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.
As Long as I Live
Oscar Peterson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As long as I want to
Life isn't long enough, baby
But I can love you as long as I live
Baby, I can't buy you diamonds and things
Like I want to
But I can promise you, baby
Well, I never cared but now I'm scared
That I won't live long enough
That's why I wear my rubbers when it rains
And eat an apple every day and see the doctor anyway
What if I can't live to love you
As long as I want to?
Life isn't long enough, baby
But I can love you as long as I live
Baby, I can't live to love you
As long as I want to
Life isn't long enough, baby
But I can love you as long as I live
Baby, I can't buy you diamonds and things
Like I want to
But I can promise you, baby
I'm going to want you as long as I live
Well, you know, I never cared but now I'm scared
I won't live long enough
That's why I wear my rubbers when it rains
And eat an apple every day and see the doctor anyway
What if I can't live to love you
As long as I want to?
Long as I promise you, baby
I'm going to want to as long as I live
As long as I promise you
Well,
the lyrics of Oscar Peterson's "As Long As I Live" are a poignant expression of a deep and abiding love. The singer acknowledges that life is short and uncertain, and that he may not be able to provide all the material gifts and tokens of affection that he would like to, but he promises to love his beloved for as long as he lives. The repetition of this phrase, "I can't live to love you as long as I want to, life isn't long enough, baby, but I can love you as long as I live," underscores the main theme of the song and emphasizes the singer's commitment to his love.
The song also includes a hint of anxiety and fear about the future, with the lyric "I never cared but now I'm scared that I won't live long enough." This sense of trepidation is further reinforced by the reference to practical measures like wearing rubbers in the rain and eating an apple every day to ensure longevity. However, despite these concerns, the singer remains steadfast in his devotion, and the song ends on a hopeful note with the affirmation that he will want to love his beloved for as long as he lives.
Overall, "As Long As I Live" is a touching love song that speaks to the transience of life and the enduring power of devotion. It also highlights the importance of cherishing and valuing our relationships in the face of uncertainty and impermanence.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby, I can't live to love you
I cannot live long enough to love you as much as I want to.
As long as I want to
As much as I desire, yearn, and long to love you.
Life isn't long enough, baby
Human life doesn't last long enough to fulfill all of our desires and wants for love.
But I can love you as long as I live
However, I will love you throughout my lifetime to the best of my ability.
Baby, I can't buy you diamonds and things
I cannot purchase expensive and luxurious items for you.
Like I want to
As much as I desire, yearn, and long to buy you such items.
But I can promise you, baby
However, I can assure and guarantee you, my love.
I'm going to want you as long as I live
I will have the deep desire and longing for you throughout my lifetime.
Well, I never cared but now I'm scared
Previously, I didn't think about the possibility of not living long enough, but now it scares me.
That I won't live long enough
The concern and worry that I might not have enough time in my life to love you fully.
That's why I wear my rubbers when it rains
I take precautionary measures such as wearing rubbers when it rains.
And eat an apple every day and see the doctor anyway
I take care of my health by eating well and seeing a doctor regularly.
What if I can't live to love you
What if I am unable to live long enough to love you as much as I desire?
Long as I promise you, baby
Despite the possibility of not having enough time, I make a vow to you, my love.
I'm going to want to as long as I live
I will continue to have a strong desire and longing for you throughout my lifetime.
As long as I promise you
I make this promise and assurance to you for as long as I am alive.
Well
The start of a new thought or idea.
Lyrics © S.A. MUSIC
Written by: Harold Arlen, Ted Koehler
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind