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.
Remember
Oscar Peterson Lyrics
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One little smile, and after a while, a longing to forget
One little heartache left as a token
One little plaything carelessly broken
Remember the night
The night you said, "I love you"
Remember?
Remember you vowed
By all the stars above you
Remember?
Remember we found a lonely spot
And after I learned to care a lot
You promised that you'd forget me not
But you forgot
To remember
The lyrics to Oscar Peterson's song "Remember" tell a bittersweet story of a relationship that starts with a promising moment of affection but ends in regret and forgotten promises. The first verse describes how a single kiss and a fleeting smile lead to hours of deep regret and a longing to forget. The second verse continues the narrative by emphasizing the heartache left behind as a token, representing the brokenness of a once cherished connection.
The chorus then takes us back to the beginning, urging the listener to remember the night when the words "I love you" were spoken. It emphasizes the significance of that moment and how it should not be forgotten. The second half of the chorus adds another layer as it recalls the promises made under the stars, emphasizing the depth of commitment that was expressed. However, the final line "But you forgot to remember" reveals the disillusionment and disappointment that arises when those promises are not fulfilled.
Overall, the lyrics of "Remember" capture the complex emotions that can arise from a failed relationship. It explores the contrast between initial happiness and subsequent regret, as well as the fragility of promises made in the heat of the moment. The song highlights themes of loss, nostalgia, and the impermanence of love, making it a poignant reflection on the human experience of heartbreak.
Line by Line Meaning
One little kiss, a moment of bliss, then hours of deep regret
A small act of affection, a fleeting feeling of joy, quickly followed by prolonged sorrow and remorse
One little smile, and after a while, a longing to forget
A gentle expression of happiness, later replaced by a strong desire to erase all memories
One little heartache left as a token
A small pain in the heart, remaining as a reminder or symbol
One little plaything carelessly broken
A trivial object of affection, treated thoughtlessly and consequently shattered
Remember the night
The night you said, 'I love you'
Remember?
Recall the specific evening on which you professed your love for me; can you recall?
Remember you vowed
By all the stars above you
Remember?
Recall the promise you made, swearing by the celestial bodies above; can you recall?
Remember we found a lonely spot
And after I learned to care a lot
Recall the secluded place we discovered, where my feelings for you grew immensely
You promised that you'd forget me not
But you forgot
To remember
You assured me that you wouldn't neglect or abandon our bond, yet you failed to adhere to your promise, failing to recall our time together
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Irving Berlin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind