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.
Stompin' At the Savoy
Oscar Peterson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Savoy, it wins you at a glance
Savoy, gives happy feet a chance to dance.
Your form, just like a clingin' vine
Your lips, as warm and sweet as wine
Your cheek, so soft and close to mine, divine.
While the band is swingin'
Never tired of rompin'
An' Stompin' with you at the Savoy
What joy, a perfect holiday
Savoy, where we can glide and sway
There let me stomp away with you
Savoy,
Savoy,
Savoy.
The lyrics of Oscar Peterson's song "Stompin' At the Savoy" exude a sense of joy and passion for dancing with a loved one at the Savoy Ballroom. The song opens by describing the Savoy as the "home of sweet romance," a place that immediately draws people in with its charm and beauty. The next line declares that it "wins you at a glance," reflecting how the ballroom is so visually striking that it captures people's attention and makes them want to be a part of the scene. The chorus explains how the Savoy gives "happy feet a chance to dance," encapsulating the essence of the vibrant dance culture that existed in the ballroom.
The second stanza starts by describing the person the singer is dancing with, using similes to compare them to a "clinging vine," "warm and sweet" wine, and being "soft and close" like divine cheeks. The romantic imagery portrays the connection between the dancers and their love for one another. The last two lines of the stanza describe the atmosphere of the ballroom, where "the band is swingin'" and "my heart is singin'," painting the picture of a lively, joyful, and musical environment. The final chorus emphasizes the joy and freedom felt when dancing with someone special at this magical place called the Savoy Ballroom.
Line by Line Meaning
Savoy, the home of sweet romance
Savoy is a place filled with love and romance
Savoy, it wins you at a glance
As soon as you see Savoy, you fall in love with it
Savoy, gives happy feet a chance to dance.
At Savoy, everyone is happy and has a chance to dance
Your form, just like a clingin' vine
Your body is delicate and soft, like a plant's vine
Your lips, as warm and sweet as wine
Your lips are tender and taste like sweet wine
Your cheek, so soft and close to mine, divine.
Your cheek is so warm and close to mine, it feels heavenly
How my heart is singin'
I feel so happy and alive
While the band is swingin'
Listening to the music from the band is amazing
Never tired of rompin'
I never get tired of dancing and having fun
An' Stompin' with you at the Savoy
I love dancing and having fun with you at Savoy
What joy, a perfect holiday
Being at Savoy is like having a perfect holiday
Savoy, where we can glide and sway
At Savoy, we can dance smoothly and elegantly
There let me stomp away with you
Let's keep dancing and enjoying ourselves at Savoy
Savoy,
Savoy is amazing
Savoy,
Savoy is extraordinary
Savoy.
Savoy is the place to be
Lyrics © REGENT MUSIC CORPORATION
Written by: ANDY RAZAF, BENNY GOODMAN, CHICK WEBB, EDGAR SAMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind