choice I made.
How I never gave myself a chance.
I know in my heart, if I don’t see you again,
My life’s a long, cold, lonely dance.

The baby I never got to hold,
No chance to play my part.
I’d been a fool to think our loves would cross,
Once Amber left and broke my heart.
CHORUS
Amber leaves, broken hearts,
And a winter frost sets in.
It’s a long, cold, lonely life for me,
If I never hold you in my arms again.
Amber leaves, broken hearts,
And a winter frost sets in.
It’s a long, cold, lonely life for me,
If I never see my baby girl….. again.
**
Amber leaves, broken hearts,
And a winter frost sets in.
It’s a long, cold, lonely life for me,
If I never see my baby girl again.
And I can’t stop thinkin’ about the choice I made.
How I never gave myself a chance.
I know in my heart, if I don’t see you again,
My life’s a long, cold, lonely dance.

The baby I never got to hold,
No chance to play my part.
I’d been a fool to think our loves would cross,
Once Amber left and broke my heart.
Amber leaves, broken hearts,
And a winter frost sets in.
It’s a long, cold, lonely life for me,
If I never hold you in my arms again.
Amber leaves, broken hearts,
And a winter frost sets in.
It’s a long, cold, lonely life for me,
If I never see my baby girl….. again.
About John Watson
For 30 years the very versatile John Watson – aka The Piano Man – entertained thousands at Sydney’s Premier Piano Bar, Minskys, at the Hotel Cremorne, where his non-stop, three-hour marathon sing-a-long performances, including countless classics hits like Sweet Caroline, American Pie and Billy Joel’s, The Piano Man, are
legendary.
Winner of the ACE Awards 2005 & 2008 (Australian Club Entertainers) for Best Solo PianoPlayer and Vocal Performer, John’s past performances have even inspired romantic proposals. Entertainment reporter, Angela Bishop, met her husband gathered around John’s piano at Minskys!
Adoring fans, celebrities and packs of new generation music-lovers continue to fill Minsky’s fab new surrounds to request a favourite tune, often listening to John into the early morning hours. With his dazzling personality and memorable mix of songs, John pulls the room together in song.
I’ve had the pleasure of knowing John and his wife, Veronica, for many years and it was so lovely to have worked on this project together.
If you frequent Minsky’s Hotel (across the road from the Cremorne/Hayden Cinema complex) on a Friday or Saturday night (late and way past my bedtime!) prop yourself at the piano, tell John you are a Jenn J McLeod reader, and request the song: Amber Leaves! He tells me he’s waiting for that first request.
THANK YOU JOHN!