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.
By the 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 opening lines of Harry James's song Sleepy Lagoon evoke a sense of romantic escapism as they describe a serene tropical setting with a sleepy lagoon and a tropical moon. The song's narrator and their lover are the only ones on the island, isolated from the rest of the bustling world. As they bask in the perfect surroundings, the fireflies' gleam reflects in the stream and the leaves from the trees dance in the breeze and float on the ripples. They are surrounded by nature's beauty, which allows them to indulge in one another without distractions or interruptions.
As the night progresses, a star falls from the sky and slowly grows dimmer. It is an eerie reminder of how fleeting the moment of love they are experiencing is. Enchanted by the spell, they listen to the nightingales singing of roses and dew, a moment that the song's narrator will cherish forever. In this song, James emphasizes the power of nature in creating the perfect stage for an intimate moment of love.
Overall, Sleepy Lagoon is a beautiful and romantic song that transports the listener to an idyllic and tranquil world, making them feel the love and passion of the song's narrator.
Line by Line Meaning
A sleepy lagoon, a tropical moon and two on an island
Two people are on a secluded island with a serene lagoon under a beautiful, tropical moon.
A sleepy lagoon and two hearts in tune in some lullaby land
The peaceful and calming atmosphere of the lagoon puts the two hearts in sync and creates a dream-like state.
The fireflies' gleam reflects in the stream
The fireflies' light bounces off the calm water and creates a beautiful reflection.
They sparkle and shimmer
The fireflies shine brightly and move gracefully on the water's surface.
A star from on high falls out of the sky
A shooting star falls from the sky above.
And slowly grows dimmer
The shooting star gradually fades away into the night sky.
The leaves from the trees all dance in the breeze
The wind causes the leaves on the trees to sway and move rhythmically.
And float on the ripples
The leaves float on the water's gentle ripples.
We're deep in a spell as nightingales tell
The nightingales singing creates a trance-like state of magic and wonder.
Of roses and dew
The nightingales sing of the beauty of roses and the refreshing sensation of dew.
The memory of this moment of love
This moment on the island, shared with a loved one, will be forever etched in memory.
Will haunt me forever
The memory of this moment will always be with the singer, even as time passes.
A tropical moon, a sleepy lagoon
The scenery on this island is serene and tranquil under the beautiful tropical moonlight.
And you
The singer is with someone special who is making this moment on the sleepy lagoon even more enchanting.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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.