Born in Montreal, Canada, Peterson began learning trumpet and piano from his father at the age of five, but by the age of seven, after a bout of tuberculosis, he concentrated on the piano. Some of the artists who influenced Peterson during the early years were Teddy Wilson, Nat "King" Cole, James P. Johnson, and the legendary Art Tatum, to whom many have tried to compare Peterson in later years. In fact, one of his first exposures to the musical talents of Art Tatum came early in his teen years when his father played an Art Tatum record to him and Peterson was so intimidated by what he heard that he didn't touch the piano for over a week.
He soon developed a reputation as a technically brilliant and melodically inventive jazz pianist, and became a regular on Canadian radio. His United States introduction was at Carnegie Hall, New York City in 1949 by Norman Granz; owing to union restrictions his appearance could not be billed.
Some of his musical associates have included Lester Young, Ray Brown, Ben Webster, Herb Ellis, Ed Thigpen, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Louis Armstrong, Stéphane Grappelli, Ella Fitzgerald, Clark Terry, Joe Pass, Count Basie, and Stan Getz. An important step in his career was joining impresario Norman Granz's labels (especially Verve records) and Granz's Jazz at the Philharmonic package, with which he was able to play with the major jazz artists of the time. Granz was also his manager for most of Peterson's career. Some cognoscenti assert that Peterson's best recordings were made for the MPS label in the late 'sixties and early 'seventies. For some years subsequently he recorded for Granz's Pablo Records after the label was founded in 1973 and in more recent years for the Telarc label.
In 1993, Peterson suffered a serious stroke that weakened his left side and sidelined him for two years. However he overcame this setback and went back to touring, recording, and composing on a limited basis. In 1997 he received a Grammy for Lifetime Achievement and an International Jazz Hall of Fame Award. He died on December 24th, 2007 of kidney failure.
Ghost of a Chance With You
Oscar Peterson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I don't stand a ghost of a chance with you!
I thought at last I'd found you, but other lovers surround you
And "I don't stand a ghost of a chance with you!"
If you'd surrender just for a tender kiss or two
You might discover, that I'm the lover meant for you
And I'd be true, but what's the good of scheming
I know I must be dreaming
The lyrics to Oscar Peterson's "Ghost of a Chance With You" express the loving desperation of someone who has feelings for another person, but knows that their chances of winning them over are slim to none. The first two lines of the opening verse lay out the songwriter's feelings, where they express their need and love for the other person. The second line of the verse establishes the theme of the song when they say they "don't stand a ghost of a chance" with the person they love. The next few lines of the song describe the singer's feelings of disappointment, as they realize that the person they love is already surrounded by other lovers.
The singer then shares with their love interest that if they were to give them a chance, even if it was just a kiss or two, they may realize the love that they have been searching for. However, the singer knows that their chances are slim and that they are probably just dreaming of a love that they cannot have. The song's lyrics resonate with anyone who has ever been in love with someone they can't have. The songwriters also use the metaphor of a ghost to describe the singer's chances, emphasizing just how ephemeral and fragile their hopes are.
Line by Line Meaning
I need your love so badly, I love you, oh, so madly
I am deeply in love with you and I desperately need your love.
But I don't stand a ghost of a chance with you!
However, I am fully aware that I don't have any chances of being with you.
I thought at last I'd found you, but other lovers surround you
Although I thought I had finally found you, it seems like you are surrounded by other people who love you.
And "I don't stand a ghost of a chance with you!"
Therefore, I am still fully aware that I have no chance of being with you.
If you'd surrender just for a tender kiss or two
If you would just give me a chance and allow me to kiss you tenderly,
You might discover, that I'm the lover meant for you
Maybe then, you would realize that I am the person you are meant to be with.
And I'd be true, but what's the good of scheming
I can assure you that I would always be loyal, but there is no point in trying to come up with a plan to win your heart.
I know I must be dreaming
I am aware that the chances of being with you are slim to none, and it all seems like a dream.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Bing Crosby, Ned Washington, Victor Popular Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind