Harry Connick, Jr. was born in New Orleans to Anita and Harry Connick, Sr. His mother was Jewish and his father was Irish Catholic. Connick's musical talent was evident from a young age and he studied at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts under Ellis Marsalis and James Booker. He went on to attend Hunter College and the Manhattan School of Music in New York City, where he was signed by Columbia Records.
In 1989, Connick provided the soundtrack for the romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally..., winning his first Grammy for Best Jazz Male Vocal Performance. He also made his screen debut in Memphis Belle and released two albums: Lofty's Roach Souffle and We Are in Love, which earned him his second consecutive Grammy. In 1991, he was nominated for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for his contribution to the Godfather III soundtrack and released his third consecutive multi-platinum album, Blue Light, Red Light.
In 1992, Connick was arrested for having a gun at JFK International Airport but avoided charges by making a public-service television commercial. He continued to release successful albums, including 25 and When My Heart Finds Christmas, which was the best-selling Christmas album of 1993.
Harry Connick Jr. started his career as a jazz pianist and singer. In 1994, he released an album of New Orleans funk called She and took it on a tour of the United Kingdom and People's Republic of China. In 1996, he appeared in the successful movie Independence Day. By 1997, he returned to jazz music with his album To See You and played at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo. He continued his film career, starred in Hope Floats and released his album Come By Me in 1999. Connick wrote the score for the Broadway musical Thou Shalt Not, in 2000, and starred in South Pacific and his twelfth movie Mickey. He won a Grammy Award for his album Songs I Heard, released two albums in 2001, and appeared on NBC sitcom Will & Grace from 2002 to 2006. He continued releasing albums, appeared in films such as Basic, and won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Direction for Harry Connick Jr. — "Only You" in Concert. In 2005, he composed and produced The Happy Elf, an animated holiday special.
[edit] Personal life
On April 16, 1994, Connick, Jr. married model Jill Goodacre, originally from Texas, at the St. Louis Cathedral, New Orleans, Louisiana. They have three daughters: Georgia Tatom (born April 17, 1996), Sarah Kate (September 12, 1997), and Charlotte (born June 26, 2002). The family currently resides in Connecticut.
He is a founder of the Krewe of Orpheus, a music-based New Orleans krewe, taking its name from Orpheus of classical mythology. The Krewe of Orpheus parades on St. Charles Avenue and Canal Street in New Orleans on Lundi Gras (Fat Monday) — the day before Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday).
Silent Night
Harry Connick Jr. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
Silent night, holy night
Glories beams from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing hallelujah
Christ the savior is born
Christ the savior is born
The lyrics of Harry Connick Jr.'s song "Silent Night" are a beautiful and poignant tribute to the birth of Jesus Christ. The first verse begins with the soothing and calming lines "Silent night, holy night. All is calm, all is bright." This sets the scene of a serene and peaceful winter evening where everything seems to be quiet and tranquil. The next line is "Round yon virgin mother and child," highlighting the presence of Mary and her infant son, Jesus. The lyrics continue to describe the sweetness and innocence of the newborn as the "Holy infant so tender and mild" sleeps soundly. The final line of the verse is a prayer for the child to "sleep in heavenly peace."
The second verse takes a different approach and adds a touch of drama to the lyrics. While the first verse was peaceful and calming, the second verse speaks of the shepherds who were frightened by the sight of angels announcing the birth of Jesus. The lines "Shepherds quake at the sight. Glories beams from heaven afar. Heavenly hosts sing hallelujah," paint a picture of the powerful and overwhelming presence of God. The final two lines "Christ the savior is born. Christ the savior is born," confirm the miraculous event and remind us of the true meaning of Christmas.
Overall, Harry Connick Jr.'s rendition of "Silent Night" weaves together beautiful and timeless lyrics that capture the awe-inspiring story of the birth of Jesus Christ.
Line by Line Meaning
Silent night, holy night
A peaceful and pure night, blessed by divinity.
All is calm, all is bright
Tranquility and clarity reign supreme.
Round yon virgin mother and child
Nearby is a chaste mother and her newborn baby.
Holy infant so tender and mild
An innocent and gentle child with divine grace.
Sleep in heavenly peace
Rest in the tranquility of heaven's embrace.
Silent night, holy night
Once more, a peaceful and pure night blessed by divinity.
Shepherds quake at the sight
The trembling of ordinary people witnessing a miraculous event.
Glories beams from heaven afar
Radiant light from a celestial source illuminating the darkness.
Heavenly hosts sing hallelujah
Angelic beings praise and celebrate this sacred moment.
Christ the savior is born
The arrival of the messiah who will offer salvation to humanity.
Christ the savior is born
Once again, acknowledging the birth of the savior who will offer salvation to humanity.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: AUGUSTO CESAR DE OLI TEIXEIRA, FRANK GRUBER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind