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.
Love Me Or Leave Me
Oscar Peterson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You say come and lay by your side
If this is just another ride you're taking me on,
Then leave me alone
I'm not your part-time man
Love is more than now and then
I've enjoyed as much as this, as I can stand
Love me or leave me alone
Love me or, baby,
Believe me, I'm gone
This time I'm gonna be strong
Maybe once upon a time,
I was young and love was blind
I thought I had finally made up my mind
It's sad, but
Love me or leave me alone
Love me or leave me alone
Love me or, baby,
Believe me, I'm gone
Love me or leave me
Girl, don't deceive me
Love me or leave me alone
The lyrics to Oscar Peterson's song Somebody Loves Me are those of someone who has been hurt before and is hesitant to fall in love again. The person is being wooed by someone who is asking them to open up and let them in, yet the person is guarded because they don't want to invest their emotions into a relationship that is not serious. They express their desire for a committed relationship and do not want to be someone's part-time lover. They have reached their limit with short-lived flings and want something more substantial. If the person cannot provide them with a love that is long-lasting and authentic, they would rather be left alone.
This song is relatable and speaks to anyone who has been in a relationship that was not based on an equal partnership. The lyrics convey a desire for maturity, stability, and a genuine, lasting romantic love. The song sends the message that if it is not love that you are bringing to the table, then there is no point. This song speaks of loving oneself and placing value upon one's self-worth in a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
You hold your arms open wide
You act welcoming and inviting towards me.
You say come and lay by your side
You want me to be close to you physically and emotionally.
If this is just another ride you're taking me on,
If you are only playing with my feelings and not taking it seriously,
Then leave me alone
Then I don't want to be a part of it.
I'm not your part-time man
I am not someone you can just call upon whenever it suits you.
Love is more than now and then
Love is something that requires more than occasional attention.
I've enjoyed as much as this, as I can stand
I have had as much of this temporary pleasure as I can take.
So, love me or leave me alone
If you are not going to take our relationship seriously, then depart from it altogether.
Love me or leave me alone
Either put in effort and commit or walk away completely.
Love me or, baby,
Either love me genuinely, or don't bother at all.
Believe me, I'm gone
If you continue to lead me on and not show genuine affection, then I am leaving.
This time I'm gonna be strong
I am going to stand up for myself and not settle for anything less than real love.
Maybe once upon a time,
In the past,
I was young and love was blind
I was naive and didn't see the reality of the situation.
I thought I had finally made up my mind
I believed I had made a clear decision regarding our relationship.
It's sad, but
Unfortunately,
Love me or leave me alone
If you are not committed to showing genuine affection, then I'm not willing to continue this relationship.
Love me or leave me alone
Either love me honestly or walk away altogether.
Love me or, baby,
Either love and commit to me or don't waste my time.
Believe me, I'm gone
If you choose to not demonstrate authentic love, then I am leaving.
Love me or leave me
Make a clear decision, either love me or depart from my life.
Girl, don't deceive me
Don't mislead or manipulate me with your actions or words.
Love me or leave me alone
Be honest about your feelings and commitment to our relationship or exit from it altogether.
Lyrics © DONALDSON PUBLISHING CO, TOBAGO MUSIC COMPANY, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Gus Kahn, Walter Donaldson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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One of the greatest jazz albums ever.