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.
It's Been So Long
Harry James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Since I held you tight
When we said good night
It's been so long
Honey, can't you see
What you've done to me?
I've been in a kind of daze
For days and days and days
In, oh, so many ways
'Cause it was so nice
When we had that date
Every night at eight
It was so nice
Then we said good-bye
What a fool was I
Let me get back in your arms where I belong
'Cause it's been, oh, so long
The lyrics to Harry James’s “It’s Been So Long” convey a sense of longing and nostalgia for a past love that has been gone for a long time. The opening line “Cause it’s been so long since I held you tight” immediately sets the mood for the entire song. James sings about not being able to shake off the memories of his lover and how much he misses her presence. He seems to be in a daze for days and days, feeling blue and missing her in every possible way. He reminisces about a time when they used to go out on dates every night at eight and how nice it was to be with her. The phrase “What a fool was I” suggests that he might have been the reason for their separation, but he wants to make up for it and get back to where he belongs - in her arms.
The song is soulful and emotional, with James’s trumpet serving as the perfect accompaniment to the lyrics. The melody is slow and melancholic, almost reflecting the mood of the singer. The repetition of the phrase “it’s been so long” throughout the song acts as a reminder of the time that has passed since the singer last saw his lover. The song leaves you with a sense of sorrow and longing, as if you too are experiencing the same emotions as the singer.
Line by Line Meaning
'Cause it's been so long
It has been a long time since I have held you in my arms.
Since I held you tight
It has been a long time since I last held you closely to me.
When we said good night
The last time I held you tight was on the night we said goodnight.
It's been so long
It has felt like an eternity since I last saw you.
Honey, can't you see
Can you not see the impact you have made on me?
What you've done to me?
You have left a lasting impression on me.
I've been in a kind of daze
I have been in a state of confusion and bewilderment
For days and days and days
This feeling has been going on for an extended period of time.
Feelin' blue, missin' you
I am feeling sad and lonely without you.
In, oh, so many ways
I am missing you in countless ways.
'Cause it was so nice
Our time together was incredibly pleasant.
When we had that date
We had a wonderful date that I still remember fondly.
Every night at eight
We used to meet every night at eight.
It was so nice
Our time together was so enjoyable.
Then we said good-bye
Unfortunately, we had to say goodbye at some point.
What a fool was I
I realize now that I was foolish to let you go.
Let me get back in your arms where I belong
I need to be back in your loving embrace where I feel at home.
'Cause it's been, oh, so long
I have been away from you for a very long time and I miss you more each day.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: WEBB PIERCE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DanoGfx
Never thought that you would be
standing here so close to me
there's so much I feel that I should say
but words can wait until some other day
Kiss me once, then kiss me twice
Then kiss me once again
It's been a long, long time
Haven't felt like this, my dear
Since I can't remember when
It's been a long, long time
You'll never know how many dreams
I've dreamed about you
Or just how empty they all seemed without you
So kiss me once, then kiss me twice
Then kiss me once again
It's been a long, long time
@bridgetkennedy4291
A kid on IG made the trumpet noise to match a sunset. Thanks kid, didn't know I needed this until now
@bromanpeary3288
Ayo me too but on TikTok 😂
@frankde9445
fr
@briannac3909
Came from same vid haha
@basaksomething2582
Add me into the list
@rochakniraula891
I will need to check the privacy policy after this one
@unclebobs90
That kid and the sunset. He nailed it.
@samuelwilson2614
True
@sethsalinas7352
Glad ain't the only one
here because of that video
@bennygoodmanisgod
Lol I know what video you’re talking about. The boy has talent