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.
We'll Be Together Again
Oscar Peterson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Remember the sun has shone
Laugh, and the world will laugh with you
Cry, and you'll cry alone
No tears, no fears
Remember, there's always tomorrow
So what if we have to part
Your kiss, your smile
Are memories I'll treasure forever
So try thinking with your heart
We'll be together again
Times when I know you'll be lonesome
Times when I know you'll be sad
Don't let temptation surround you
Don't let the blues make you bad
Some day, some way
We both have a lifetime before us
For parting is not goodbye
We'll be together again
In Oscar Peterson's song "We'll Be Together Again," the lyrics express the hopeful sentiment that no matter what trials and tribulations come our way, things will get better and we will find happiness once again. The opening lines, "Here in a moment of darkness, Remember the sun has shone," are a reminder to stay positive and look to the past for hope in the present. The second line, "Laugh, and the world will laugh with you, Cry, and you'll cry alone," is a warning that we must keep our spirits up in order to attract positivity into our lives.
The second half of the song offers even more encouragement by declaring that tomorrow is always a new day and we should never give up hope. The lyrics read, "No tears, no fears, Remember there's always tomorrow, So what if we have to part, We'll be together again." The sentiment is one of faith in the future and a belief that even though we may be separated from our loved ones, we will be reunited in time. The song's message is clear: no matter what, we must never give up on ourselves or on those who bring us happiness.
Overall, "We'll Be Together Again" is a heartwarming song that inspires hope in the hopeless and encourages us all to look forward to a brighter future.
Line by Line Meaning
Here in a moment of darkness
In times of despair
Remember the sun has shone
Recall brighter moments & hope
Laugh, and the world will laugh with you
Share happiness with others
Cry, and you'll cry alone
Don't pity yourself, face problems
No tears, no fears
Stay resolute & brave
Remember, there's always tomorrow
Believe in hope for the future
So what if we have to part
Don't fear separation
We'll be together again
Reunite in time eventually
Your kiss, your smile
Memories to cherish
Are memories I'll treasure forever
Priceless moments to be remembered
So try thinking with your heart
Make decisions based on emotions
Times when I know you'll be lonesome
Anticipating future sadness
Times when I know you'll be sad
Expecting periods of melancholy
Don't let temptation surround you
Avoid seduction or compromise
Don't let the blues make you bad
Don't succumb to negative feelings
Some day, some way
Eventually
We both have a lifetime before us
Opportunities & future possibilities
For parting is not goodbye
Positive outlook despite separation
We'll be together again
Reunite in time eventually
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: CARL FISCHER, FRANKIE LAINE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lincoln Ross
Lucky me was playing 3rd trombone in Basie's band on this gig ... I was in the wings mezmorized by Oscar Peterson every night of the tour ...I was 24 (an average player) and like a said a very lucky fellow to be there :O)
Richard Redmond
WOW!!!!!!!!
Josh Weigel
legend
Purple Bonnie
Wow Lincoln Ross! How cool is that, playing with Basie and Peterson. My life's dream!!!
Vicrum
Incredible incredible memories! You were very lucky 😁😁
Moe Giguere
Congrats to you. Must be a great memory.
Jozef Psotka
A perfect show of two legends, but the bass player is not Count Basie (who was a great American jazz pianist) but a great Danish double bass player Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen
Andreas Delleske
Definitely a peak moment in human culture. How many more will we have?
That piano has definitely fulfilled its purpose.
Robert Newman
Like a spring shower - all comes alive and is blooming in moments. To end as suddenly as it began. This audience in Prague were listening to something very, very special - and they knew it. There are simple ideas in these 37 minutes or so of such depth - melodic and rythmic - which are virtually the definition of music as a social experience. From loud city type music to spiritual longing - from brash youthful outbursts to displays of real expertise and creativity.
eddyvideostar
This is classic jazz at its finest with Oscar being the royalty of the art.