Harry James was born in Albany, Georgia, the son of a bandleader of a traveling circus. By age 10 he was taking trumpet lessons from his father. His father had him on a very strict practicing schedule every day. He was given one page to learn out of the Arban's book (a trumpet drill book) every day and could not do anything until he learned that page.
In 1931 the family settled in Beaumont, Texas and James began playing with local dance bands. James joined the nationally popular Ben Pollack in 1935. At the start of 1937 he left Pollack to join Benny Goodman's orchestra, where he stayed through 1938.
In February of 1939 Harry James debuted his own big band in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He continued touring with the band into the 1980s. His was the first "name band" to employ vocalist Frank Sinatra, in 1939. In 1943 he married actress Betty Grable.
His first wife was ex B.Goodman singer.,Louise Tobin.
You can hear his trumpet playing in the 1950 film Young Man with a Horn, dubbing Kirk Douglas. His recording of "I'm Beginning to See the Light" appears in the motion picture My Dog Skip (2000). James recorded many popular records and appeared in many Hollywood movies.
In 1983, James was diagnosed with lymphatic cancer, but he continued to work, playing his last professional job on 26 June 1983 in Los Angeles just nine days before his death in Las Vegas, Nevada.
A Sleepy Lagoon
Harry James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A sleepy lagoon and two hearts in tune in some lullaby land
The fireflies' gleam reflects in the stream
They sparkle and shimmer
A star from on high falls out of the sky
And slowly grows dimmer
The leaves from the trees all dance in the breeze
And float on the ripples
Of roses and dew
The memory of this moment of love
Will haunt me forever
A tropical moon, a sleepy lagoon
And you
The lyrics of Harry James & His Orchestra's song "Sleepy Lagoon" paint an idyllic picture of two people escaping the world and finding solace on a secluded island. The song is steeped in romanticism, with the 'sleepy lagoon' being a metaphor for a place of peace and tranquility where they can lose themselves in each other. The opening lines set the mood and setting of the song, with the mention of a tropical moon, a serene lagoon, and two people alone on an island.
As the song progresses, the imagery becomes more vivid, with the fireflies' gleam reflecting in the stream, the leaves dancing in the breeze, and the nightingales singing of roses and dew. All of these sensory details add to the dreamy quality of the song, creating a sense of paradise lost, where the only thing that matters is the love between the two people.
The last line, "A tropical moon, a sleepy lagoon, and you," sums up the entire sentiment of the song. The singer is in love with this person and cherishes this moment where they can escape into their own world, and he knows that the memory of this moment will stay with him forever.
Overall, "Sleepy Lagoon" is a beautiful and sentimental song that perfectly captures the essence of young love and the desire to shut out the world and just be with someone.
Line by Line Meaning
A sleepy lagoon, a tropical moon and two on an island
A peaceful, calm body of water, accompanied by a bright moon and a couple alone on a small land mass
A sleepy lagoon and two hearts in tune in some lullaby land
The lagoon, soothing and relaxing, pairs well with the couple’s harmonious love, creating a dreamlike environment
The fireflies' gleam reflects in the stream
They sparkle and shimmer
The bugs illuminate the water, causing the reflections to glimmer and shine
A star from on high falls out of the sky
And slowly grows dimmer
A star descends from the sky, then disappears into the twilight
The leaves from the trees all dance in the breeze
And float on the ripples
The leaves move lightly in the wind, then glide on the ripples created by the water
We're deep in a spell as nightingales tell
Of roses and dew
Enchanted by their surroundings, birds chirp in the background while they divulge tales of nature
The memory of this moment of love
Will haunt me forever
This moment of love will be forever engraved in their minds and souls, never to be forgotten
A tropical moon, a sleepy lagoon
And you
The serene ocean, along with the company of a loved one, creates an unforgettable, tranquil state of mind
Lyrics © CARLIN AMERICA INC
Written by: ERIC COATES, JACK LAWRENCE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@garyk.nedrow8302
A big band's primary economic function in the 1940s was to play music for dancing, and "Sleepy Lagoon" served that purpose admirably. Today, we listen to big band music, but in 1942, you took your favorite girl in your arms and waltzed or two-stepped around the floor in a little romantic world all your own to melodies like this one. And for a few minutes, you could forget about the recent attack on Pearl Harbor, the growing war in Europe, and the fact that you or some of your buddies weren't going to be around to dance with a pretty girl at war's end. In 1942, things looked very grim indeed, and songs like this helped all of us remain optimistic and hope for a brighter future.
@waitholdonlemmechangemyprofile
Any stories about your life?
@gutbucket279
I have always LOVED Harry's playing. I was in Las Vegas when his funeral took place.. I wanted to go, but I was a little too drunk. R.I.P., Harry, my friend. John.
@scotnick59
Met him briefly (to sign an album) at Delta College in Stockton, CA just before his death: it was a thrilling evening!
@user-vc9mw3ui3s
Hello, Kirk! I think Harry is a little under-rated today. His playing always thrilled me! I was friends with Harry's baritone sax-player, Ernie Small and gained a lot of insight into the man. I would love to play trumpet like Harry! Sincerely, John F. Phillips@@scotnick59
@bach1958
This is the version I listened to in the late 40,s.and I think the best.
@sitcom1971
I agree very nice music.
@scotnick59
My Aunt DeeDee was a true-blue fan of James as a young person (born in 1927). She later got to meet him at a party and she said she was "so nervous"; it was a fine evening.
@goldendreams3437
I love this song, absolutely perfect for slow dancing
@magneto7930
I love this! My dad had this 78 and we used to play it a lot.