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.
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
Oscar Peterson Lyrics
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You've got me in between the devil and the deep blue sea
I forgive you, 'cause I can't forget you
You've got me in between the devil and the deep blue sea
[Repeat: x2]
I ought to cross you off my list
But when you come a-knocking at my door
And I come running back for more
I should hate you, but I guess I love you
You've got me in between the devil and the deep blue sea
You've got me in between the devil and the deep blue sea
The devil and the deep blue sea
In Oscar Peterson's song "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea," the lyrics depict a conflicted state of emotions and a difficult dilemma. The singer declares that they don't want their love interest in their life, but simultaneously expresses a fear of losing them. The phrase "between the devil and the deep blue sea" is a metaphorical expression that refers to being caught in a difficult situation with no easy way out. In this song, it represents being torn between the desire to let go of the person causing them pain (the devil), and the fear of being alone and losing something valuable (the deep blue sea).
The singer acknowledges their conflicting emotions, stating that they forgive the person for the hurt they've caused because they can't seem to forget them. This displays a sense of vulnerability and a struggle to make rational decisions when it comes to matters of the heart. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the internal struggle, with the singer recognizing that they should let go and move on, but fate intervenes, pulling them back into the tumultuous relationship.
Overall, the song captures the complexities of being in a difficult and unstable relationship, where conflicting emotions and fear of loss weigh heavily on the decision-making process.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't want you, but I'd hate to lose you
Although I don't desire you, the thought of losing you brings me great distress
You've got me in between the devil and the deep blue sea
I find myself caught in a difficult situation, torn between two equally challenging options
I forgive you, 'cause I can't forget you
Despite the pain you've caused, I pardon you because I cannot erase you from my memory
I ought to cross you off my list
It would be rational for me to remove you from my plans or desires
But when you come a-knocking at my door
Yet, when you unexpectedly appear in my life once again
Fate seems to give my heart a twist
Destiny takes hold of my emotions, causing a sudden surge of conflicting feelings
And I come running back for more
I find myself irresistibly drawn back to you, seeking further involvement
I should hate you, but I guess I love you
Logic dictates that I should despise you, but I concede that I still harbor affection for you
The devil and the deep blue sea
Symbolizing the choice between undesirable options, representing a challenging predicament
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, S.A. MUSIC, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, MUSIC.INFO FINLAND OY, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harold Arlen, Ted Koehler
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind