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.
Begin the Beguine
Harry James Lyrics
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It brings back the sound of music so tender
It brings back a night of tropical splendor
It brings back a memory ever green
I'm with you once more under the stars
And down by the shore an orchestra's playing
And even the palms seem to be swaying
To live it again is past all endeavor
Except when that tune clutches my heart
And there we are, swearing to love forever
And promising never, never to part
What moments divine, what rapture serene
Till clouds came along to disperse the joys we had tasted
And now when I hear people curse the chance that was wasted
I know but too well what they mean
So don't let them begin the beguine
Let the love that was once a fire remain an ember
Let it sleep like the dead desire I only remember
When they begin the beguine
Oh yes, let them begin the beguine, please make them play
Till the stars that were there before return above you
Till you whisper to me once more, "Darling, I love you"
Then we suddenly know what heaven we're in
When they begin the, begin the, begin the beguine
When they begin the, begin the, begin the beguine
When they begin the beguine
The song "Beguine" by Harry James & His Orchestra is about the nostalgic memories and emotions that are evoked when the beguine music starts playing. The singer remembers a night of tropical splendor with their loved ones, as an orchestra plays by the shore. The sound of the music brings back memories that are still evergreen, even after time has passed. The singer feels that the only way to relive those moments again is when the tune clutches their heart, reminding them of the promise to love forever.
The singer also remembers the difficulties of holding onto those moments, as the joys they once had were dispersed by clouds, implying that life gets in the way. They assert that if they could go back to relive those moments, they would do anything to keep them this time. However, they know all too well that chances in life can be wasted too easily.
The final lines plead with the musicians to "begin the beguine" once again, allowing the singer to return to that ecstatic state of love and nostalgia. The song ends with a repetition of the title, emphasizing the song's focus on the music's ability to evoke an emotional response.
Line by Line Meaning
When they begin the beguine
The start of the beguine brings back the sound of music that is very gentle, in addition to a night of tropical splendor and an evergreen memory.
It brings back the sound of music so tender
The sound of music that the beguine starts with is very gentle.
It brings back a night of tropical splendor
The beguine reminds of a night with a great view of the tropics.
It brings back a memory ever green
The beguine brings back a memory that always stays in mind.
I'm with you once more under the stars
When the beguine starts, it feels like being together again under the stars with the one you love.
And down by the shore an orchestra's playing
An orchestra is playing close to the shore.
And even the palms seem to be swaying
The palms around the orchestra seem to be moving and swaying.
To live it again is past all endeavor
It is very hard to experience the same great time again.
Except when that tune clutches my heart
Only when hearing that tune, it brings that great feeling back.
And there we are, swearing to love forever
Both people are there, declaring their love for one another, forever.
And promising never, never to part
Making sure to keep the promise of staying together forever, no matter what.
What moments divine, what rapture serene
Moments that are extremely special - divine - bring a sense of peace and joy.
Till clouds came along to disperse the joys we had tasted
Until something happens that ruins the great feeling that was present.
And now when I hear people curse the chance that was wasted
Hearing people regret not seizing the opportunity to experience that moment again.
I know but too well what they mean
I can relate to what they're feeling, having been in the same position.
So don't let them begin the beguine
Don't let the beguine start over again.
Let the love that was once a fire remain an ember
Instead, let the love that was once passionate stay as a smaller spark.
Let it sleep like the dead desire I only remember
Allow it to rest, like a dead desire that is only a memory.
Oh yes, let them begin the beguine, please make them play
But at the same time, it's hard to resist wanting the beguine to start again.
Till the stars that were there before return above you
Hoping for the stars to realign, just as they were present at that special moment.
Till you whisper to me once more, "Darling, I love you"
And hearing that special someone whisper 'I love you' again.
Then we suddenly know what heaven we're in
Finally realizing that we're in a special place - a heaven - when experiencing that moment again.
When they begin the, begin the, begin the beguine
When the beguine starts up again after all these years.
When they begin the beguine
When the beguine starts and all those great memories come flooding back.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cole Porter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
DouglasUrantia
This upbeat version is terrific. The additional blue note curlicues add pungency!!!