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.
Im Putting All My Eggs In One Basket
Oscar Peterson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
My Juliets have been many
But now my roaming days have gone
Too many irons in the fire
Is worse than not having any
I've had my share and from now on:
I'm putting all my eggs in one basket
I'm giving all my love to one baby
Heaven help me if my baby don't come through
I've got a great big amount
Saved up in my love account
Honey
And I've decided
Love divided
In two
Won't do
So
I'm putting all my eggs in one basket
I'm betting everything I've got on you
I've been a roaming Juliet
My Romeos have been many
But now my roaming days have gone
Too many irons in the fire
Is worse than not having any
I've had my share and from now on:
I'm putting all my eggs in one basket
I'm betting everything I've got on you
I'm giving all my love to one baby
Heaven help me if my baby don't come through
I've tried to love more than one
Finding it just can't be done
Honey
There's one I lie to
When I try to
Be true
To two
So
I'm putting all my eggs in one basket
I'm betting everything I've got on you
These lyrics from Oscar Peterson's song "I'm Putting All My Eggs In One Basket" convey a deep and heartfelt sentiment of devotion and commitment. The opening lines talk about the singer's past experiences of being a "roaming Romeo" with many romantic interests, and similarly, the singer's partner had been a "roaming Juliet" with many suitors. However, both have come to a realization that having too many options or distractions ("too many irons in the fire") is actually detrimental, and they have decided to focus their love and attention on one person, symbolized as putting all their eggs in one basket.
The decision to put all their eggs in one basket is a metaphor for wholeheartedly investing in one individual, giving all their love and betting everything on that person. This decision is described as a significant choice that carries both hope and vulnerability. The singer acknowledges the risk involved in such a commitment, expressing a reliance on divine intervention with the plea, "Heaven help me if my baby don't come through," highlighting the importance of the other person reciprocating their feelings and efforts.
The lyrics delve into the idea of valuing quality over quantity when it comes to love. The singer mentions having a substantial amount of love saved up in their "love account," indicating that they have a lot of love to give. However, they have now realized that dividing their love between multiple individuals is not fulfilling or sustainable. The choice to focus on one person is driven by the understanding that true love cannot be spread thin or diluted, as expressed in the lines, "Love divided in two won't do."
The final verses reiterate the theme of commitment and loyalty to one person, emphasizing the challenges and impossibility of loving more than one individual sincerely. There is a sense of honesty and integrity in the decision to be faithful and true to one partner, as attempting to juggle multiple relationships leads to deceit and inner conflict. The repeated chorus serves as a declaration of the singer's unwavering dedication and determination to invest all their emotions and hopes in their chosen partner, ultimately seeking reciprocation and a fulfilling connection.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Irving Berlin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind