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).
When My Heart Finds Christmas
Harry Connick Jr. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And Easter eggs and new year's wine
But when my heart finds christmas
My eyes will shine like new
All the days are kind to me
But fall too far behind to see
When my heart finds christmas
Let the angels sing around us
Christmas time is here
Let our children's love surround us
Laughing and filled with cheer
My heart told me once before
To find my dream and search no more
And when my heart finds Christmas
I hope it finds you too
Let the angels sing around us
Christmas time is here
Let our children's love surround us
Laughing and filled with cheer
My heart told me once before
To find my dream and search no more
And when my heart finds Christmas
When my heart finds Christmas
When my heart finds Christmas
I hope it finds you too
The lyrics to Harry Connick Jr.'s song "When My Heart Finds Christmas" are about the power of Christmas to transform and uplift our spirits. The opening lines create a vivid picture of the various holidays throughout the year that come and go, but despite their celebrations, they are not enough to truly make our hearts truly happy. However, when Christmas finally arrives, it has the power to renew our spirit and overflow our heart with joy. The lyrics express the hope that when their heart finds Christmas, it will be able to find the person they love too.
The following stanza speaks about experiencing the joy of Christmas in the company of loved ones. The angels are invoked to sing around and elevate the festive atmosphere, and the children's love and laughter helps to fill everyone with cheer. Finally, the last stanza is about letting go of the need to search for happiness elsewhere, and to trust that our heart knows where to find true joy - in the experience of Christmas and in the company of those we love.
Line by Line Meaning
In my eyes are valentines
My eyes see beauty in the world, symbols of love like valentines.
And Easter eggs, and new year's wine
My heart is full of joy, captured in the innocence of Easter eggs and the celebration of new beginnings represented by new year's wine.
But when my heart finds Christmas
Despite the moments of beauty I've experienced, it's only when I fully embrace the spirit of Christmas that I feel joy like never before.
My eyes will shine like new
Just thinking about the possibilities of Christmas brings light to my life and my eyes radiate with the newness of love.
All the days are kind to me
Every day, no matter what, the world is good, filled with beautiful moments and experiences.
But fall too far behind to see
Yet, in the business of my life, I sometimes miss those moments of kindness that are happening all around me.
I hope it finds you too
During this wonderful period of the year, when the world converges around the theme of love and hope, I hope you also can feel the presence of that love in your life.
Let the angels sing around us
May we be surrounded by the beautiful voices of angels and their message of hope and peace.
Christmas time is here
It's upon us now, the season of joy that brings us all together, united for a brief moment in our humanity.
Let our children's love surround us
May the pure, innocent love of children fill us all with warmth and joy.
Laughing and filled with cheer
Let our laughter be contagious and fill the air with the sounds of happiness and cheer.
My heart told me once before
Deep within, my heart has always known the true meaning of the holiday, the love and hope it represents.
To find my dream and search no more
I don't need to look any further for the joy and peace I seek; I've found it in the spirit of Christmas.
I hope it finds you too
And once again, I hope you too can feel the magic of this season, the love and light it brings to our lives.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Harry Jr Connick
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Anja Schweertman
Why dont I hear this song on the radio?! For years one off my favorite!
tricityladytn
Most underplayed, underrated, undercovered Christmas song ever.
Larry Fleetwood
Maybe because this music video is actually damn creepy... :-o
Lionel Thomas
One of the most beautiful Christmas songs ever made.
Johnny Mac
I heard this beautiful song today for the first time and it struck a chord deep inside me. I will be playing it many times even when it is not Christmas. Thank you, Harry.
Christian Scott Thomas
He...his eyes...that voice...This Song...gets me each and every time...
gayjay34
I cannot believe I never hear this beautiful song in anybody's playlists on the radio or in Christmas charts of best songs ??? This should be in the top 5 and radios should be playing it more
Paula B
beautiful isn't it? my favourite christmas tune <3
Leslie Mcquaid
@Paula B i cannot believe it isn't played more
Paula B
@Leslie Mcquaid i know! it is stunning, but most of my favourite songs are never played commercially!