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.
Chattanooga Choo Choo
Oscar Peterson Lyrics
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Track twenty nine, boy you can gimme a shine
I can afford to board a Chattanooga Choo Choo
I've got my fare and just a trifle to spare
You leave the Pennsylvania station 'bout a quarter to four
Read a magazine and then you're in Baltimore
Dinner in the diner, nothing could be finer
When you hear the whistle blowin' eight to the bar
Then you know that Tennessee is not very far
Shovel all the coal in, gotta keep it rollin'
Woo, woo, Chattanooga, there you are
There's gonna be a certain party at the station
Satin and lace, I used to call funny face
She's gonna cry until I tell her that I'll never roam
The lyrics to "Chattanooga Choo Choo" by Oscar Peterson depict a person's journey on a train called the Chattanooga Choo Choo. The singer begins by asking if the train in question is the Chattanooga Choo Choo, expressing their intent to board it. They boast about being able to afford the fare and having a little extra money.
The song then describes the journey on the train. Leaving from the Pennsylvania station around 3:45 PM, the singer passes the time by reading a magazine, eventually reaching Baltimore. The diner on the train is praised, with the singer fantasizing about enjoying a delicious meal of ham and eggs in Carolina. As the train moves forward, the sound of the whistle signifies that Tennessee is getting closer, and the coal needs to be shoveled to keep the train going. The excitement builds as they approach Chattanooga, with the repeated exclamation of "Woo, woo, Chattanooga, there you are."
In the final part of the song, it is revealed that there is a special someone waiting at the station in Chattanooga. This person is described as wearing satin and lace, and the singer used to call them "funny face." The singer suggests that this person will cry until they assure them that they will never roam or leave again.
Overall, the lyrics of "Chattanooga Choo Choo" convey a sense of anticipation and adventure as the singer embarks on a train journey, highlighting the excitement of traveling and the promise of reuniting with a loved one.
Line by Line Meaning
Pardon me boy, is that the Chattanooga Choo Choo?
Excuse me, sir, is that the train to Chattanooga?
Track twenty nine, boy you can gimme a shine
Platform number twenty-nine, young man, could you please shine my shoes?
I can afford to board a Chattanooga Choo Choo
I have enough money to buy a ticket for the Chattanooga train
I've got my fare and just a trifle to spare
I have enough money for the ticket and a little extra
You leave the Pennsylvania station 'bout a quarter to four
You depart from Pennsylvania station around 3:45
Read a magazine and then you're in Baltimore
Read a magazine and you'll arrive in Baltimore
Dinner in the diner, nothing could be finer
Having dinner in the train's dining car is a delightful experience
Than to have your ham 'n' eggs in Carolina
Especially when you can enjoy a delicious breakfast of ham and eggs in Carolina
When you hear the whistle blowin' eight to the bar
When you hear the whistle sound with a rhythmic pattern of eight beats
Then you know that Tennessee is not very far
You'll realize that Tennessee is relatively close by
Shovel all the coal in, gotta keep it rollin'
They have to keep putting coal in the engine to keep the train moving
Woo, woo, Chattanooga, there you are
The train finally arrives in Chattanooga, as indicated by the sound of the whistle
There's gonna be a certain party at the station
There's going to be a particular gathering or event at the train station
Satin and lace, I used to call funny face
Referring to a person who used to be called 'funny face' and is now wearing fancy clothing made of satin and lace
She's gonna cry until I tell her that I'll never roam
She'll express sadness until I reassure her that I won't wander and stay with her
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Mack Gordon, Harry Warren
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind