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.
EYES
Harry James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't know if it's cloudy or bright
'Cause I only have eyes for you dear
The moon may be high
But I can't see a thing in the sky
'Cause I only have eyes for you
Or on a crowded avenue
You are here, so am I
Maybe millions of people go by
But they all disappear from view
And I only have eyes for you
Are the stars out tonight
I don't know if it's cloudy or bright
'Cause I only have eyes for you
Only have eyes for you
I don't know if we're in a garden
Or on a crowded avenue
You are here, so am I
Maybe millions of people go by
But they all disappear from view
And I only have eyes for you
Only have eyes for you
The lyrics of this song speak to the intense focus of love. The singer professes that in any situation, whether the stars are out or the moon is high, the only thing that matters is the person they love. It doesn't matter whether they are in a garden or on a crowded street, because all other people and distractions disappear from view. This kind of all-consuming affection is often associated with new love or infatuation, when one person becomes the center of another's world. The repetition of the phrase "only have eyes for you" reinforces this idea, as the singer emphasizes that their focus is completely on their beloved.
Line by Line Meaning
Are the stars out tonight
I'm not sure if the stars are visible tonight
I don't know if it's cloudy or bright
I'm unaware if the weather is cloudy or clear
'Cause I only have eyes for you dear
But none of that matters because I'm solely focused on you
The moon may be high
The moon could be in the sky
But I can't see a thing in the sky
However, I'm not bothered to look as you have all my attention
'Cause I only have eyes for you
I'm fixated on you and nothing else
I don't know if we're in a garden
I'm unsure if we're standing in a garden
Or on a crowded avenue
Or if we're in a packed street
You are here, so am I
Regardless of our location, we're together
Maybe millions of people go by
Even if countless individuals pass us by
But they all disappear from view
I don't see or notice them as I'm solely focused on you
And I only have eyes for you
My attention and affection are all directed towards you
Only have eyes for you
My devotion is solely for you
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Al Dubin, Harry Warren
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@JoseCarlosPMCosta
Bob Florence wrote this swinging chart for Harry James' 1961 album "Today."
Jack Perciful on piano, Red Kelly on bass, Terry Rosen on guitar, and the magnificent Tony DiNicola on drums start off. Then the band plays the melody, leading up to Willie Smith's alto sax solo, and Harry's solo.
A really nice chart.
Jack Perciful ===> Gênio do piano (impecável ... sem palavras para descrever este gênio que tocou com os maiores músicos de Jazz americanos e com grandes orquestras de música americana orquestrada.
Red Kelly ===> Gênio do Contra-baixo
Terry Rosen ===> Gênio da guitarra
Wilie Smith's ===> Gênio do Sax Alto
Tony DiNicola ===> Gênio da Bateria e maior baterista de arranjos de Ernie Wilkins
Ernie Wilkins ====> Maior gênio arranjador de música americana, em especial, arranjador das melhores músicas de Harry James.
Deixou um filho arranjador também. Mas nunca consegui ouvir algum de seus arranjos,
@wayneandrus240
What a powerhouse band!!!
@joeschmoe3558
That’s my teacher, Tony DiNicola on drums. A wonderful person, fine teacher, and a swingin’ drummer.
@JoseCarlosPMCosta
THE BEST version of this tune!!
Thanks for uploading!
@novelliification
FABULOSO HARRY JAMES!!! FABULOSA ORQUESTRA, SWINGADA, COM TREMENDO BALANÇO! UM AUTÊNTICO "LEVANTA DEFUNTO".
@lotusalivelight24
That was great ! wow: great ! ♡
@lotusalivelight24
i loved my harry james lp, from 1987.
@ChuckParDueMusic
Nice take Chuck!
@peterpiece2102
It was Harry's second gold era with his new smallest Big Band. Masterpieces from 59' by MGM. 'Keep Swingin'...
@jackosallotment6224
Love it! I've just obtained the arrangement to attempt to play. It's a real 60s swinger!
@joseanjos3372
Good.....good....jose..anjos...