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.
A Time For Love
Oscar Peterson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Simply because you're near me.
Funny, but when you're near me
I'm in the mood for love.
Heaven is in your eyes
Bright as the stars we're under
Oh! Is it any wonder
Why stop to think of whether
This little dream might fade?
We've put our hearts together
Now we are one, I'm not afraid!
If there's a cloud above
If it should rain we'll let it
But for tonight, forget it!
I'm in the mood for love
The song 'I'm in the mood for love' by Oscar Peterson is a beautiful and romantic piece that speaks of being in love. The lyrics are filled with emotion and depict the mood of the singer. The first verse states that the singer is in the mood for love simply because the person they love is near them. The second line adds humor by saying that when the person is near them, they can't help but be in the mood for love.
The second verse talks about how heaven is in the eyes of the person the singer loves, and how their brightness is as bright as the stars above. The lyrics wonder if it's any wonder that the singer is in the mood for love when they're with them. The third verse speaks of not worrying about the future and enjoying the present. The singer says that they're no longer afraid because their hearts are put together, and they're one.
The last verse talks about how there might be a cloud above, and if it should rain they'll let it. However, for tonight, all that matters is that they're in the mood for love. The lyrics paint a beautiful picture of being in love and the emotions that come along with it.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm in the mood for love
I am feeling a romantic attraction towards someone
Simply because you're near me.
The reason I am feeling this way is because the person I am attracted to is in close proximity to me
Funny, but when you're near me
I find it humorous that my emotions are so affected by this person being in my vicinity
Heaven is in your eyes
The person has beautiful eyes that are captivating and make me feel elated
Bright as the stars we're under
Their eyes are shining and twinkling like stars above us
Oh! Is it any wonder
It's not surprising that I am feeling the way that I am due to the person's captivating appearance
I'm in the mood for love?
I am questioning why I am feeling this way, but am still acknowledging my emotions
Why stop to think of whether
I see no point in pondering the possibility that this feeling might not last
This little dream might fade?
I am referring to the feeling of being in love as a 'little dream' that I don't want to lose
We've put our hearts together
My romantic interest and I have established a close connection and relationship
Now we are one, I'm not afraid!
I feel confident and unafraid now that we have become a unified couple
If there's a cloud above
If there are negative circumstances or obstacles present
If it should rain we'll let it
We will face and endure any hardships or struggles that come our way
But for tonight, forget it!
I don't want to focus on or worry about any future issues; for tonight, let's just enjoy each other's company
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Dorothy Fields, Jimmy Mchugh
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ElAye
Dear Mack Avenue,
I love your sound!🎶
@mwong987
Oscar Peterson I really like the way you play piano and speak, please come back some day.
@ousmanediallo-ne6mf
👏👏👏👏🥰🥰