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'tcha Go 'Way Mad
Harry James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I had a rendezvous with somebody new
That's the only one I ever had
Baby, baby, don'cha go away mad
Cheatin' shows and it never goes
You got a reason to be mad I suppose
But she only was a passin' fad
Her kind's a dime a dozen
And that's not the kind I want
Who'd ever dream your cousin
Would wander into that restaurant?
I understand that you feel upset
What do you say that you forgive and forget?
Come on and kiss me just to show you're glad
Baby, baby, don'cha go away mad
Now, her kind's a dime a dozen
I should've passed her by
Who'd ever dream your cousin
Would come along and give us the eye?
I understand that you feel upset
What do you say that you forgive and forget?
Come on and kiss me just to show you're glad
Baby, don'cha go away mad
Understand that you're quite upset
What do you say that you forgive and forget?
Come on and kiss me just to show you're glad
Baby, baby, baby, baby, baby, baby, baby
Baby, baby, baby, don'cha go 'way mad
Now, don'cha go away mad
The lyrics of "Don'tcha Go 'Way Mad" by Harry James tell a story of betrayal and reconciliation in a relationship. The singer confesses to having had a rendezvous with someone else but tries to justify it by saying it was only a passing fling and not worth getting mad over. He acknowledges that cheating hurts and gives his partner a reason to be mad at him, but he pleads with her not to let this one mistake ruin their relationship. He calls her "baby" multiple times to show affection and asks her to forgive and forget by kissing him and showing that she's glad. He ends the song by begging her not to go away mad.
The song is a reminder that relationships are not perfect and mistakes happen. It takes courage to admit fault, but it also takes effort to make amends and regain trust. The lyrics suggest that the singer values his relationship with his partner and hopes to salvage it by making things right. The repeated use of "baby" also implies a sense of intimacy and endearment between the couple.
Line by Line Meaning
I must confess what you say is true
I admit that what you're saying is correct
I had a rendezvous with somebody new
I met up with someone else
That's the only one I ever had
It was the only time I cheated
Baby, baby, don'cha go away mad
Please don't be angry with me
Cheatin' shows and it never goes
Cheating is always a bad thing
You got a reason to be mad I suppose
I understand why you're upset
But she only was a passin' fad
That other person wasn't important to me
Her kind's a dime a dozen
People like her are very common
And that's not the kind I want
I don't want someone like her
Who'd ever dream your cousin would wander into that restaurant?
I never expected to see your cousin there
I understand that you feel upset
I know you're mad at me
What do you say that you forgive and forget?
Can you forgive me and move on?
Come on and kiss me just to show you're glad
Kiss me to show everything's okay
Now, her kind's a dime a dozen
People like her are very common
I should've passed her by
I should've ignored her
Who'd ever dream your cousin would come along and give us the eye?
I never expected your cousin to hit on me
Understand that you're quite upset
I know you're really mad at me
Baby, baby, baby, baby, baby, baby, baby
Honey, honey, honey, honey, honey, honey, honey
Don'cha go away mad
Please don't be angry and leave
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ILLINOIS JACQUET, JIMMY MUNDY, AL STILLMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jeffrey Austin
I love this song, I loved it as "Black Velvet," and I love this recording.
the78prof
Thanks! I wasn't aware of the Jacquet/Mundy origin until now. This James recording has been a favorite since I was a kid, as it was used as the closing radio theme for a locally popular record show where I grew up.
Pepper Williams
Great song and the vocals really shine!
Michel Motta
Wonderfoul song. Thanks from Rio de Janeiro Brazil.
C Porter
Congrats on reaching/re-reaching 600 Subscribers
Dar Ramlogan
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