Read Full Bio ↴Oscar Peterson (1925-2007) was a Canadian jazz pianist and composer.
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.
In a Mellow Tone
Oscar Peterson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Feeling fancy free
And I'm not alone
I've got company
Everything's OK
The live long day
With this mellow song
In a mellow tone
That's the way to live
If you mope and groan
Something's gotta give
Just go your way
And laugh and play
There's joy unknown
In a mellow tone
In a mellow tone
In a mellow tone
Feeling fancy free
And I'm not alone
I've got company
Everything's OK
The live long day
With this mellow song
I can't go wrong
In a mellow tone
That's the way to live
If you mope and groan
Something's gotta give
Just go your way
And laugh and play
There's joy unknown
In a mellow tone
In a mellow tone
In a mellow tone
The song In a Mellow Tone by Oscar Peterson is a prime example of the mellow and bluesy style of jazz that was popular in the 1950s and 1960s. The lyrics suggest a carefree and relaxed lifestyle, and the music complements this with its smooth, laid-back tempo and gentle instrumentation.
The opening line "In a mellow tone, feeling fancy free, And I'm not alone, I've got company" sets the tone for the whole song. It describes a feeling of contentment and a sense of belonging, as if the singer is surrounded by friends and companions who share their relaxed and easygoing outlook on life. The second verse expands on this theme, suggesting that a mellow and carefree approach to life is the key to happiness and fulfillment. The lyrics encourage the listener to "just go your way, and laugh and play" and to enjoy the simple pleasures of life.
The whole song is underscored by the theme that life is best approached in a relaxed and unhurried way, and that happiness can be found in the most unexpected places. The catchy tune and soothing vocals make In A Mellow Tone an enjoyable listen, and the lyrics remain relevant to this day as a reminder to take life a little less seriously and to appreciate the good times.
Line by Line Meaning
In a mellow tone
Living life with ease and calmness
Feeling fancy free
Feeling carefree and lighthearted
And I'm not alone
Enjoying the company of someone else
Everything's OK
All is well in life
The live long day
Throughout the entirety of the day
With this mellow song
Through the power of this peaceful melody
I can't go wrong
Things will turn out just fine
That's the way to live
This is the ideal way to exist
If you mope and groan
If you are sad and complain
Something's gotta give
You need to make a change
Just go your way
Follow your own path
And laugh and play
Find enjoyment and have fun
There's joy unknown
There is a happiness that you have not yet discovered
In a mellow tone
Through living calmly and peacefully
In a mellow tone
Through living calmly and peacefully
In a mellow tone
Through living calmly and peacefully
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing
Written by: DUKE ELLINGTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind