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.
What S New
Oscar Peterson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How is the world treating you?
You haven't changed a bit
Lovely as ever I must admit
Oh, what's new?
How did that romance come through?
We haven't met since then
What's new? Probably I'm boring you
But seeing you is grand
And you were sweet to offer your hand
I understand, adieu
Pardon my asking what's new
Of course you couldn't know
I haven't changed: I still love you so
Oh, what's new? Probably I'm boring you
But seeing you is grand
And you were sweet to offer your hand
Mama, I understand, adieu
Pardon my asking what's new
Of course you couldn't know
I haven't changed: I still love you so
The lyrics of Oscar Peterson's "What's New" express the joy and nostalgia of meeting an old lover or friend. In the first verse, the singer asks about the other person's well-being, noting that they haven't changed a bit and remain lovely. They then ask how the romance they shared turned out, expressing happiness at seeing the other person again.
The second verse begins with the singer acknowledging that they may be boring the other person but confesses that seeing them is still wonderful. The singer thanks the other person for offering their hand and bids them farewell with an "adieu." The final verse ends on a poignant note, as the singer apologizes for asking about what's new, aware that the other person could not know that they still love them just as much as they did when they last met.
Overall, "What's New" is a bittersweet tribute to a past relationship or acquaintance, filled with a longing for connection and understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
What's new?
What is the latest news or update that you have to share?
How is the world treating you?
What is your current state of well-being? Is everything going well for you or not?
You haven't changed a bit
You look exactly the same as I remember you, nothing seems to have changed.
Lovely as ever I must admit
You are still as beautiful and charming as you always were, and it's nice to see you in that state.
How did that romance come through?
Can you update me on your love life? Have you gotten into a relationship or not?
We haven't met since then
It has been a long time since we last met.
Gee, but it's nice to see you again
It feels great to see you again after such a long time.
Probably I'm boring you
I apologize if I'm not being interesting enough to carry on this conversation.
But seeing you is grand
Nevertheless, it feels really great to see you after all these days, weeks, months or years.
And you were sweet to offer your hand
You were kind enough to extend your hand to greet me or shake hands.
Mama, I understand, adieu
Okay, my dear friend, I get it. It's time for you to leave, so goodbye for now.
Pardon my asking what's new
I'm sorry if it sounds intrusive or inappropriate, but I'm curious to know the latest thing happening in your life.
Of course you couldn't know
You don't have to feel bad for not knowing the answer to my question.
I haven't changed: I still love you so
I'm still the same person who cares about you very much, and I love you as much as I ever did.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHNNY BURKE, BOB HAGGART
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lizah carnaúba
Excelent interpretation, with great sensibility.