Oscar Peterson (1925-2007) was a Canadian jazz pianist and composer.
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.

This Guy's In Love With You
Oscar Peterson Lyrics

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You see this girl, this girl's in love with you
Yes, I'm in love, who looks at you the way I do?
When you smile I can tell we know each other very well
How can I show you that I'm glad I got to know you?

Cause I've heard some talk, they say you think I'm fine
This girl's in love and what I'd do to make you mine?
Tell me now is it so? Don't let me be the last to know

My hands are shaking, don't let my heart keep breaking

Cause I need your love, I want your love
Say you're in love and you'll be my guy
If not I'll just die

Tell me now is it so? Don't let me be the last to know
My hands are shaking, don't let my heart keep breaking

Cause I need your love, I want your love

Say you're in love and you'll be my guy
If not I'll just die

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "This Guy's In Love With You" by Oscar Peterson/Claus Ogerman tell the story of a woman who is deeply in love with someone and expresses her feelings for this person. She glows every time she sees him, and when he smiles, she feels that they have known each other for ages. She acknowledges that rumors about her crush on him have been spreading, and she wants to know if they are true. She feels incredibly vulnerable and nervous, as she has grown to love him and longs to be with him. She pleads with him to confirm her suspicions and reciprocate her love, as she fears that she will die if he doesn't feel the same way.

The lyrics are beautifully written and evoke a sense of longing and passion, which is perfectly complemented by the music. The song is performed in a slow and romantic manner, making it ideal for couples to dance to at a wedding or a romantic event. The lyrics are relatable and give hope to anyone who is afraid to confess their feelings to their crush. The song encourages people to be brave and take a chance on love, even if it means being vulnerable.

Line by Line Meaning

You see this girl, this girl's in love with you
I'm in love with you and want you to know it

Yes, I'm in love, who looks at you the way I do?
I look at you with love and admiration, seeing you for who you truly are

When you smile I can tell we know each other very well
When you smile, I feel a connection and familiarity that comes only from knowing each other deeply

How can I show you that I'm glad I got to know you?
I want to express how grateful I am to have met you and how much joy you bring into my life

Cause I've heard some talk, they say you think I'm fine
I've heard rumors that you find me attractive and I want to know if it's true

This girl's in love and what I'd do to make you mine?
I'm deeply in love with you and willing to go to great lengths to win your affection

Tell me now is it so? Don't let me be the last to know
Please tell me if you feel the same way, don't leave me in the dark and let me be the last to find out

My hands are shaking, don't let my heart keep breaking
I'm nervous and anxious about your response, please don't break my heart

Cause I need your love, I want your love
I crave your love and affection, it's what I need and desire most

Say you're in love and you'll be my guy
If you love me too, then I hope you'll be my partner

If not I'll just die
If you don't love me back, then it will feel like the end of the world for me

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: BURT F. BACHARACH, HAL DAVID

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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