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 in the Market for You
Harry James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Find out what he can do,
'Cause I'm in the market for you.
There won't be any joker,
With margin I'm all through,
'Cause I want you outright, it's true.
I want a thousand shares of your caresses, too.
We'll count the hugs and kisses,
When dividends are due,
'Cause I'm in the market for you!
Harry James's song "I'm in the Market for You" is a love song in which the singer uses financial and investment terms to express his affection. He starts by saying that he will have to consult his broker to find out what he can do, indicating that he is willing to invest in the person he loves. He promises that there won't be any joker and won't take any margin. He explains that he wants the person to himself because he is truly in love with them. He then uses investment language to describe his feelings towards the person by saying that his estimation of the person is going up, and he wants a thousand shares of their caresses. He culminates the song by saying that once they are together, they will count their hugs and kisses as dividends.
The song is unique because it uses investment terms to describe someone's affection, which makes it entertaining and relatable to many people who have ever invested in the stock market. Also, the song is full of puns and cleverly uses metaphors to compare love to investing. Harry James's smooth delivery makes it a fun tune to listen to and has the ability to put a smile on the face of its listeners.
The song was written by Joseph Meyer, Billy Rose, and Edward Eliscu, and it was first recorded by Harry James and his orchestra in April 1939. After it was released, it became an instant hit, and many other artists covered it over the years. In 1953, it was featured in the film "The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T" and has since been used in various movies and commercials.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll have to see my broker,
I need to consult my broker to know how to make you mine.
Find out what he can do,
I need to know what my broker can do to get you for me.
'Cause I'm in the market for you.
I am interested in investing in you and acquiring you as mine.
There won't be any joker,
I am serious and not kidding about wanting you.
With margin I'm all through,
I am no longer willing to take any risks and I am definitely going for you.
'Cause I want you outright, it's true.
I want to own you and it's the truth.
You're going up, up, up in my estimation,
I hold you in high regard and my interest in you is increasing tremendously.
I want a thousand shares of your caresses, too.
I want to have a lot of affectionate interactions with you.
We'll count the hugs and kisses,
Our physical intimacy will be a cherished memory.
When dividends are due,
When I receive benefits from my investment, it will be with you.
'Cause I'm in the market for you!
My interest in investing in you has never been higher than it is now.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAMES F. HANLEY, JOSEPH ALLAN MCCARTHY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
songanddanceman100
This is really good. he did some superlative recordings in the 1960s, many of them now overlooked. Lots of good sides for MGM Records and even some good thing for the commercial DOT label.
Chuck Par-Due
Harry recorded with Benny Goodman in 1955 for Capitol, an album called "Mr. Benny Goodman." Doc was in the trumpet section. Harry also appeared with Benny in 1958 for "Spring into Spring" and Doc was in the trumpet section. There are a couple of great clips of that show on Youtube. Especially King Porter Stomp where Doc can be seen grinning from ear to ear while Harry solos. Bobby Hackett, of course, was at Carnegie Hall in the jazz history medley in 1938 with Benny.
Antonio Carlos Novelli
A gente as vezes muda um pouco os discos e ouve alguns outros até excelentes trompetistas, mas depois sempre volta a ouvir Louis e Harry James!!!
frankfan42
Approximately when do you think he reached his zenith of interpretive abilities? One thing that has always attracted me to his playing is the way he makes the instrument speak. It says things so beautifully when words fail.
Richard Salvucci
I think Harry recorded this in 1938 as well. God, what a gorgeous tune.
frankfan42
I agree, he really opened the door for the modern day trumpeters as we know them. Very good observations, you are a thinker!
frankfan42
Harry James is to the trumpet what Sinatra is to male singing- they both made definitive statements of style and lasting influence on their "instruments." Thanks for sharing, I play a lot of Harry at the nursing home where I am the weekend supervisor, and there are always positive reviews of Harry James. He is really the Babe Ruth of the trumpet, to paraphrase Ed Sullivan.
frankfan42
Interesting comment, please expand on what aspect of Prometheus you refer to here. I somewhat think of Armstrong as having a little of Gabriel's trumpet to him, with God telling him not to blow too hard, too soon to announce the end, and a new beginning.
A Trip Down Memory Lane
Smooth.
frankfan42
Do you know if Harry ever recorded with Severinsen or Bobby Hackett?