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.
Dancing In The Dark
Oscar Peterson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We're dancin' in the dark and it soon ends
We're waltzin' in the wonder of why we're here
Time hurries by, we're here, and gone
Lookin' for the light of a new love
To brighten up the night, I have you love
And we can face the music together
What though love is old
What though song is old
Through them we can be young
Hear this heart of mine
Make yous part of mine
Dear one, tell me that we're one
Dancin' in the dark 'til the tune ends
We're dancin' in the dark and it soon ends
We're waltzin' in the wonder of why we're here
Time hurries by, we're here, and gone t
Lookin' for the light of a new love
To brighten up the night I have you love
And we can face the music together
Dancin' in the dark
Dancin' in the dark
Dancin' in the dark
The lyrics to "Dancing in the Dark" by Oscar Peterson capture the fleeting nature of love and the transient beauty of life. The song begins with the imagery of dancing in the dark until the tune ends, metaphorically referring to the temporary moments of joy and romance that fade away in time. The repetition of this line emphasizes the transitory nature of these experiences. It is as if the dancers are fully engrossed in the moment, oblivious to the fact that the music will eventually stop.
The second stanza talks about the search for new love, seeking someone who can brighten up the darkness that surrounds us. The lyrics suggest that love can bring light into our lives, offering hope and companionship. There is an emphasis on unity and togetherness in facing life's challenges, symbolized through the act of dancing. By dancing together, they can navigate through the uncertainties of life and embrace their shared experiences.
The final lines of the song reflect on the power of love and music to keep us young at heart. Regardless of the age of love or the age of the song, they can ignite a sense of youthfulness within us. The line "Dear one, tell me that we're one" expresses the desire for connection and unity. It is about finding solace in the presence of a loved one and the assurance that they are in this journey together.
Overall, "Dancing in the Dark" touches upon the ephemerality of love, the significance of finding light in the darkness, and the timeless nature of music and love. It captures the essence of living fully in the present, cherishing the moments before they fade away.
Line by Line Meaning
Dancin' in the dark 'til the tune ends
We're enjoying ourselves in the darkness until the music comes to a stop
We're dancin' in the dark and it soon ends
We're embracing the darkness, but it won't last forever
We're waltzin' in the wonder of why we're here
We're gracefully navigating through the unknown, questioning the purpose of our existence
Time hurries by, we're here, and gone
Time moves quickly, and before we know it, we're no longer present
Lookin' for the light of a new love
Searching for the brightness and joy that a new love can bring
To brighten up the night, I have you love
You are the one who brings light and happiness into my life
And we can face the music together
We can confront life's challenges and joys as a united couple
Dancing in the dark
Engaging in a joyful and carefree dance despite the uncertainty and lack of clarity
What though love is old
Even if love seems familiar and well-worn
What though song is old
Even if the song itself is not new or groundbreaking
Through them we can be young
Through love and music, we can relive the feelings of youth and vitality
Hear this heart of mine
Listen to the emotions and desires within my heart
Make yous part of mine
Merge your own heart and feelings with mine
Dear one, tell me that we're one
My beloved, assure me that we are in complete harmony and unity
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Arthur Schwartz, Howard Dietz
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Norman Hall
Pure and great talent. I didn't know that Oscar and Fred had ever teamed up until recently. Wow!
Timothy Ducey
I have the original 2 vinyll set on Verve. It never gets old. Everyone on this presented song are musicians that I ABSOLUTELY love. Including a “Fast Of Foot” singer named Fred. Just great stuff. ❤
Randall Sundeen
This song says CLASS!!!
Glennsten Bergkvist
How can there have been so few views (898) over two years?