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 Old Black Magic
Oscar Peterson Lyrics
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Old black magic that you weave so well
Those icy fingers up and down my spine
The same old witch craft when your eyes meet mine
Same old tingle that I feel inside
Then the elevator starts it ride
Down and down I go
Like a leaf caught in a tide
I should stay away but what can I do
I hear your name and I'm a flame
Flame, flame of desire
Only your kiss can put out the fire
Oh you're the lover I have waiting for
Your the mate that fate had me created for
And every time your lips meet mine
Down and down I go
Round and round I go
In a spin, lovin' the spin I'm in
Under the old black magic called love
In a spin lovin' the spin I'm in
Under the old black magic called love
In a spin lovin' the spin I'm in
Under the old black magic called love
I should stay away but what can I do
I hear your name and I'm a flame
Flame, flame of desire
Only your kiss can put out the fire
Oh you are the lover I have waited for
Your the mate that fate had me created for
And every time your lips meet mine
Down and down I go
Round and round I go
In a spin, lovin' the spin I'm in
Under the old black magic called love
The song "That Old Black Magic" is a classic tune originally composed by Harold Arlen with lyrics written by Johnny Mercer. The Oscar Peterson Trio version of the song features a jazzy and upbeat rhythm that complements the romantic lyrics. The song describes the overwhelming feeling of falling in love, where the sensation is compared to being under the spell of an old black magic.
The lyrics depict the mesmerizing effect of being in the presence of the loved one, with the reference to the "icy fingers up and down my spine," indicating the physical sensation that arises from the emotional excitement of love. The song describes the feelings of being caught up in a whirlwind of emotions and the inability to resist the force of love, despite the rational understanding that it might not be the best decision. The music complements the intensity of the moment, with the repetition of the phrases "down and down I go, round and round I go," and the mention of being caught in a tide and being in a spin. The lyrics of the song exemplify the transformative and overpowering force of love, conveying the message that the singer is willingly succumbing to the old black magic of love.
Line by Line Meaning
Old black magic has me in its spell
I am under the enchantment of a mysterious force that I cannot resist.
Old black magic that you weave so well
It is you who expertly casts this spell over me with your charms and presence.
Those icy fingers up and down my spine
The sensation of your touch sends chills throughout my body.
The same old witchcraft when your eyes meet mine
Our gaze locks and a powerful magic is unleashed between us that never fades.
Same old tingle that I feel inside
The same intense, irresistible feeling courses through me every time I am with you.
Then the elevator starts its ride
The intensity of our passion starts to rise and we embark on a journey together.
Down and down I go
I am falling deeper and deeper into this magical love affair.
Round and round I go
My emotions circle around and around, never ceasing to spin.
Like a leaf caught in a tide
I am helpless and at the mercy of this strong force, guided by its current.
I should stay away but what can I do
I know I should resist this spell, but I am powerless against it.
I hear your name and I'm a flame
Just hearing your name ignites a fiery passion in me that I cannot ignore.
Flame, flame of desire
My desire for you is an intense and burning flame.
Only your kiss can put out the fire
Only your touch can cool the flames of my passion for you.
Oh you're the lover I have waiting for
I have been searching for a lover like you for so long, and now I have found you.
You're the mate that fate had me created for
It is fate that has brought us together, and we are destined to be together forever.
In a spin, lovin' the spin I'm in
My head is spinning with love for you, and I couldn't be happier to be caught in this whirlwind of emotions.
Under the old black magic called love
All of these feelings that I am experiencing are a natural part of the mysterious and alluring force of love.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind