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.
Wave
Oscar Peterson Lyrics
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The temperature's rising, it isn't surprising
She certainly can can-can
She started a heatwave by letting her seat wave
In such a way that the customers say
That she certainly can can-can
Gee,gee! Her anatomy makes the mercury rise to 93
That thermometer proves that she certainly can
(What's your name honey? Pablo), certainly can
(Chico, Miguelito, Pablo, Chico, Miguelito) oh, can-can
Pablo, it's saying here in the weather report
It's saying a fairly warm air is moving in from (Where?) Jamaica
Moderately high air pressure will cover the NE and (where else?)
The Deep South, Small danger of (what?) Fruit frost!
Hot and humid nights can be expected
Vincent 95, Guadeloupe 97, Santo Domingo 99, Pardon me? 105?
We're having a heatwave, a tropical heatwave
The temperature's rising, it isn't surprising
I certainly can can-can
I started this heatwave in such a way
That the customers say that I certainly can can-can
The man who need makes the mercury rise to 93
We're having a heatwave, a tropical, a tropical heatwave
The way that I move, that thermometer grooves
She certainly certainly certainly can
I certainly, certainly, certainly can can-can
The lyrics of "Wave" by Oscar Peterson and Claus Ogerman's Orchestra are an ode to the tropical heatwave, specifically celebrating the irresistible allure of a woman who can do the can-can. The song opens with the refrain "Oh! We're having a heatwave, a tropical heatwave," a phrase that is repeated throughout the song. The singer describes how the woman's movements are making the mercury rise, proving that "she certainly can can-can." The second half of the song includes a weather report that highlights the severity of the heatwave, with temperatures reaching as high as 105 degrees.
The upbeat tempo and playful lyrics of "Wave" make it a classic example of the bossa nova genre, which originated in Brazil in the 1950s and 60s. The song is notable for its complex and sophisticated musical arrangement, featuring lush strings, brass, and percussion. The use of the Rhodes piano, a hallmark of Peterson's style, adds a jazzy touch to the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh! We're having a heatwave, a tropical heatwave
The weather is very hot and humid.
The temperature's rising, it isn't surprising
It's not surprising that the temperature is increasing.
She certainly can can-can
She can dance the can-can very well.
She started a heatwave by letting her seat wave
Her dancing caused the heatwave due to her body movements.
In such a way that the customers say
People who saw her dance were impressed by her movements.
That she certainly can can-can
She is very good at dancing the can-can.
Gee,gee! Her anatomy makes the mercury rise to 93
Her body temperature is very high.
Having a heatwave, a tropical heatwave, the way that she moves
The hot weather is due to her body movements.
That thermometer proves that she certainly can
The thermometer confirms that the heat is caused by her movements.
(What's your name honey? Pablo), certainly can
Pablo is capable of dancing the can-can very well.
(Chico, Miguelito, Pablo, Chico, Miguelito) oh, can-can
The names of other people who can dance the can-can are being mentioned.
Pablo, it's saying here in the weather report
There is a weather report mentioning Pablo's name.
It's saying a fairly warm air is moving in from (Where?) Jamaica
Jamaica is the source of the hot, humid air.
Moderately high air pressure will cover the NE and (where else?)
High air pressure will be present in the NE and another location.
The Deep South, Small danger of (what?) Fruit frost!
There is a small risk of frost affecting fruits in the Deep South.
Hot and humid nights can be expected
The nights will be hot and humid.
Vincent 95, Guadeloupe 97, Santo Domingo 99, Pardon me? 105?
These are the temperatures in different places, the last one having caught the artist's attention.
I started this heatwave in such a way
The singer caused the heatwave through their movements.
That the customers say that I certainly can can-can
The audience was impressed by the singer's ability to dance the can-can.
The man who need makes the mercury rise to 93
The artist is the one who caused the temperature to rise.
We're having a heatwave, a tropical, a tropical heatwave
The weather is very hot and humid.
The way that I move, that thermometer grooves
The thermometer confirms that the artist's movements are causing the hot weather.
She certainly certainly certainly can
She is very talented at dancing the can-can.
I certainly, certainly, certainly can can-can
The artist is also very good at dancing the can-can.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: IRVING BERLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind