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 Loves You Porgy
Harry James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If I thought that you'd love me too
Does a birdie fly
Ooh-ooh-ooh-aah
Would I want you
If I thought thay you'd want me too
Does a baby cry
(Would I love you)
Each and every day
(Would I love you)
Darling, come what may
(Would I love you)
Ooh-ooh, I would and I do
With a love that is true
Oh, would I kiss you
If I thought that you'd come on and kiss me too
Does a river flow
'N just in case you'd like to know
Would I hold you
And never let you go for my whole life through
Does a fire glow
Oh, my Darlin', Darlin', Darlin'
(Would I love you)
Oh, you don't have to doubt it
(Would I love you)
There's no question about it
(Would I love you)
Darlin', Darlin', Darlin', I would and I do
With a love that is true
Oooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
(Would I love you)
As long as I'm here, I will
(Would I love you)
For everything that I'm worth
(would I love you)
Just like a flower loves the rain
(Would I love you)
I try to never
miss a chance to show you again and again
The song "Would I Love You" by Harry James and Doris Day is a classic love song that explores the depth of love and affection between two people. The lyrics are simple and straightforward, with each line expressing the singer's unwavering love for their partner. The song begins with the singer questioning whether they would love their partner if their feelings were reciprocated. The use of the metaphor of a bird flying and a baby crying reinforces the idea that love is a natural, innate feeling that cannot be ignored.
As the song progresses, the singer declares their love for their partner, reaffirming it with every chorus. The use of rhetorical questions such as "Does a river flow" and "Does a fire glow" emphasizes the inevitability and constancy of their love. The singer's dedication to their partner is further evident in the repetition of the phrase "Darlin', Darlin', Darlin'" which conveys a sense of intimacy and affection.
Line by Line Meaning
Would I love you
Asks the question if the singer would love the other person.
If I thought that you'd love me too
If the other person reciprocated their love, would the singer also love them.
Does a birdie fly
Asks a rhetorical question that has an obvious answer, indicating that the singer's love is a natural thing.
Would I want you
Asks another question, whether the singer would want the other person in their life.
If I thought thay you'd want me too
If the other person also wanted a relationship, would the singer want to be with them.
Does a baby cry
Another rhetorical question, implying that the singer's desire for the other person is as natural as a baby's cry.
Each and every day
Singer affirms that their love would be present every day.
Darling, come what may
Even if situations change, Singer indicates that their love will persist.
Ooh-ooh, I would and I do
Singer affirms that they do indeed love the other person.
With a love that is true
The singer's love is genuine and honest.
Oh, would I kiss you
Singer imagines kissing the other person.
If I thought that you'd come on and kiss me too
Singer wonders if the other person would also want to kiss them.
Does a river flow
Another rhetorical question, suggesting that the singer's passion is as natural as a flowing river.
'N just in case you'd like to know
Singer inserts a playful remark to acknowledge the whimsical nature of their affection.
Would I hold you
Describes the singer holding the other person.
And never let you go for my whole life through
The singer promises to cherish the other person's love forever.
Does a fire glow
Another rhetorical question, suggesting that the singer's passion is as natural as a glowing fire.
Oh, my Darlin', Darlin', Darlin'
Singer addresses the other person affectionately.
Oh, you don't have to doubt it
Singer reassures the other person of their love.
There's no question about it
Singer emphasizes that their love is certain and absolute.
Darlin', Darlin', Darlin', I would and I do
Singer repeats the line from earlier, affirming their love.
Oooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Repeats a playful vocalization seen earlier in the song.
As long as I'm here, I will
Singer promises to love the other person as long as they are alive.
For everything that I'm worth
Singer promises to devote all their love and energy to the other person.
Just like a flower loves the rain
Singer uses a natural metaphor to describe their undying love.
I try to never complain
Singer will never let any difficulties in their relationship dampen their love for the other person.
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
Written by: Bob Russell, Harold Spina
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jan Procházka
on All or Nothing at All
trumpet boogie