Harry Haag James (March 15, 1916 – July 5, 1983) was a popular United State… Read Full Bio ↴Harry Haag James (March 15, 1916 – July 5, 1983) was a popular United States musician and band leader, and a well known trumpet virtuoso.

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.

If I Had You
Harry James Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I could show the world how to smile
I could be glad all of the while
I could change the grey skies to blues
If I had you
I could leave the old days behind
Leave all my pals, I'd never mind
I could start my life all a new
If I had you

I could climb the snow capped mountains
Sail the mighty ocean wide
I could cross the burning desert
If I had you by my side
I could be a king, dear, uncrowned
Humble or poor, rich or renowned
There is nothing I couldn't do
If I had you

I could show the world how to smile
I could be glad all of the while
I could change the grey skies to blues
If I had you
I could leave the old days behind
Leave all my pals, I'd never mind
I could start my life all a new
If I had you
I could climb the snow capped mountains
Sail the mighty ocean wide
I could cross the burning desert
If I had you by my side
I could be a king, dear, uncrowned

Humble or poor, rich or renowned
There is nothing I couldn't do

Overall Meaning

The words of Harry James & His Orchestra's "If I Had You" are about a person who feels they could conquer anything with the presence of their significant other. The singer expresses that they can exhibit happiness to the world and eliminate the negativity in life with their partner. They also say that they are able to leave behind the past, start anew, and achieve anything with the support from their significant other. The lyrics also describe that with their partner by their side, they would have the will to climb mountains, sail oceans, and cross deserts. Lastly, the singer expresses that they could be anyone they wish to be and there would be no impediment to their accomplishments if they had their partner.

The lyrics of "If I Had You" is an ode to the strength of love and its capacity to abolish all troubles. The lyrics cleverly use metaphors and hyperboles to express the devotion of the singer. The singer is conveying how their partner's mere presence would give them the endurance to tackle any challenge that comes their way, and their life would be complete with them. In conclusion, the song's intention is to express the meaning of true love and the power it holds.

Line by Line Meaning

I could show the world how to smile
I have the ability to bring happiness to the world

I could be glad all of the while
I could maintain a joyful attitude indefinitely

I could change the grey skies to blues
I could bring about positivity where there was once negativity

If I had you
If I was with the one I love

I could leave the old days behind
I could move on from the past

Leave all my pals, I'd never mind
I would not regret leaving behind my friends

I could start my life all a new
I would have the opportunity for a fresh start

If I had you
If I was with the one I love

I could climb the snow capped mountains
I would accomplish great feats

Sail the mighty ocean wide
I would explore and conquer the unknown

I could cross the burning desert
I would overcome great obstacles