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.
Don’t Be That Way
Harry James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Clouds in the sky should never make you feel that way
The rain will bring the violets of May, tears are in vain
So honey, please don't be that way.
As long as we see it through,
You'll have me, I'll have you.
Sweetheart, tomorrow is another day,
Don't break my heart,
The lyrics of Harry James's song, Don't Be That Way, convey to the listener a message of hope and positivity in the face of adversity. The song's lyrics urge the listener to avoid negative emotions and instead embrace hope and optimism even in the darkest of times. The song starts with "Don't cry, Oh honey please don't be that way," which can be interpreted as a request from a loved one to avoid allowing the negative experiences of the present to overpower their spirit. The second line reinforces this message by stating that even though the clouds (representing the difficulties in life) may appear overwhelming, they should not have the power to crush one's spirit. The rest of the lyrics encourage the listener to hold on to hope and not to give up, because things will get better.
The lines "As long as we see it through, You'll have me, I'll have you" indicate that the singer is offering support to the listener to get through the difficult times together. The song conveys an emotional appeal, urging the singer's sweetheart not to break his heart by giving up hope. The last line "Don't break my heart, Oh honey, please don't be that way" emphasizes the emotional connection between the singer and his "honey". The overall tone of the song is one of encouragement and emotional support, with the message that difficult times will pass, and brighter days are just around the corner.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't cry, Oh honey please don't be that way
I don't want you to cry and be upset.
Clouds in the sky should never make you feel that way
Don't let the clouds in the sky bring you down.
The rain will bring the violets of May, tears are in vain
The rain will bring beautiful flowers in May, so don't waste your tears.
So honey, please don't be that way.
I'm begging you not to be upset.
As long as we see it through,
We can make it through this tough time.
You'll have me, I'll have you.
We'll have each other to get through this together.
Sweetheart, tomorrow is another day,
Tomorrow is a new day with new possibilities.
Don't break my heart,
I can't handle the pain of you being upset.
Oh honey, please don't be that way.
Please don't be upset and break my heart.
Lyrics © REGENT MUSIC CORPORATION, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BENNY GOODMAN, EDGAR SAMPSON, MITCHELL PARISH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Larry McCabe
I was in a band that traded sets with Harry at Harrah's in Reno back in 1965 or '66 and what a treat to listen to this band every night. Harry loved his Keno and actually hit the $25,000 prize while we were there. His comment: "I think I'm close to breaking even now." He was a very cool guy. Very real.
lewstone1934
I play this almost everyday - just to remind me what talent once inhabited the world of music..
swinginkatz
Harry was one of the very best. Love his music.
M.J. Leger
I had the privilege of accompanying HJ on the piano when he came to our college to perform -- I had never heard a trumpet go that high before and he could "tongue it" faster than I'd ever heard, even double-tongue it! -- it was very exciting! He was incredible! One of the very best ever on that instrument!
terry wells
CRAZY! MAN!
H1av0un
this man is for me like daily bread! I'm happy that he was living on this world and that he could give to us these famous songs! I love trumpet, i love Harry, I love my grandfather (he was the best trumpet man in Czech Republic, now he has swing orchestra of Vaclav Hlavac). I have played on trumpet for 13 years and I hope, that i will be good at least my grandfather, but this man is god for me! As the same like Ferguson:)
Bob Powers
I love any solo by Harry James. He is electric even when he's not trying to be.
Matt Bailey
Brilliant! I am yet to hear a big band replicate that amazing sound and electricity that the Harry James band had. Also gotta love Buddy Rich's amazing penmanship on the kit, he just nails it.
swinginkatz
I saw and danced several times. He never had to warm up, and very approacable.. An avid baseball fan . Was in St. Pete area every spring, for bookings, so to see his Cardinals play. Great guy.
davlee1dw
Great,very great. Harry had one of the best bands ever! Goodman did this first. Remember Harry was lead in his band on the Carnagie Hall live album version? This is priceless,