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.
Don't Blame Me
Oscar Peterson Lyrics
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I've hung around you just like a fool
Falling head and heels in love like a kid out of school.
My poor heart is in an awful state now
But it's too late now to call a halt
So if I become a nuisance it's all your fault!
Don't blame me for falling in love with you
I'm under your spell but how can I help it!
Don't' blame me!
Can't you see when you do the things you do!
If I can't conceal the thrill that I'm feeling,
Don't blame; me.
Ican't help it if that doggoned moon above
Makes me need someone like you to love!
Blame your kiss as sweet as a kiss can be
And blame all your charms that melt in my arms
But don't blame me.
I like every single thing about you
Without a doubt you are like a dream
In my mind I find a picture of us as a team
Ever since the hour of our meeting
I've been repeating a silly phrase
Hoping that you'll understand me one of these days.
Don't blame me for falling in love with you
I'm under your spell but how can I help it!
Don't' blame me!
Can't you see when you do the things you do!
If I can't conceal the thrill that I'm feeling,
Don't blame; me.
Ican't help it if that doggoned moon above
Makes me need someone like you to love!
Blame your kiss as sweet as a kiss can be
And blame all your charms that melt in my arms
But don't blame me.
Oscar Peterson's song "Don't Blame Me" is a melodious portrayal of a man's hopelessly lovestruck state. The song's narrative revolves around the singer's unwavering and inescapable love for his significant other, despite acknowledging the inevitable heartbreak that will ensue. The song's opening lines detail the singer's luck in meeting the person who has now captured his heart. Since then, he has been hanging around them like a fool, falling in love like a child out of school. Although his heart is in distress, he realizes it's too late to halt his feelings. The singer hopes that his significant other will understand the depths of his emotions, despite the apparent nuisance he may become.
The chorus of the song, "Don't Blame Me," encapsulates the singer's sheer helplessness in the face of his love. He can't help falling in love, even if it causes him distress. Peterson masterfully creates a musical backdrop that enhances the singer's emotions, from the muted horn opening to the soft yet compelling piano interludes.
The verses of the song are filled with vivid descriptions of the singer's love for his significant other. The moon above, sweet kisses, charming personality, and warmth of the embrace, all contribute to the singer's feeling of being in a dream-like state. He acknowledges that he can't help his feelings, and if anyone is to be held responsible, it's the person who has won his heart.
Line by Line Meaning
Ever since the lucky night I found you
Since that fortunate night when I found you
I've hung around you just like a fool
I've been foolishly sticking around you
Falling head and heels in love like a kid out of school.
Falling deeply in love like a naive school child
My poor heart is in an awful state now
My heart is now in a terrible state
But it's too late now to call a halt
But now it's too late to stop it
So if I become a nuisance it's all your fault!
It's your fault if I become a bother!
Don't blame me for falling in love with you
Don't hold me responsible for my love towards you
I'm under your spell but how can I help it!
I'm enchanted by you, but can't control how I feel
Don't' blame me!
Don't accuse or blame me
Can't you see when you do the things you do!
Don't you recognize when you act the way you do?
If I can't conceal the thrill that I'm feeling,
If I can't hide my excitement
Don't blame; me.
Don't hold me accountable
Ican't help it if that doggoned moon above
I'm unable to prevent the influence from that darned moon up there
Makes me need someone like you to love!
That makes me crave someone like you to love
Blame your kiss as sweet as a kiss can be
Blame your incredibly sweet kiss
And blame all your charms that melt in my arms
And hold your irresistible charms accountable for making me melt in your embrace
But don't blame me.
But don't put the blame on me.
I like every single thing about you
I adore every aspect of you
Without a doubt you are like a dream
You're undoubtedly like a dream
In my mind I find a picture of us as a team
In my imagination, I see us as a perfect pair
Ever since the hour of our meeting
Since the moment we first met
I've been repeating a silly phrase
I've been foolishly repeating a phrase
Hoping that you'll understand me one of these days.
Hoping that one day, you'll comprehend my feelings
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: DOROTHY FIELDS, JIMMY MC HUGH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind