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.
People
Oscar Peterson Lyrics
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People who need people,
Are the luckiest people in the world
We're children, needing other children
And yet letting a grown-up pride
Hide all the need inside
Acting more like children than children
Lovers are very special people
With one person one very special person
A feeling deep in your soul
Says you were half now you're whole
No more hunger and thirst
But first be a person who needs people
People who need people
Are the luckiest people in the world
With one person one very special person
A feeling deep in your soul
Says you were half now you're whole
No more hunger and thirst
But first be a person who needs people
People who need people
Are the luckiest people in the world
The lyrics to Oscar Peterson's song "People" speak about the importance of human connections and relationships. The opening lines state that people who need people are the luckiest in the world. This is because we are all children at heart, needing and depending on others for support and love. However, as adults, we often let our pride and ego get in the way and hide our need for others. In relationships, it's the deep connection with one person that fulfills the hunger and thirst of the soul.
The song emphasizes the importance of being a person who needs people and also being there for others. It is in these moments when we can experience the true joy and fulfillment of life. The lyrics describe the lover as a very special person and the luckiest in the world. This is because they have found someone with whom they can share a deep soul connection.
Overall, the message of the song is to cherish human relationships and to recognize our need for them. True fulfillment and happiness come when we open ourselves up to others and let them in.
Line by Line Meaning
People,
Human beings,
People who need people,
Those individuals who require the company and support of others,
Are the luckiest people in the world
These people are fortunate to have the assistance of others in their lives.
We're children, needing other children
As humans, we all require the presence and care of others, like children do.
And yet letting a grown-up pride
However, adult pride can make it difficult to acknowledge and express this need.
Hide all the need inside
This can result in any personal requirements being pushed down and left unaddressed.
Acting more like children than children
Ironically, this avoidance can cause more immature behaviour in adults than in actual children.
Lovers are very special people
Romantic partners are particularly significant individuals in our lives,
They're the luckiest people in the world
They are extremely fortunate to have each other.
With one person one very special person
Having a single, beloved partner
A feeling deep in your soul
Results in a sense of completeness that begins in the very depths of oneself.
Says you were half now you're whole
This feeling is so profound that one may believe they were incomplete without their partner
No more hunger and thirst
This sense of inner completeness eliminates all existential desire and want.
But first be a person who needs people
However, before finding that romance, it is important to acknowledge one's basic human need for companionship.
People who need people
The demonstration that one is capable of asking for and relying on others
Are the luckiest people in the world
Can make one among the most fortunate individuals on the planet.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bob Merrill, Jule Styne
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind