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 Get Around Much Anymore
Oscar Peterson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Heard they crowded the floor
Couldn't bear it without you
Don't get around much anymore
Though I'd visit the club
Got as far as the door
They'd have asked me about you
Darling, I guess my mind's more at ease
But nevertheless why stir up memories?
Been invited on dates
Might have gone but what for?
Awf'lly diff'rent without you
Don't get around much anymore
The lyrics to Oscar Peterson's song Don't Get Around Much Anymore depict a sense of loneliness and longing. The singer speaks of missing the Saturday dance and hearing how crowded the floor was but not being able to bear it without their loved one. They explain that they had gone so far as to visit the club but couldn't bring themselves to go inside, as people would ask about their missing partner. The chorus repeats the title phrase, highlighting the fact that the singer has become a recluse and doesn't venture out as much as they used to.
The final verse of the song explains that, despite being invited on dates, the singer doesn't see the point in going. Without their partner, everything is "awf'lly diff'rent" and it's clear that they're still carrying the weight of their absence. The song's melancholic tone can be interpreted as a commentary on the end of a relationship or the feeling of being alone, even in a crowd.
Line by Line Meaning
Missed the Saturday dance
I didn't attend the Saturday dance
Heard they crowded the floor
I heard that the dance floor was packed
Couldn't bear it without you
I couldn't stand being there without you
Don't get around much anymore
I rarely go out anymore
Though I'd visit the club
I thought about going to the club
Got as far as the door
I only made it to the entrance
They'd have asked me about you
If I had gone in, they would have asked about you
Don't get around much anymore
I rarely go out anymore
Darling, I guess my mind's more at ease
My mind is more relaxed now, my dear
But nevertheless why stir up memories?
But why bring up old memories?
Been invited on dates
I've been asked out on dates
Might have gone but what for?
I could have accepted, but what's the point?
Awf'lly diff'rent without you
It's so different without you around
Don't get around much anymore
I rarely go out anymore
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Duke Ellington, Bob Russell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rolf W
Just beautiful.. Oscar Peterson was a master.
Jazzinthecountry
My all-time fave version of this classic
Terry Kinakin
This is nice and slow swing! I like how this tempo feels, most play faster than it needs to be.
..
TheJazzMan
what a rendition!!! HOLY HELL
Okiepita50 T-town
A fine example of less is more. He was the cream of the crop.
Jan Lomnicky
Genius Peterson z arranžované od génia Duka Ellingtona