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.
I'm Always Chasing Rainbows
Harry James Lyrics
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Watching clouds drifting by
My schemes are just like all my dreams
Ending in the sky
Some fellows look and find the sunshine
I always look and find the rain
Some fellows make a winning sometimes
I never even make a gain
Waiting to find a little bluebird in vain
I'm always chasing rainbows
Watching clouds drifting by
My schemes are just like all my dreams
Ending in the sky
Some fellows look and find the sunshine
I always look and find the rain
Some fellows make a winning sometimes
I never even make a gain
Believe me, I'm always chasing rainbows
In "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows," Harry James sings about the dreamer who constantly sets lofty goals for themselves but fails to successfully achieve them. The singer paints a picture of someone who is always seeking happiness but never able to find it. Instead, they are always chasing the elusive, unattainable "rainbows." The imagery of the clouds drifting by and the dreams ending in the sky emphasize the fleeting nature of these goals.
The comparison between the singer and "some fellows" who are able to find sunshine or make winning sometimes highlights the sense of isolation and frustration that the dreamer feels. The repeating line "I'm always chasing rainbows" further emphasizes the obsession and futility of this search for happiness.
The final lines about waiting to find a little bluebird in vain suggest the singer's desperation and lack of hope. Despite the never-ending chase, they still hold onto a glimmer of optimism that they might eventually find what they are looking for.
Overall, "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows" is a melancholic and introspective song that speaks to the universal struggle of finding contentment and fulfillment in life.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm always chasing rainbows
I am constantly searching for something unattainable or unrealistic.
Watching clouds drifting by
I spend a lot of time daydreaming and not focusing on reality.
My schemes are just like all my dreams
I come up with grand plans and ideas that never come to fruition like my unrealistic dreams.
Ending in the sky
My plans and dreams often go nowhere or fail.
Some fellows look and find the sunshine
Some people are naturally optimistic and see the good in life.
I always look and find the rain
I tend to focus on the negative aspects of life instead of the positive.
Some fellows make a winning sometimes
Some people are successful in achieving their goals sometimes.
I never even make a gain
I never seem to make any progress or achieve any success.
Believe me, I'm always chasing rainbows
I am constantly chasing something that is out of reach or impossible to attain.
Waiting to find a little bluebird in vain
I continue to hope for something that is unlikely to happen or does not exist.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HARRY CARROLL, JOSEPH JOE MC CARTHY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jeffjohnson1302
looking forward to more.
@Bubba-Tex
@Jeff Johnson Thanks for the feedback!
@swingman5635
Great side,Mister! Thanks for posting. I always get a kick out of seeing the chestnuts get a do-over with "modern" arrangements. This tune got an admirable number of covers, Harry's of course,being my favorite,plus you can't go wrong with a Buddy D. vocal. Ironically, my second favorite rendition, is a Decca with two former HJ vocalists,Helen Forrest and Dick Haymes. They sang a few duets for the label, '44-'46.
@Bubba-Tex
Thanks for the comment Swingman! Pardon my ignorance, but I don't get the chestnuts reference. I agree this is a pretty elaborate arrangement, and unfortunately I don't know who penned it. I see HJ's wife Betty Grable was in the 1945 movie The Dolly Sisters which I suppose might have provided some inspiration for him to cover the tune. ...and he got a top ten hit out of it. Thanks again!
@swingman5635
@@Bubba-Tex "Chestnut", or "Old chestnut", refers to anything that has been around for awhile,most often used to describe something, trite,or stale. Most often it's used to mean an old joke,but it's also used to describe a song. Funny,using the term "chestnut", is something of a "chestnut" these days.
@Bubba-Tex
@@swingman5635 Thanks for educating me 😀
@swingman5635
@@Bubba-Tex Likewise! 🙂
@bryannagregory618
🔥 ᴘʀᴏᴍᴏsᴍ