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.
The Continental
Oscar Peterson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dangerous rhythm
It's something daring, the Continental
A way of dancing that's really ultra-new
It's very subtle, the Continental
Because it does what you want it to do
An invitation to moonlight and romance
It's quite the fashion, the Continental
Because you tell of your love while you dance
You kiss while you're dancing
It's continental, oh, it's continental
You sing while you're dancing
Your voice is gentle and so sentimental
You'll know before the dance is through
That you're in love with her and she's in love with you
You'll find while you're dancin'
That there's a rhythm in your heart and soul
A certain rhythm that you can't control
And you will do the Continental all the time
You'll find while you're dancin'
That there's a rhythm in your heart and soul
A certain rhythm that you can't control
And you will do the Continental all the time
Beautiful music
Dangerous rhythm
The Continental
The opening lines of Oscar Peterson's "The Continental" are intriguing and set the tone for the rest of the song. "Beautiful music, dangerous rhythm" suggests that this is a song about the power of music and dancing to be both seductive and thrilling. The song describes a new way of dancing, the Continental, which is both subtle and passionate. The lyrics suggest that the Continental is a dance that allows you to do what you want and express your feelings through movement. The invitation to moonlight and romance is a common theme in many love songs, but the lyrics of "The Continental" take it further by suggesting that the dance itself is a way of communicating one's love for another.
The use of the word "ultra-new" is interesting, as it suggests that this song was written at a time when new dances were emerging and people were looking for ways to express themselves through movement. The lyrics describe the Continental as a way of telling someone you love them while you dance, a way of kissing and singing as you move together to the rhythm. The final lines of the song suggest that the Continental is not just a dance but a way of life, a rhythm that you can't control and that will stay with you always.
Overall, "The Continental" is a love song that uses music and dance to express its themes. The Continental itself is a metaphor for love and the power of movement to express deep emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
Beautiful music
The music for the Continental is so pleasant to listen to and sets the perfect mood.
Dangerous rhythm
The rhythm for the Continental is slick and daring.
It's something daring, the Continental
The Continental is a bold, new form of dance.
A way of dancing that's really ultra-new
The Continental is a cutting-edge form of dance.
It's very subtle, the Continental
The Continental is a dance that is not showy, but rather understated.
Because it does what you want it to do
The Continental allows you to move how you feel and express yourself as you want.
It has a passion, the Continental
The Continental is a dance filled with ardor and romanticism.
An invitation to moonlight and romance
The Continental is perfect for a moonlit night and for passionate, romantic relationships.
It's quite the fashion, the Continental
The Continental is a trendsetting dance.
Because you tell of your love while you dance
The Continental is a dance that is the perfect way to express your feelings of love.
You kiss while you're dancing
The Continental dance is so intimate that kissing is a natural part of it.
It's continental, oh, it's continental
The Continental is a dance style that is recognized around the world.
You sing while you're dancing
The Continental dance is so expressive that many people can't help singing while they dance.
Your voice is gentle and so sentimental
The music and mood of the Continental dance inspires soft, romantic, and sentimental vocals.
You'll know before the dance is through
By the end of the Continental dance, you will realize that you and your partner love each other.
That you're in love with her and she's in love with you
The Continental dance has a way of bringing people together and cultivating deep feelings of love.
And you will do the Continental all the time
Once you experience the wonder of the Continental dance, you will want to keep doing it over and over again.
And you will do the Continental all the time
The Continental dance is so compelling and moving that you will crave doing it regularly.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CON CONRAD, HERBERT MAGIDSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
avant1277
Amazing version, loved this in The Gay Divorcée with Fred and Ginger. Peterson's recording here is so delicate and wonderful.