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.
Who Cares
Oscar Peterson Lyrics
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To fall in the sea?
Who cares what banks fail in Yonkers,
Long as you've got a kiss that conquers?
Why should I care?
Life is one long jubilee,
So long as I care for you
The lyrics of Oscar Peterson/Joe Pass/Ray Brown's "Who Cares?" speaks about the trivialities of the world and how they do not matter as long as there is love. The singer wonders why it even matters if the sky falls in the sea or if the banks fail in Yonkers if there is a love that can conquer all. The singer then concludes that life is a jubilee and all that matters is the mutual care that they have for each other.
The lyrics beautifully convey the idea that love is the only thing that is truly important in the world. The idea that the world's problems cannot match the power of love is refreshing and comforting. The lyrics urge the listeners to focus on what they have and cherish it, rather than worrying about what they don't.
Line by Line Meaning
Who cares if the sky cares
To fall in the sea?
Why worry about the unpredictable future, and whether it may bring catastrophic events?
Who cares what banks fail in Yonkers,
Long as you've got a kiss that conquers?
What does it matter if economic and financial troubles arise in some distant city, when you have love to overcome all of that?
Why should I care?
What reason do I have to worry about anything?
Life is one long jubilee,
Life should be full of joy and celebration
So long as I care for you
And you care for me!
As long as we have a mutual love and concern for each other, nothing else matters in the grand scheme of things
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind