Petersen achieved fame in the 1960s, at an early age, by playing Donna Reed's son, Jeff Stone, on The Donna Reed Show. In the early 1980s, he also had a recurring role as a police officer on Matt Houston, and in the late 1990s, he played the author Paul Conway in the film Mother's Day.
Petersen started out in show business at the age of ten when he became a "Mouseketeer" on the Mickey Mouse Club. He was fired within two weeks for disorderly conduct. He was later quoted as saying, "I didn't know a kid actor shouldn't act like a kid." However, he achieved stardom as a teenage heartthrob on The Donna Reed Show, an ABC family sitcom that ran from 1958 to 1966. He played son Jeff Stone from the time he was twelve until he was twenty. In addition, he learned a great deal from Reed while he was growing up on the television set. Above all, he realized that Donna was his favorite actress to date in his business. Petersen sang his sentimental hit song My Dad to costar Carl Betz, who portrayed Dr. Alex Stone, in a 1962 episode of the series. His other costars were Shelley Fabares and his sister Patty Petersen as well as Bob Crane.
He went on to act in many guest-roles, including one as a military officer in the short-lived 1967 ABC western series Custer, with Wayne Maunder in the title role. As the years passed, the television appearances grew increasingly infrequent. Petersen said that too many casting directors do not permit bubblegum stars to grow into adult actors.
Petersen's fame brought recording offers and although his singing voice was limited, he had hit record singles with songs "She Can't Find Her Keys", "Amy", and "Lollipops and Roses", as well as "My Dad" that made #6 on the Billboard Hot 100. He also recorded during the 1960s for Motown, including the singles "Chained" (later a hit for Marvin Gaye) and "A Little Bit For Sandy."
Difficult times followed his disappearance from the Hollywood spotlight. As a result, Petersen returned to the university and obtained a degree in literature that helped him to write sixteen adventure novels.
Petersen's authorship began after he met David Oliphant, a New York publisher visiting Los Angeles. His first novel concerned car racing. Thereafter, he created a Matt Helm-type hero, Eric Saveman, also known as "The Smuggler." In one year, Pocket Books published eight of his Smuggler novels, earning Petersen $75,000.
In 1977 Petersen's autobiography, Walt, Mickey and Me: Confessions of the First Ex-Mouseketeer, was published.
Petersen has been married 3 times: In 1967, Peterson married actress Brenda Benet; the couple divorced in 1970. In 1974, Petersen married Hallie Littman; they had two children, then were divorced in 1988. Petersen married Rana Jo Platz in 1992.
In 1990, he founded the child-actor support group called A Minor Consideration to improve working conditions for child actors and to assist in the transition between working as a child actor and adult life, whether in acting or in other professions.
He is currently the board member of the Donna Reed Foundation, and works for the Donna Reed Festival, which takes place on the third week of June, every year, in his mentor's hometown of Denison, Iowa.
Amy
Paul Petersen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And though that may be true
Amy, oh Amy
I'm still in love with you
You think that you're too old for me
But what's a year or two?
Amy, oh Amy
I'll make you forget that I'm younger than you
If you just let me try
I know you can be oh so happy with me
You don't need an older guy
So come to me and take my hand
The way I dreamed you'd do
Amy, oh Amy
I'm so in love with you
Amy, oh Amy
Amy, oh Amy
Oh Amy
The song "Amy" by Paul Petersen is a love song about a young man who is in love with an older woman named Amy. In the first verse, he acknowledges that he is younger than her but insists that his love for her is still real. He is passionate about her and wants her to know that even though he is just a kid, he wants to be with her.
In the second verse, he addresses her concerns about their age difference. He believes that a year or two doesn't make a significant difference in the grand scheme of things, and he wants her to know that he can make her happy even though he is younger than her. He believes that age is just a number, and what matters most is the love they share.
The song's chorus repeats the name "Amy" several times, highlighting the importance of her presence in the singer's life. He ends by asking her to take his hand and come to him because he is so in love with her. The song is a sweet and innocent portrayal of a young man's love for an older woman and his desire to be with her.
Line by Line Meaning
You tell me that I'm just a kid
You point out my age and imply I'm not mature enough for you.
And though that may be true
Although you're right about my youthfulness.
Amy, oh Amy
Addressing the person they're singing to, focusing on her.
I'm still in love with you
Their feelings for her haven't changed despite the age difference.
You think that you're too old for me
You believe there's an excessive age contrast between us.
But what's a year or two?
Is a couple of years in age really such a big deal?
Amy, oh Amy
Again calling out to the person they're singing to.
I'm so in love with you
Emphasizing how strong their affection is for her despite potential societal expectations.
I'll make you forget that I'm younger than you
I will ensure our dynamic isn't governed by our age difference.
If you just let me try
But it's up to you to give me a chance.
I know you can be oh so happy with me
Certain they could provide her with joy and love.
You don't need an older guy
Arguing that being younger doesn't make them inferior to someone older.
So come to me and take my hand
Encouraging her to explore a relationship with them even though it would challenge social norms.
The way I dreamed you'd do
Referencing how they have previously fantasized about her.
Amy, oh Amy
Focusing on her again with their words.
I'm so in love with you
Reiterating the depth of their emotion for her one last time.
Amy, oh Amy
Repeating her name to conclude the song.
Contributed by Austin A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Elliot Goldberg
This track perfectly represents how easy it was for the Beatles to carve up and virtually take over this dreary musical landscape in 63.
Michael Franklin
Sincerity? is the kindest thing in the world ( short of mythological beasts that we adore). Must say, your music says as much. Don't stop. These good things that we love will be fulfilled. Thank you for a song for no particular reason. It made me feel good. GBY.
Swingman 56
Yes,it is a nice tune. It's unfortunate though, that Petersen sounds like he's on sedatives.
My My
Personally, I think his voice fits the songs story.