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.
Surrey With the Fringe on Top
Oscar Peterson Lyrics
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When I take you out in the surrey
When I take you out in the surrey with the fringe on top
Watch the fringe and see how it flutters
I will ride those high-steppin' strutters
Nosy pokes will peek through their shutters
And their eyes will pop
The wheels are yeller the upholstery brown
The dash board's genuine leather
With in-sin glass curtains you can roll right down
In case there's a change in the weather
Two bright side lights winkin' and blinkin'
Ain't no fingering what I'm thinkin'
You'd be fingering if you're thinkin' that I'd care to swap
For the shiny little surrey with the fringe on top
The lyrics to the Oscar Peterson Trio's song, "The Surrey With the Fringe On Top" give an insight into the singer's intentions to take their significant other on a romantic ride in a fancy surrey with a fringe top. The lyrics not only paint an image of the surrey, but also evoke the reactions of the people that they will come across during their ride, with lines like "Nosy pokes will peek through their shutters and their eyes will pop", indicating that the surrey is quite impressive and likely draws attention wherever it goes. The lyrics also suggest that the singer is quite proud of the surrey, with lines like "Ain't no fingering what I'm thinking'...".
Overall, the song appears to be a playful and flirtatious invitation to a romantic date. Beyond the surface level, however, the song's lyrics also serve as a commentary on class and wealth in society. The surrey itself is described as being quite fancy, with yellow wheels, brown upholstery, and genuine leather on the dash board. Additionally, the in-sin glass curtains indicate that the ride would be sheltered from any potential weather changes. All of these elements suggest that the owner of the surrey has a significant amount of wealth and/or high status, as such elaborate and luxurious vehicles were typically reserved for the upper class.
Line by Line Meaning
Chicks and geese and ducks better scurry
The animals better run away quickly when I take you out on my fancy carriage.
When I take you out in the surrey
When I take you out on my fancy carriage.
When I take you out in the surrey with the fringe on top
When I take you out on my fancy carriage with decorative hanging material on its roof.
Watch the fringe and see how it flutters
Look at the decorative hanging material on the roof of the carriage and how it moves in the wind.
I will ride those high-steppin' strutters
I will drive the horses that pull the carriage with style and confidence.
Nosy pokes will peek through their shutters
Curious people will look through their windows to catch a glimpse of the fancy carriage passing by.
And their eyes will pop
Their eyes will widen with surprise at the sight of the fancy carriage.
The wheels are yeller the upholstery brown
The wheels of the carriage are yellow and the seats are covered in brown fabric.
The dash board's genuine leather
The dashboard of the carriage is made from real leather.
With in-sin glass curtains you can roll right down
There are glass windows you can lower if the weather changes.
In case there's a change in the weather
Just in case the weather changes.
Two bright side lights winkin' and blinkin'
There are two bright lights on the side of the carriage that flash on and off.
Ain't no fingering what I'm thinkin'
You can't guess what I'm thinking right now.
You'd be fingering if you're thinkin' that I'd care to swap
You'd be mistaken if you think I'd want to exchange my fancy carriage for something else.
For the shiny little surrey with the fringe on top
For any other carriage, even if it's shiny and new, but doesn't have the decorative hanging material on its roof.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II, RICHARD RODGERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind