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.
I Only Have Eyes For You
Oscar Peterson Lyrics
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I can't see anyone but you
Sha bop sha bop
Are the stars out tonight
I don't know if it's cloudy or bright
I only have eyes for you dear
But I can't see a thing in the sky
I only have eyes for you
I don't know if we're in a garden
Or on a crowded avenue
You are here and so am I
Maybe millions of people go by
But they all disappear from view
And I only have eyes for you
The lyrics to "I Only Have Eyes For You" by Oscar Peterson speak of the depths of love and infatuation towards another individual, claiming this love to be a "blind love", as the individual can only see their lover and no one else. The chorus highlights this as the stars, the moon, the crowds all fade away from view due to this tunnel-vision-like appreciation for one person. The phrase "Sha bop sha bop" is used as a playful addition to the song, acting as a way to punctuate the lyrics' sense of joy and fun. Overall, these lyrics describe a love that is all-consuming, allowing no room for others or distractions.
Line by Line Meaning
My love must be a kind of blind love
It feels like my love for you is so intense that I can't see anyone else.
I can't see anyone but you Sha bop sha bop
You are the only one I see, and I am completely devoted to you.
Are the stars out tonight
I'm not sure if the night sky is clear enough to see the stars.
I don't know if it's cloudy or bright
I can't tell if the weather is cloudy or clear outside.
I only have eyes for you dear
Despite the weather, I still don't see anyone else but you.
The moon may be high
The moon may be in the sky, but it doesn't matter to me.
But I can't see a thing in the sky
Even with the moon in the sky, my focus is solely on you.
I only have eyes for you
My attention is fixated on you and you alone, no matter where we are.
I don't know if we're in a garden
I'm not sure if we're in a tranquil garden or a bustling street.
Or on a crowded avenue
It's possible we're in a busy street, but my attention is so drawn to you that I don't notice.
You are here and so am I
We're together, and that's all that matters to me right now.
Maybe millions of people go by
We may be surrounded by countless people passing us, but I only have eyes for you.
But they all disappear from view
Despite the number of people around us, they all pale in comparison to my love for you.
And I only have eyes for you
No matter how many people are around us, I'm so focused on you that you're the only one I see or care about.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Al Dubin, Harry Warren
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind