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.
Just Squeeze Me
Oscar Peterson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Want you to know it really is pleasin'
Want you to know I ain't for no teasin'
Treat me sweet and gentle when you say goodnight
Just squeeze me but please don't tease me
I get sentimental when you hold me tight
Just squeeze me but please don't tease me
Singing the blues away each day
Counting the rights and waiting for you
I'm in the mood to let you know
I never knew I loved you so
Please say you love me too
When I get this feelin' I'm in ecstasy
So squeeze me but please don't tease me
Treat me sweet and gentle when you say goodnight
Just squeeze me but please don't tease me
I get sentimental when you hold me tight
Just squeeze me but please don't tease me
Missing you since you went away
Singing the blues away each day
Counting the rights and waiting for you
I'm in the mood to let you know
I never knew I loved you so
Please say you love me too
When I get this feelin' I'm in ecstasy
So squeeze me but please don't tease me
The song "Just Squeeze Me" by Oscar Peterson is a romantic jazz ballad that expresses the desire for physical and emotional affection in a relationship. The lyrics are filled with double entendres and metaphors that convey how much the singer longs for the touch of their loved one. The repeated use of the words "squeeze" and "tease" creates a playful and flirtatious tone, allowing the song to be both romantic and lighthearted.
The first stanza of the song sets the tone, as the singer expresses their love for their partner's physical affection, telling them they "go for [their] squeezin'". The second stanza expresses the singer's vulnerability and desire for their partner's affection when they say goodnight, feeling sentimental and in need of their embrace. The third stanza conveys the depth of the singer's longing, as they count the days until they can be reunited with their loved one and plead for them to reciprocate their love.
The chorus of the song repeats the refrain "Just squeeze me but please don't tease me" multiple times, conveying the singer's desire for their partner's affection without any insincere or manipulative actions. The final verse completes the song's romantic message, with the singer declaring their ecstasy when their partner touches them, and once again begging for their love.
Overall, "Just Squeeze Me" is a classic jazz ballad that expresses the universal desire for love, affection, and physical connection. The clever use of metaphors and playful language make this song both romantic and charming.
Line by Line Meaning
Want you to know I go for your squeezin'
I want you to know that I enjoy your physical affection.
Want you to know it really is pleasin'
I want you to know that your physical affection brings me pleasure.
Want you to know I ain't for no teasin'
I want you to know that I am not interested in playful teasing.
Treat me sweet and gentle when you say goodnight
When we say goodnight to each other, I want you to treat me kindly and gently.
Just squeeze me but please don't tease me
I want you to physically embrace me, but not in a way that feels like you are joking or messing around.
I get sentimental when you hold me tight
When you physically embrace me tightly, it makes me feel emotional.
Missing you since you went away
I have been feeling lonely and pining for you since you left.
Singing the blues away each day
I have been trying to lift my mood by singing sad songs every day.
Counting the rights and waiting for you
I am replaying our happy memories and waiting for your return.
I'm in the mood to let you know
I am feeling expressive and want to communicate something to you.
I never knew I loved you so
I didn't realize how much I loved you until now.
Please say you love me too
I am hoping to hear back from you that you love me in return.
When I get this feelin' I'm in ecstasy
When I experience this emotion, I feel intense happiness.
So squeeze me but please don't tease me
I want you to hold me affectionately, but not in a way that feels insincere or mocking.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Duke Ellington
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind