Read Full Bio ↴Oscar Peterson (1925-2007) was a Canadian jazz pianist and composer.
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.
Stormy Weather
Oscar Peterson Lyrics
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Stormy weather
Since my man and I ain't together,
Keeps rainin' all the time
Life is bare, gloom and mis'ry everywhere
Stormy weather
Just can't get my poorself together,
So weary all the time
When he went away the blues walked in and met me.
If he stays away old rockin' chair will get me.
All I do is pray the Lord above will let me walk in the sun once more.
Can't go on, ev'ry thing I had is gone
Stormy weather
Since my man and I ain't together,
Keeps rainin' all the time
The lyrics of "Stormy Weather" convey heartbreak and despair in the face of losing a loved one. The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the song, as the singer mourns the absence of sunshine and the constant rain that seems to mirror her emotional state. The reference to "my man" indicates that the singer is likely a woman, and her separation from her partner has left her feeling hopeless and overwhelmed.
The second verse reveals an even deeper level of sadness, as the singer describes a bleak and empty existence filled with misery and loneliness. She can't seem to shake off her depression and feels weighed down by the weight of her emotions. The line "When he went away the blues walked in and met me" is particularly poignant as it suggests that the sadness she experiences is not just a result of losing her partner, but a deeper sense of despair that has been with her all along.
The chorus reinforces the feeling of hopelessness and desperation, as the singer pleads with the Lord to bring back the sunshine and relieve her suffering. The final lines of the song bring everything full circle, as the cycle of rainy, stormy weather mirrors the singer's ongoing struggle to cope without her partner. Overall, "Stormy Weather" is a powerful expression of heartbreak and loss that has resonated with audiences for decades.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't know why there's no sun up in the sky
I can't understand why it's so dark and gloomy outside.
Stormy weather
The current weather conditions are rainy and turbulent.
Since my man and I ain't together,
Ever since my significant other left me,
Keeps rainin' all the time
It feels like it's constantly pouring down on me.
Life is bare, gloom and mis'ry everywhere
My life is empty and everywhere I turn is sadness and despair.
Just can't get my poorself together,
I'm unable to collect my thoughts and emotions.
I'm weary all the time
I constantly feel exhausted and drained.
So weary all the time
I'm overwhelmed and fatigued.
When he went away the blues walked in and met me.
The moment he left, sadness and depression took over.
If he stays away old rockin' chair will get me.
If he doesn't come back, I'll be stuck sitting alone in my misery.
All I do is pray the Lord above will let me walk in the sun once more.
I hope and pray that I'll find happiness and joy again someday.
Can't go on, ev'ry thing I had is gone
I can't bear to continue living without him, everything I had is lost.
Stormy weather
The turbulent weather symbolizes the turmoil I'm experiencing in my life.
Since my man and I ain't together,
The root cause of my distress is the absence of my loved one.
Keeps rainin' all the time
The constant rain represents the never-ending sadness and pain I'm feeling.
Lyrics © S.A. MUSIC, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: IAN STEPHEN MCCULLOCH, WILLIAM SERGEANT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind