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 Remember Clifford
Oscar Peterson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We'll sigh goodbye to all we ever had
Alone where we have walked together
I'll remember April and be glad
I'll be content you loved me once in April
Your lips were warm and love and spring were new
I'm not afraid of autumn and her sorrow
The fire will dwindle into glowing ashes
For flames live such a little while
I won't forget but I won't be lonely
I'll remember April and smile
The lyrics to Oscar Peterson/Milt Jackson's song I Remember Clifford convey a sense of nostalgia and a bittersweet farewell. The first stanza portrays a beautiful day that gradually turns into the evening, where the two lovers must say goodbye to all that they have shared throughout the spring months, as if time has run its course. In the second stanza, the singer remembers the warmth of the beginning of their relationship, which may be over now, but it was a time of love and promise. The third and final stanza expresses that the flames of love may have dwindled into glowing ashes, but the singer remains content, for they will still look back to the memories of April and the love once shared with the other person, and with a smile.
Overall, the lyrics are gentle, but profound. They convey an acceptance of the inevitable changes of life, while remaining undaunted by them. The song is a thoughtful reflection that imparts a sense of importance on the memories of love and the chance to look back on them with fondness.
Line by Line Meaning
This lovely day will lengthen into evening
Time passes, and the current moment will become part of the past.
We'll sigh goodbye to all we ever had
We'll let go of the memories and experiences we've shared.
Alone where we have walked together
Being in the same place without someone who was always there can feel lonely.
I'll remember April and be glad
Despite the sadness of parting ways, there is joy in remembering the good times.
I'll be content you loved me once in April
Even if the love is no longer present, the memory of it can bring contentment.
Your lips were warm and love and spring were new
The memory of a past love can bring back vivid sensory experiences.
I'm not afraid of autumn and her sorrow
The passing of time and the sadness it can bring doesn't intimidate the singer.
For I'll remember April and you
Remembering the past love and experiences with someone can bring comfort in the present.
The fire will dwindle into glowing ashes
The intense feelings of love and passion will fade over time.
For flames live such a little while
Love and passion are intense but not long-lasting.
I won't forget but I won't be lonely
The singer won't forget the past love, but doesn't let it stop them from moving forward.
I'll remember April and smile
Thinking about the past love will bring happiness rather than sadness.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DON RAYE, GENE DE PAUL, PATRICIA JOHNSTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind