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.
How High the Moon
Harry James Lyrics
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How faint the tune
Somewhere there's heaven
How high the moon
There is no moon above
When love is far away too
Till it comes true
That you love me as I love you
Somewhere there's music
How near, how far
Somewhere there's heaven
It's where you are
The darkest night would shine
If you would come to me soon
Until you will, how still my heart
How high the moon
Somewhere there's music
How faint the tune
Somewhere there's heaven
How high the moon
The darkest night would shine
If you would come to me soon
Until you will, how still my heart
How high the moon
The song "How High the Moon" by Harry James features lyrics that are a reflection on love and the feeling of being apart from someone that you are deeply in love with. The lyrics describe a sense of distance and a feeling of longing for the person they love. As the song says, "Somewhere there's music, how faint the tune. Somewhere there's heaven, how high the moon." This line suggests that the person they love is far away, but that there is still hope that the love they share will bring them together again.
The lyrics also convey a sense of overwhelming emotion, describing the feeling of being lost and alone without the love of their life. However, there is a sense of hope that their love will bring them back together again, as they hope that "You love me as I love you." The chorus repeats the lines "How high the moon" and "The darkest night would shine", emphasizing the message of hope and the idea that love can bring light to even the darkest of times.
Overall, the lyrics of "How High the Moon" convey a message of love and hope, even in the face of distance and uncertainty. The song reveals the depth of human emotion and the power of love to bring two people together.
Line by Line Meaning
Somewhere there's music
There is music playing somewhere, although it may be faint and difficult to hear.
How faint the tune
The melody of the music is very soft and difficult to discern.
Somewhere there's heaven
There is a place where the feeling of complete happiness and bliss exists.
How high the moon
This feeling of heaven is so strong and elevated that it is akin to the moon's height.
There is no moon above
In the absence of love, one cannot experience the elevated feeling described in the previous line.
When love is far away too
If love is not present in one's life, then it is impossible to attain the feeling of being in heaven.
Till it comes true
Only when love becomes a reality can one truly experience the elevated feeling of heaven.
That you love me as I love you
The love must be mutual for both parties to experience the elevated feeling of heaven.
How near, how far
The location of the feeling of heaven can be close or distant depending on one's circumstances.
It's where you are
The feeling of heaven is present wherever the person one loves is located.
The darkest night would shine
Even in the darkest of times, the presence of the loved one can make everything seem bright.
If you would come to me soon
The arrival of the loved one would bring the happiness and bliss associated with the feeling of heaven.
Until you will, how still my heart
In the meantime, without the presence of the loved one, the heart will remain still and without motion.
How high the moon
The feeling of heaven is so strong and elevated that it is akin to the moon's height.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Morgan Lewis, Nancy Hamilton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jan Procházka
on All or Nothing at All
trumpet boogie