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.
Younger Than Springtime
Oscar Peterson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Softer than starlight are you
Warmer than winds of June
Are the gentle lips you gave me
Gayer than laughter are you
Sweeter than music are you
Sunlight and moon beans
Are you to give me
And when your youth and joy
Invade my soul
And fill my heart
As now they do, then
Younger than springtime am I
Gayer than laughter am I
Sunlight and moon beans
Heaven and earth
Am I with you
The lyrics to Oscar Peterson Trio's song "Younger Than Springtime" are a testament to the power of love and the euphoria it brings. The opening line suggests that the subject of the song, the one being addressed, is young and exuberant as the season of spring. This metaphor functions to create an image of youthfulness, growth, and vibrancy. The next line compares the subject to starlight, highlighting the idea of brightness and warmth. The lyrics go ahead to describe the gentle nature of the subject, and how they have given the singer gentle lips.
The second stanza of the song continues with comparisons to the subject, this time highlighting their liveliness and sweetness. The chorus is where the true heart of the song lies. The singer says, "And when your youth and joy invade my soul/ And fill my heart as now they do, then/ Younger than springtime, am I/ Gayer than laughter, am I/ Sunlight and moonbeams, heaven, and earth/ Am I with you." These lyrics show the transformative nature of love and the effect it has on the singer. The singer is transported to a state of bliss that transcends normalcy, and everything else fades into the background.
Line by Line Meaning
Younger than springtime are you
You are so young and full of life, like the energetic and beautiful season of springtime
Softer than starlight are you
You are gentle and luminous, like the soft and twinkling light of stars in the night sky
Warmer than winds of June
You are loving and affectionate, like the warm and delightful breezes of the month of June
Are the gentle lips you gave me
Your tender kisses are as soft and gentle as the other things you embody
Gayer than laughter are you
You are happier than the sound of laughter, truly joyous and exuberant
Sweeter than music are you
You are delightful beyond words, like the sweetest melodies and harmonies of music
Sunlight and moon beams
You are radiant and luminous, with the dazzling brilliance of the sun and the soft glow of the moon's beams
Heaven and earth
You are all-encompassing, one that encompasses everything above and below, like heaven and earth.
Are you to give me
You offer me all of these things, representing the depths of your love and devotion.
And when your youth and joy
When your vitality and happiness
Invade my soul
Overwhelm and fill my innermost being
And fill my heart
And overflow into my heart
As now they do, then
As it is happening right now
Younger than springtime am I
I too feel young and alive, much like the beauty and freshness of the season of spring.
Gayer than laughter am I
I am filled with joy that surpasses even the sound of laughter.
Sunlight and moon beams
I am radiant and luminous, metaphorically expressing the intensity of my positive emotions
Heaven and earth
I am one with all of existence, reflecting the deep emotional connection I feel towards the subject of the song.
Am I with you
All of these intense feelings and emotions are attributed to being with you.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: RICHARD RODGERS HAMMERSTEIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind