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.
Without a Song
Oscar Peterson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Without a song the road would never bend
When things go wrong a man ain't got a friend
Without a song
That field of corn would never see a plow
That field of corn would be deserted now
A man is born but he's no good no how
Without a song
And I'll get along as long as a song, strong in my soul
I'll never know what makes the rain to fall
I'll never know what makes that grass so tall
I only know there ain't no love at all
Without a song
I've-a got my trouble and woe and, sure as I know, the Jordan will roll
And I'll get along as long as a song, strong in my soul
I'll-a never know what makes that rain to fall
I'll never know what makes the grass so tall
I only know there ain't no love at all
Without a song
The song "Without a Song" by Oscar Peterson is a tribute to the power of music. The lyrics express that without a song, life would be bleak and unfulfilled. The first verse states that without a song, the day would never end and the road would never bend. This can be interpreted as without the beauty and joy that music brings, life would be monotonous and without any adventure. The second verse speaks to the human condition, stating that when things go wrong, a man has no friend. However, music is always there, providing comfort and solace during difficult times. The third verse is a powerful statement on the importance of music in our lives. The singer states that a man is born but he is no good no how without a song. This line speaks to the transformative power of music, how it has the ability to lift us out of our lowest moments and give us hope for the future.
The fourth verse reveals the singer's personal struggles, stating that he has trouble and woe but he knows that he will get along as long as there is a song strong in his soul. This line speaks to the healing power of music, how it helps us to cope with even the most difficult circumstances. The final two verses express the wonder and mystery of nature, stating that the singer will never know what makes the rain fall or the grass grow, but he does know that there is no love without a song. Through this poetic expression, the song shows that music is the universal language that binds us all.
Line by Line Meaning
Without a song the day would never end
Music has the power to uplift and fill our lives with joy, and without it, there is no way to mark the passage of time that each day brings
Without a song the road would never bend
The twists and turns of life's journey become a little easier to navigate with the help of a good tune to keep us moving forward
When things go wrong a man ain't got a friend
In times of trouble or darkness, it can be hard to find someone to support us. But with a song to lift our spirits, we are never truly alone
Without a song
The refrain of the song, emphasizing the central importance of music to our lives and emotional wellbeing
That field of corn would never see a plow
Music brings life and vitality to the world around us, and without it, even the greenest and most fertile fields would go untouched and neglected
That field of corn would be deserted now
Without the rhythms and melodies that music provides, the world would feel barren and empty, with nothing to fill the silence and bring people together
A man is born but he's no good no how
Without music to inspire and uplift him, even the most talented and gifted person would struggle to find their way and make meaning of their life
I got my trouble and woe but, sure as I know, the Jordan will roll
Life can be challenging and full of hardships, but even in the darkest moments, the promise of music and the joy it brings can sustain us and give us hope
And I'll get along as long as a song, strong in my soul
With music as a source of strength and support, we can weather any storm and keep moving forward, no matter what life throws our way
I'll never know what makes the rain to fall
The mysteries of the world can be intriguing and beautiful, but they are ultimately beyond our understanding. Music, however, is something we can grasp and appreciate, even as the world around us remains a mystery
I'll never know what makes that grass so tall
Just as we can never fully understand the workings of the natural world, we may never truly comprehend the power and beauty of music. But that does not make its value any less real
I only know there ain't no love at all without a song
Love is one of the most powerful forces in the world, and yet it is nothing without the support and sustenance that music provides. Without song, even love cannot flourish
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Edward Eliscu, Billy Rose, Vincent Youmans
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind