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.
Medley: I Loves You Porgy & Anything Goes
Oscar Peterson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And we've ofter rewound the clock
Since the puritans got a shock
When they landed on Plymouth rock
If today any shock they might try to stem
'Stead of landing of Plymouth rock
Plymouth rock would land on them
Was looked on as something shocking
But now God knows
Anything goes
Good authors to
Who once knew better words
Now only use four letter words
Writing prose
Anything goes
If driving fast cars you like
If low bars you like
If old hymns you like
If bare limbs you like
If Mae West you like
Or me undressed you like
Why nobody will oppose
When every night
The set thats smart
Is intruding on nudist parties
In studios
Anything goes
When Mrs. Ned McClean God bless her
Can get Russian reds to yes her
Than I suppose
Anything goes
When Rockafeller still can hoard
Enough money to let Max Gordon
Produce his shows
Anything goes
The world has gone mad today
And good's bad today
And black's white today
And days night today
And that gent today
You gave a cent today
Once owned several chateaux
When folks
Who still can ride in Jitney's
Find out Vanderbilts and Whitney's
Lack baby clo'es
Anything goes
When Sam Goldwyn
Can with great conviction
Instruct Anna Sten in diction
Than Anna shows
Anything goes
When you hear that
Lady Mendl standing up
Now turns a handspring landing up
On her toes
Anything goes
Just think of those shocks you've got
And those knocks you've got
And those blues you've got
From those news you've got
And those pains you've got
(if any brains you've got)
From those little radios
So Mrs. R.
With all her trimmin's
Can broadcast a bed from Simmon's
Cause Franklin knows
Anything goes
The lyrics of "I Loves You Porgy" by Oscar Peterson / Itzhak Perlman / Ray Brown / Herb Ellia / Grady Tate talk about how times have changed and how what was once considered shocking or unacceptable is now accepted in society. They start by referencing the arrival of the puritans at Plymouth Rock and how if they returned today, they would be met with a shock due to how much society has changed. The lyrics then go on to discuss how in the past, glimpses of stockings were shocking, but now anything goes. They mention how even good authors now use four-letter words and how driving fast cars, low bars, and bare limbs are all acceptable in today's world. The lyrics suggest that the world has gone mad, and what was once considered good is now bad, and vice versa.
The song talks about how society has become more accepting of different lifestyles and behaviors, with everything from nudist parties to owning chateaus being more common. The lyrics mention a variety of people, from Mrs. Ned McClean to Sam Goldwyn, to show that anyone can partake in these behaviors. They also mention Franklin, likely referring to Franklin Roosevelt, who was the President of the United States during the time this song was written.
Overall, "I Loves You Porgy" is a critique of society and how it has changed over time. The lyrics suggest that anything goes and that people are more accepting now than they ever were in the past.
Line by Line Meaning
Times have changed
The world has evolved and is not the same as before.
And we've ofter rewound the clock
We often look back at history.
Since the puritans got a shock
Since the puritans were surprised by their new surroundings.
When they landed on Plymouth rock
When they first arrived in America.
If today any shock they might try to stem
If a similar shock were to happen today.
'Stead of landing of Plymouth rock
Instead of being surprised by a new land.
Plymouth rock would land on them
They would be the source of the shock.
In olden days a glimpse of stocking
In the past, a small bit of clothing was seen as scandalous.
Was looked on as something shocking
It caused shock and surprise.
But now God knows
But now, anything goes.
Good authors to
Quality writers who once had much better writing skills.
Who once knew better words
Who used to use a wide variety of advanced vocabulary.
Now only use four letter words
Now only employ cursing or taboo language in their writing.
Writing prose
Composing pieces of writing.
Anything goes
Anything is now acceptable.
If driving fast cars you like
If you enjoy driving fast cars.
If low bars you like
If you enjoy going to less high-class bars.
If old hymns you like
If you like old religious music.
If bare limbs you like
If you appreciate looking at exposed skin.
If Mae West you like
If you like this particular actress.
Or me undressed you like
Or if you enjoy seeing me naked.
Why nobody will oppose
Nobody will stand in your way if this is what you desire.
When every night
Whenever each night.
The set thats smart
The intelligent and fashionable crowd.
Is intruding on nudist parties
Is attending gatherings of people who do not wear clothing.
In studios
In the film industry.
Anything goes
All behavior is acceptable.
When Mrs. Ned McClean God bless her
When this particular person is able to accomplish something.
Can get Russian reds to yes her
Can convince Communist Russians to agree with her.
Than I suppose
Then I believe anything can happen, good or bad.
Anything goes
All behavior is acceptable.
When Rockafeller still can hoard
When this historically rich and powerful family is still wealthier than most.
Enough money to let Max Gordon
Enough financial resources to fund theatrical productions.
Produce his shows
To support theatrical events.
Anything goes
All behavior is acceptable.
The world has gone mad today
The world has become crazy and out of control.
And good's bad today
What used to be considered good is now considered bad.
And black's white today
Things are not what they seem and their identities have been reversed.
And days night today
Things are completely opposite from what they used to be.
And that gent today
And people who used to be wealthy are now poor.
You gave a cent today
Even people who used to give money generously are now poor.
Once owned several chateaux
Once had many large and expensive homes.
When folks
When regular people.
Who still can ride in Jitney's
Who can still afford to travel in a jitney, a type of cheap transportation.
Find out Vanderbilts and Whitney's
Discover that even wealthy and powerful families like the Vanderbilts and Whitneys are now experiencing hardship.
Lack baby clo'es
Do not have enough clothing for their children.
Anything goes
All behavior is acceptable.
When Sam Goldwyn
When a particular Hollywood executive.
Can with great conviction
Can convincingly speak or act.
Instruct Anna Sten in diction
Teach Anna Sten how to speak properly.
Than Anna shows
Then Anna demonstrates her newfound skills.
Anything goes
All behavior is acceptable.
When you hear that
When you discover that.
Lady Mendl standing up
This particular person, Lady Mendl, standing on her feet.
Now turns a handspring landing up
Now does a gymnastics move, landing on her feet.
On her toes
On her feet, in a standing position.
Anything goes
All behavior is acceptable.
Just think of those shocks you've got
Think of the unexpected things you have seen or experienced.
And those knocks you've got
Think of the unexpected hits or difficulties you have encountered.
And those blues you've got
Think of the sadness or depression you have felt.
From those news you've got
From the news and information you have received.
And those pains you've got
From the physical pain you have experienced.
(if any brains you've got)
(if you have a mind to observe).
From those little radios
From the small electronic devices that convey information and music.
So Mrs. R.
This particular woman, Mrs. R.
With all her trimmin's
Dressed up in all her fashionable clothing and accessories.
Can broadcast a bed from Simmon's
Can advertise beds from the company called Simmon's.
Cause Franklin knows
Because Franklin Roosevelt, the president at this time, allows it.
Anything goes
All behavior is acceptable.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cole Porter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind