Teach Me
Count Basie Oscar Peterson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well, don't think I'm trying not to learn
Since this is the perfect spot to learn
Teach me tonight
Starting with the A-B-C of it
Getting right down to the X-Y-Z of it
Help me solve the mystery of it
The sky's a blackboard high above you
And if a shooting star goes by
I'll use that star to write "I love you"
A thousand times across the sky
One thing isn't very clear, my love
Teachers shouldn't stand so near, my love
Graduation's almost here, my love
You'd better teach me tonight
I've played loves scenes in a flick or two
And I've also met a chick or two
But I still can learn a trick or two
Hey, teach me tonight
I who thought I knew the score of it
Kind of think I should know much more of it
Off the wall, the bed, the floor of it
Hey, teach me tonight
The midnight hours come slowly creeping
When there's no one there but you
There must be more to life than sleeping
Single in a bed for two
What I need most is post graduate
What I feel is hard to articulate
If you want me to matriculate
You'd better teach me tonight
What do you get for lessons?
Teach me
Come on and teach me
Teach me tonight
The lyrics to Count Basie & Joe Williams's song "Teach Me Tonight" convey a sense of vulnerability and a willingness to learn. The singer of the song is asking their lover to teach them about love and intimacy, and the lyrics show a sense of eagerness to explore and learn from their partner. The imagery of the sky as a "blackboard" creates a sense of limitless possibility and the desire to learn as much as possible about their lover.
The singer also acknowledges their own shortcomings and their need for guidance. They mention that they have played love scenes in movies and been with other partners, but they still have much to learn. This shows a sense of humility and a recognition that they are not perfect, but they are willing to put in the effort to learn and grow.
The line "Teachers shouldn't stand so near, my love / Graduation's almost here, my love" adds a playful and flirtatious tone to the song. The singer is acknowledging their romantic attraction to their partner and their desire to learn from them both physically and emotionally. The use of these metaphors adds depth to the song and creates a sense of intimacy between the singer and their lover.
Line by Line Meaning
Did you say that I've got a lot to learn?
Are you telling me that I lack knowledge on a particular topic?
Well, don't think I'm trying not to learn
Don't assume that I am not willing to learn just because I lack knowledge.
Since this is the perfect spot to learn
This is the ideal situation to learn about the topic at hand.
Teach me tonight
Please educate me on this subject matter tonight.
Starting with the A-B-C of it
We should begin with the basic principles of the topic.
Getting right down to the X-Y-Z of it
We need to delve into the nitty-gritty details of the topic.
Help me solve the mystery of it
Please assist me in clarifying any complex or unclear aspects of the topic.
Teach me tonight
Please educate me on this subject matter tonight.
The sky's a blackboard high above you
The sky is equivalent to a blackboard in the sky above us.
And if a shooting star goes by
In the event a shooting star flies over us.
I'll use that star to write "I love you"
I will use that star to pen the message 'I love you.'
A thousand times across the sky
I want to write the message 'I love you' a thousand times across the sky.
One thing isn't very clear, my love
There is one thing that isn't apparent to me, my beloved.
Teachers shouldn't stand so near, my love
Educators should not be so bodily close, my darling.
Graduation's almost here, my love
Graduation is approaching soon, my sweetheart.
You'd better teach me tonight
You should educate me on this topic tonight, otherwise I may not learn in time.
I've played loves scenes in a flick or two
I have acted in romantic scenes in one or two movies.
And I've also met a chick or two
Additionally, I have encountered a few women.
But I still can learn a trick or two
Despite my experience, I am still open to learning a new technique or two.
Hey, teach me tonight
Please educate me on this subject matter tonight.
I who thought I knew the score of it
I am the person who believed they had a better understanding of the topic.
Kind of think I should know much more of it
However, I feel that I may be lacking in my understanding of the subject matter.
Off the wall, the bed, the floor of it
We need to go beyond the conventional methods, including the strategies employed on the pillow, bed, and other areas.
Hey, teach me tonight
Please educate me on this subject matter tonight.
The midnight hours come slowly creeping
As the midnight hour approaches stealthily.
When there's no one there but you
When you are the only one there.
There must be more to life than sleeping
Life must contain more than just sleeping.
Single in a bed for two
Alone in a bed built for two.
What I need most is postgraduate
I require a higher level of instruction than what I have presently.
What I feel is hard to articulate
It is difficult for me to express my emotions.
If you want me to matriculate
If you expect me to enroll and attend your school.
You'd better teach me tonight
You should teach me this night, or I may not be able to enroll later.
What do you get for lessons?
What is the pricing structure for the educational programs?
Teach me
I request that you educate me on this topic.
Come on and teach me
Please, teach me now.
Teach me tonight
Please educate me on this subject matter tonight.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Sammy Cahn, Gene De Paul
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Alex
I, for one, am incredibly grateful that these incomparable recordings and interviews still exist and are available on YouTube for everyone to enjoy. Thanks for posting.
IT stuff
Me too, I heartily thank UTube for these precious sharing.
I just adore Oscar Peterson who was my compatriote, (both Canadians) what a great musician he was and he was a real gentleman as well.
And I enjoy so much this beautiful piece of music. What a good time I have.
Anonymous Bosch
Yess... it is great isn't it?
Phyllis
Me too
Cheri
❤
Cheri
This is so beautiful ❤
Jellyphish Smith
I find it interesting how masters of jazz so often have such a soft quality to their voice as they speak. There is a certain zen-like quality to their persons which always makes me smile.
Traveling man
The ones not Masters have deceptive voices..Very clearly not Masters instead often bad imitators!
Caleb
Monk was kind of like that
James Connor
Interesting observation!