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.
On Green Dolphin Street
Oscar Peterson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A man, a maid, a kiss, and then goodbye
Romance was the theme
And we were the players
I never think of this without a sigh
Lover, one lovely day
Love came, planning to stay
The setting for nights beyond forgetting
And through these moments apart memories live in my heart
When I recall the love I found on
I could kiss the ground on Green Dolphin Street
Lover, one lovely day
Love came, planning to stay
Green Dolphin Street supplied the setting
The setting for nights beyond forgetting
And through these moments apart memories live in my heart
When I recall the love I found on
On Green Dolphin Street
The lyrics in Oscar Peterson's song "On Green Dolphin Street" tell a story of a romantic encounter between a man and a woman on a street named Green Dolphin. The first verse establishes the setting and feeling of nostalgia. The singer states that it seems like a dream, but he knows that it really happened. He recalls a man and a maid, implying a romantic relationship, and then a goodbye. The second verse describes the theme of romance and how they both played a role in it. The singer reflects on these memories with a sigh, again emphasizing the bittersweet nostalgia.
The chorus of the song is a repetition of the idea that love came and stayed on Green Dolphin Street. The line "And through these moments apart memories live in my heart" is particularly poignant because it suggests that even though their time together is over, the memories are still with him. The final line, "When I recall the love I found on / On Green Dolphin Street," ties the whole song together and reinforces the importance of this place in the singer's personal history.
Overall, the lyrics in "On Green Dolphin Street" are about love, memories, and the power of a specific place to evoke those memories. The melancholic tone of the song, coupled with Oscar Peterson's smooth jazz piano playing, creates a wistful mood that perfectly captures the lyrics' nostalgia.
Line by Line Meaning
It seems like a dream, yet I know it happened
The memories of the past are so vivid that it feels like a dream, but it was a reality
A man, a maid, a kiss, and then goodbye
The encounter between two people was brief and ended with a kiss and goodbye
Romance was the theme
The atmosphere was filled with a romantic feeling
And we were the players
Both individuals were a part of this romantic story
I never think of this without a sigh
Whenever the memory resurfaces, there is always a feeling of longing and regret
Lover, one lovely day
Addressing the lover and recalling a beautiful day
Love came, planning to stay
The feeling of love arrived and intended to remain
Green Dolphin Street supplied the setting
The location was Green Dolphin Street, which set the backdrop for the events that took place
The setting for nights beyond forgetting
The memories of the nights spent there are unforgettable
And through these moments apart memories live in my heart
Even after being separated, the memories of those moments remain and have a lasting impact
When I recall the love I found on
Reflecting on the love that was found on Green Dolphin Street
I could kiss the ground on Green Dolphin Street
Expressing the deep feelings of gratitude and appreciation for the location where the love was discovered
On Green Dolphin Street
Repeating the location where the romantic experience took place
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Tratore, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: BRONISLAW KAPER, NED WASHINGTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind