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.
Always
Harry James Lyrics
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Watching clouds drifting by
My schemes are just like all my dreams
Ending in the sky
Some fellows look and find the sunshine
I always look and find the rain
Some fellows make a winning sometimes
I never even make a gain
Waiting to find a little bluebird in vain
I'm always chasing rainbows
Watching clouds drifting by
My schemes are just like all my dreams
Ending in the sky
Some fellows look and find the sunshine
I always look and find the rain
Some fellows make a winning sometimes
I never even make a gain
Believe me, I'm always chasing rainbows
The lyrics to Harry James and His Orchestra's "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows" are an expression of the singer's feeling of futility and disappointment. Using the metaphor of chasing rainbows, the singer expresses a sense of constantly pursuing an unattainable goal or dream. Despite his continued efforts, he never seems to achieve anything, always falling short of his goals. The imagery of clouds drifting by and schemes ending in the sky only reinforces the sense of transience and ephemeralness that is inherent in the rainbow metaphor.
The singer contrasts his experience with that of others who are able to find sunshine and sometimes make a winning. His use of the word "some fellows" implies a feeling of isolation and separation from those who are able to achieve their goals, and there is a hint of jealousy and bitterness in his tone. His final admission that he is waiting to find a little bluebird in vain is a poignant expression of a desire for something that he knows is unlikely to happen, but which he can't help but hope for anyway.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm always chasing rainbows
I am constantly pursuing something that is unattainable and unrealistic.
Watching clouds drifting by
I am lost in my own thoughts and fantasies.
My schemes are just like all my dreams
My plans are as far-fetched and improbable as my wishes.
Ending in the sky
All my aspirations lead to disappointment and frustration.
Some fellows look and find the sunshine
There are people who are able to find happiness and success in their lives.
I always look and find the rain
Unfortunately, I always find myself facing hardship and adversity.
Some fellows make a winning sometimes
There are people who can achieve victory and fulfillment sometimes.
I never even make a gain
Sadly, I can never seem to make any progress or achieve any success.
Believe me, I'm always chasing rainbows
Trust me when I say that I am constantly pursuing something that is either unattainable or unrealistic.
Waiting to find a little bluebird in vain
I am waiting for something that is not going to happen, a futile search for a silver lining in my life.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HARRY CARROLL, JOSEPH JOE MC CARTHY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jan Procházka
on All or Nothing at All
trumpet boogie