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.
Here's To Life
Oscar Peterson Lyrics
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No complaints and no regrets
I still believe in chasing dreams and placing bets
But I had learn that all you give is all you get
So give it all you got
I had my fill and drank my share
To see what done on other road behind the hill
And do it all again
So here's to life
And every joy it brings
So here's to life
To dreamers and their dreams
Honey, all the times just climes
A love can go from more hellos to sad goodbyes
And live you with the memories you memorized
To keep your winters warm
There is no yes in yesterday
And who knows what tomorrow brings or takes away
As long as I'm still in the game I want to play
For last, for life, for love
So here's to life
And every joy it brings
Here's to life
To dreamers and their dreams
May all your storms be weathered
And all that's good get better
Here's to life, here's to love, here's to you
May all your storms be weathered
And all that's good get better
Here's to life, here's to love, here's to you
The lyrics of Here's to Life, composed by Artie Butler and Phyllis Molinary, express a sense of gratitude toward life and all that it brings, both good and bad. The singer starts by stating that they have no complaints or regrets, despite having chased dreams and taken risks. They have learned that what you give is what you get, so it's important to give everything you've got. The singer reminisces about their past experiences and decisions, acknowledging that they've had their fair share of fun but are still curious about what lies beyond the horizon. They want to seize every moment and make the most of it.
The lyrics take a poignant turn in the second verse, as the singer reflects on the transience of love and relationships. They acknowledge that love can fade away, leaving only memories behind; even so, these memories are a source of warmth during the cold winter months. The lyrics then take on a more philosophical tone, suggesting that the past cannot be changed and the future is uncertain, so it's important to focus on the present and make the most of it. The singer concludes by raising a toast to life, to all the joys and sorrows it brings, and to all the dreamers who still pursue their dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
Here's to life
Cheers to living and enjoying life
No complaints and no regrets
I choose to live without regrets or complaints
I still believe in chasing dreams and placing bets
I still believe in pursuing my dreams and taking risks
But I had learn that all you give is all you get
I have learned that what you put in is what you get out
So give it all you got
So put all your effort into what you do
I had my fill and drank my share
I have experienced what life has to offer
And even though I'm satisfy I always still
And even though I am content, I still
To see what done on other road behind the hill
I am curious about what may lie beyond the horizon
And do it all again
And I would do it all over again
Honey, all the times just climes
Life is full of ups and downs
A love can go from more hellos to sad goodbyes
A relationship can start with happiness but end in sadness
And live you with the memories you memorized
Leaving you with memories you have memorized
To keep your winters warm
To keep yourself warm during the difficult times
There is no yes in yesterday
The past cannot be changed
And who knows what tomorrow brings or takes away
The future is unpredictable
As long as I'm still in the game I want to play
As long as I am alive, I want to keep enjoying life
For last, for life, for love
For my past, my present life, and my love
May all your storms be weathered
May you successfully overcome all life's challenges
And all that's good get better
May all your positive experiences keep getting better
Here's to life, here's to love, here's to you
Cheers to life, love, and to you as a person
Lyrics © DOMINANT JEANS MUSIC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: PHYLLIS JEAN MOLINARY, ARTIE BUTLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind