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.
Oh Lady Be Good
Oscar Peterson Lyrics
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It's terribly sad but true,
All dressed up, no place to go
Each evening I'm awfully blue.
I must win some handsome guy
Can't go on like this,
I could blossom out I know,
Oh, sweet and lovely lady, be good
Oh, lady, be good to me
I am so awfully misunderstood
So lady, be good to me
Oh, please have some pity
I'm all-alone in this big city
I tell you I'm just a lonesome babe in the wood,
So lady be good to me.
Oh, please have some pity
I'm all alone in this big city
I tell you I'm just a lonesome babe in the wood,
So lady be good to me.
Oh lady be good to me.
The lyrics of "Oh Lady Be Good" by Oscar Peterson depict a tale of a woman who is alone and desperately seeking love. She is constantly getting dressed up with nowhere to go, feeling blue every evening. She believes that if she meets a handsome guy, she could finally blossom and be happy. The woman is pleading with the lady to have some pity on her, saying that she is all alone in the big city and feeling like a lonesome babe in the woods. She begs the lady to be good to her and not misunderstand her.
The lyrics resonate with the feeling of loneliness that many people have experienced at some point in their lives. The woman is looking for love and companionship, but she feels like it is just out of reach. The plea for pity speaks to the vulnerability of the human condition and the need for compassion that we all share. The song is a reminder that sometimes all it takes is a kind word or gesture to lift someone out of their loneliness and into a happier state of mind.
Line by Line Meaning
Listen to my tale of woe,
Please have an ear for my sad story,
It's terribly sad but true,
What I'm about to share is very heartbreaking but also factual,
All dressed up, no place to go
Despite preparing myself, I have nowhere worthy to attend,
Each evening I'm awfully blue.
Every night I'm overwhelmed with sadness,
I must win some handsome guy
I need to attract and acquire a desirable male partner,
Can't go on like this,
My current situation is unbearable and unsustainable,
I could blossom out I know,
I have the potential to flourish and become more fulfilled,
With somebody just like you.
Only with someone of your caliber,
Oh, sweet and lovely lady, be good
Dear kind lady, please act compassionately towards me,
Oh, lady, be good to me
Please treat me with kindness and decency,
I am so awfully misunderstood
Others truly don't comprehend my situation and emotions,
So lady, be good to me
Again, I request your graciousness and understanding,
Oh, please have some pity
I beg for your mercy and compassion,
I'm all alone in this big city
I'm left feeling lonely and vulnerable in this vast metropolis,
I tell you I'm just a lonesome babe in the wood,
I'm just a helpless and desolate soul trying to navigate difficult circumstances,
So lady be good to me.
I hope you can fulfill my plea for kindness and empathy,
Oh lady be good to me.
Once more, I request your beneficence and generosity.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind