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.
Bewitched
Oscar Peterson Lyrics
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But a fool can have her charms
I'm in love and don't I show it
Like a babe in arms
Love's the same old situation
Lately I've not slept a wink
Since this crazy situation
I'm wild again, beguiled again
A whimpering, simpering child again
Bewitched, bothered and bewildered, am I
Couldn't sleep, wouldn't sleep
Love came and told me, shouldn't sleep
Bewitched, bothered and bewildered, am I
I lost my heart, but what of it
She is cold I agree
She might laugh, but I love it
Although the laugh's on me
I'll sing to her, bring spring to her
And long, for the day when I'll cling to her
Bewitched, bothered and bewildered, am I
"Piano Giant" Oscar Peterson's song Bewitched is an enchanting classic that tells the tale of a man smitten with a woman who is not good for him. The opening lines "She's a fool and don't I know it, but a fool can have her charms" set the stage for the story of a man who is bewitched by the woman in question, despite the fact that he is fully aware of her flaws. He goes on to say "love's the same old situation" suggesting that he's been down this path before and has yet to learn his lesson.
The chorus then repeats the title, "Bewitched, bothered and bewildered, am I" illustrating the hold that this woman has over him. He can't sleep, he's wild and whimpering, and he feels like a child again because of her. The final lines, "I lost my heart, but what of it, she is cold I agree, she might laugh but I love it, although the laughs on me," show the depth of his feelings, even though he knows this woman is not good for him.
Interestingly, the song ends with a bit of hope. The singer claims that he will sing to her and bring spring to her, long for the day when he will cling to her, even though he knows deep down that this love is likely doomed.
Line by Line Meaning
She's a fool and don't I know it
She may be foolish but I am aware of it
But a fool can have her charms
Yet even a foolish person can possess attractive qualities
I'm in love and don't I show it
I am deeply in love with her and my feelings are prominent
Like a babe in arms
I feel vulnerable and weak around her
Love's the same old situation
Love is a similar circumstance to that which I have experienced before
Lately I've not slept a wink
Recently, I have been unable to sleep
Since this crazy situation
Due to this crazy event taking place
Has me on the blink
I am confused and overwhelmed by it
I'm wild again, beguiled again
I feel unrestrained and captivated again
A whimpering, simpering child again
I feel like a helpless and foolish child again
Bewitched, bothered and bewildered, am I
I am completely under her spell, bothered, and confused
Couldn't sleep, wouldn't sleep
I was not able and unwilling to fall asleep
Love came and told me, shouldn't sleep
Love advised me that I should not sleep
Bewitched, bothered and bewildered, am I
I am completely under her spell, bothered, and confused
I lost my heart, but what of it
I have given away my heart, but it doesn't matter
She is cold I agree
She may be distant, and I concede to that fact
She might laugh, but I love it
Even if she laughs at me, I adore her for it
Although the laugh's on me
Even though she is laughing at my expense
I'll sing to her, bring spring to her
I will serenade her and bring her happiness
And long, for the day when I'll cling to her
And eagerly wait for the day that I can hold her close
Bewitched, bothered and bewildered, am I
I am completely under her spell, bothered, and confused
Lyrics © DistroKid, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind