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.
Moon Song
Oscar Peterson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Was like a melodious plea
Sweet moon song
That wasn't meant for me
Why is it always reminding me of
A love dream that never could be
Sweet moon song
It came gliding into my heart riding
on a moon beam from above
Sorrow ended and the whole world blended
In a rhapsody of love; then
I heard her singing to somebody else
What I thought was my melody
Sweet moon song
That wasn't meant for me
In Oscar Peterson's song "Moon Song," the lyrics tell the story of a chance encounter between the singer and someone they were immediately drawn to. The mention of a "melodious plea" suggests that there was an instant connection between the two, perhaps even a sense of fate bringing them together. However, as the song progresses, the lyrics become more melancholy. The "sweet moon song" that the singer refers to is a love that was not meant to be, and instead serves as a reminder of what could have been.
The imagery used to describe the moon and its impact on the singer's heart is particularly poignant. The moon is often a symbol of romance and mystery, and in this song it feels almost like a character in and of itself. The idea that the moon brought a "rhapsody of love" suggests that the singer experienced a fleeting moment of intense emotion, only to have it taken away with the realization that the object of their affection was not singing their song after all.
The closing line of the song, "sweet moon song that wasn't meant for me," feels like a final acceptance of the fact that some things in life are simply not meant to be. Despite the disappointment of this realization, there is a sense of beauty and wonder in the way that the moon continues to inspire and captivate us, even when our dreams don't come true.
Line by Line Meaning
It came from nowhere the night that we met
The encounter was unexpected and sudden
Was like a melodious plea
It was like a beautiful and emotional request
Sweet moon song
Metaphor for a symbol of romantic love
That wasn't meant for me
The love was not mutual and did not last
Why is it always reminding me of
The song keeps evoking past memories
A love dream that never could be
The romantic fantasy was unattainable
It came gliding into my heart riding
The love arrived smoothly and effortlessly
on a moon beam from above
Metaphor for the magical and dreamy quality of love
Sorrow ended and the whole world blended
The love brought happiness and unity
In a rhapsody of love; then
The love was intense and emotionally overpowering
I heard her singing to somebody else
The love interest was not loyal and chose someone else
What I thought was my melody
The shared romantic experience was not actually mutual
That wasn't meant for me
The love was one-sided and ultimately unfulfilling
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: SAM COSLOW, ARTHUR JOHNSTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mark Whitty
This album has been a huge help to me in my career of over 50 years. I think Louis made a beautiful partnership on this album'. What a wonder ful jazz experience!
Mark Whitty of OZ
Joe The Jazz Man
WHY IS THIS SONG SO FUCKING GOOD?