I Should Care
Peterson Lyrics


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Should I reveal exactly how I feel?
Should I confess I love you?
Should I recite beneath the pale moonlight?
And swear by the stars above you?

Could I repeat the sweetest story told?
Could I entreat, would it be too bold?
Should I reveal 'xactly how I feel?
Should I confess I love you?

Could I repeat that sweetest story told?
Could I entreat, would it be too bold?

Should I reveal 'xactly how I feel?
Should I confess I love you?




And swear by stars above you?
Should I confess I love you?

Overall Meaning

In "I Should Care," Oscar Peterson croons over the familiar dilemma of unrequited love. He opens the song formulating his thoughts aloud; should he confess his feelings to his love interest or keep pretending? Throughout the song, Peterson oscillates between contemplation and passionate pleas as he weighs the pros and cons of indulging his desire. In the chorus, Peterson wonders if he should repeat "the sweetest story told," begging the question of what that story is, conjuring up images of a past shared between Peterson and the subject of his love. At times, Peterson seems almost unsure, asking whether he would be too bold or entreat too much. The song ends as it began, with Peterson wondering whether he should confess his love, unsure of how his love interest will react.


Line by Line Meaning

Should I reveal exactly how I feel?
Is it appropriate for me to disclose my true emotions?


Should I confess I love you?
Is it appropriate for me to admit my feelings of love for you?


Should I recite beneath the pale moonlight?
Is it appropriate for me to recite a declaration of affection under the moon's light?


And swear by the stars above you?
And should I make a pledge of loyalty to you, invoking the stars as witness?


Could I repeat the sweetest story told?
Would it be acceptable for me to reiterate the most delightful tale ever heard?


Could I entreat, would it be too bold?
Could I humbly implore you, or would it be seen as impudent?


Should I reveal 'xactly how I feel?
Is it appropriate for me to disclose my true emotions?


Should I confess I love you?
Is it appropriate for me to admit my feelings of love for you?


Could I repeat that sweetest story told?
Would it be acceptable for me to reiterate the most delightful tale ever heard?


Could I entreat, would it be too bold?
Could I humbly implore you, or would it be seen as impudent?


Should I reveal 'xactly how I feel?
Is it appropriate for me to disclose my true emotions?


Should I confess I love you?
Is it appropriate for me to admit my feelings of love for you?


And swear by stars above you?
And should I make a pledge of loyalty to you, invoking the stars as witness?




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: NACIO BROWN, NACIO HERB BROWN, ARTHUR FREED

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

C. Contrafactum

He's amazing, but more is not always better, specially with this tune in my opinion. I absolutely love two of Monk's versions of this song. Touches the heart much deeper.

Richard Wallace

Thanks, Jozef! I love it! Been listening to Oscar for 49 years, my first jazz piano player, and one of my top three: Oscar, Bill, Art.

Nita The Google Giggler.

I should care and I do about the one and only Oscar Peterson. He was the man. Greatest Ever. R.I.P. Never forgotten.😇

JazzPianoObsessed

The Poor piano looks terrified... lol... love this tune, i really love the way oscar can put a 'stride' feel on anying giving it such great tempo... has anyone else noticed that it's hard to find many of the great pianists doing this tune? on youtube anyway, I have an album with Benny Green doing a lovely solo version

Johnny Hayes

Nobody plays it like Monk, he tells a story.

Joao-Geraldo Damasceno

Formidable!!!

Trevor Cole

the BOSS HIMSELF

37BopCity 2017

Oscar is always technically fantastic but I prefer the Bud Powell and Bill Evans versions, which are much more focused and restrained.

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