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 the Still of the Night
Oscar Peterson Lyrics
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As I gaze out of my window
At the moon in it's flight
My thoughts all stray, stray to you
In the still of the night
While the world lies in slumber
Oh the times without number
Do you love me
Just like I love you
Are you my life to be
That dream come true
Or will this dream of mine
Will it fade way out of sight
Just like that moon growing dim
Way out on the rim of the hill
In the still of the night
The song "In the Still of the Night" by Oscar Peterson conveys a sense of longing and reflection as the singer gazes out of their window at the moon and ponders their feelings for another person. The stillness of the night creates an environment for introspective thoughts, allowing the singer to express their emotions towards their love interest. As the world sleeps, the singer’s thoughts continue to stray towards their love interest, questioning if their feelings are reciprocated.
The lyrics emphasize the singer’s desire to know if their love is returned, asking them if they love them “just like I love you,” if they are “my life to be,” or if their dream of love will fade away in the stillness of the night, like the moon on the rim of the hill grows dim. The moon becomes a symbol for the singer's own longing for love, representing potential for growth or disappointment.
Overall, the lyrics of "In the Still of the Night" express the universal feeling of uncertainty and vulnerability in love while also capturing the beauty and stillness of a quiet night.
Line by Line Meaning
In the still of the night
During the peaceful and quiet hours of the night
As I gaze out of my window
While looking out of the window
At the moon in its flight
Observing the moon as it moves across the sky
My thoughts all stray, stray to you
My mind wanders and focuses on you
In the still of the night
During the peaceful and quiet hours of the night
While the world lies in slumber
When the rest of the world is sleeping
Oh the times without number
The countless times that have passed
When I say to you
When I speak to you
Do you love me
Do you have feelings of love for me
Just like I love you
As strong as my feelings of love for you
Are you my life to be
Will you be the focus of my life and existence
That dream come true
The dream of being in a loving relationship with you
Or will this dream of mine
Or will my dream of being with you
Will it fade way out of sight
Gradually disappear and become unachievable
Just like that moon growing dim
Like how the moon becomes less bright
Way out on the rim of the hill
On the outskirts of town
In the still of the night
During the peaceful and quiet hours of the night
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: Hoagy Carmichael, Jo Trent
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind