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Coffee Break

9:30 Coffee Break: Fall Color

by Jill Riley and Sean McPherson

October 23, 2015

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in autumn
Bright yellow autumn leaves gather on the surface of the pond in the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum's azalea garden.
MPR photo/Luke Taylor

As the leaves change color each autumn in Minnesota, we're always impressed by the brilliant colors. Alas, the season is fleeting.

According to MPR News, this is likely the last weekend to get a glimpse of Minnesota's fall colors. Most of the state is past peak, except for a small corner of southeastern Minnesota where it's still prime time for the reds and yellows.

If you'd like to get out this weekend and take in the fall scenery, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources provides an interactive color-finder map based on observations from all 75 of Minnesota's state parks and recreation areas.

As the fall colors of 2015 are enjoying their last burst, we're thinking about songs that celebrate the variety and the vibrancy of autumn color.

So for today's 9:30 Coffee Break, what songs do you want to hear that mention the palette of fall color: reds, yellows, oranges? Send us your requests.

Songs Played


R.E.M. "Orange Crush"
Ken Nordine "Crimson"
Simon and Garfunkel "A Hazy Shade of Winter"
Cocteau Twins "Pink Orange Red"
Coldplay "Yellow"
The Mamas and the Papas "California Dreamin'"
Ken Nordine "Gold"
Elvis Costello "(The Angels Wanna Wear My ) Red Shoes"

Do you deserve a Coffee Break? We at The Current's Morning Show think you do, and we want to bring treats from Black: Coffee and Waffle Bar to your workplace. Let us know why you'd like a Coffee Break.