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.
Mister Five By Five
Harry James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Here comes Mister Five by Five
He's one of those big, fat, bouncin' boys
Solid avoirdupois
Mister Five by Five
He's five feet tall and he's five feet wide
He don't measure no more from head to toe
Mister Five by Five
Got fifteen chins and a line of jive
He's a mellow old cat, a real hep fat
He be Mister Five by Five
That man can really jump it for a fat man
The only trouble is there's no way of knowin'
Whether he's comin' or goin'
Mister Five by Five
He's slightly plump on the solid side
He don't shake it no more from head to toe
Than he do from side to side
Mister Five, Five by Five
He's five feet tall and he's five feet wide
Slightly plump and he can jump
'Cause he's a mellow old fat and a real hep cat
Mister Five by Five
He's five feet tall and he's five feet wide
He doesn't measure no more from his head to his toe
Than he do from side to side
Mister Five by Five-feet-five
He's slightly plump on the solid side
He doesn't measure no more from head to toe
Than'll he do from side to side
Mister Five, Mister Five, Mister Five
He be just little Mister Five by Five
The lyrics to Harry James and Helen Forrest's song "Mister Five by Five" are a playful and lighthearted tribute to a man who is "five feet tall and five feet wide" and "slightly plump on the solid side". The song describes him as a "big, fat, bouncin' boy" who has "solid avoirdupois". The singer admires Mister Five by Five's ability to jump and his "line of jive", and calls him a "mellow old fat and a real hep cat". Despite his size and shape, Mister Five by Five is presented as a fun-loving, confident, and stylish figure.
The song can be interpreted as celebrating body positivity and rejecting societal norms regarding body size and shape. Mister Five by Five is presented as someone who is comfortable in his own skin and enjoys his life to the fullest, regardless of any judgments others might make about his body. The song also highlights the joy and vitality that can come from dancing and music, as evidenced by Mister Five by Five's ability to "jump it for a fat man".
Line by Line Meaning
Well twirl my turban, man alive
What a surprise! I can't believe my eyes!
Here comes Mister Five by Five
Look out, everyone, because Mister Five by Five is coming!
He's one of those big, fat, bouncin' boys
Mister Five by Five is a large, heavyset man who moves with energy.
Solid avoirdupois
He has a solid, heavy build.
Mister Five by Five
The man everyone calls Mister Five by Five.
He's five feet tall and he's five feet wide
He is as wide as he is tall, measuring five feet in both directions.
He don't measure no more from head to toe
He is just as wide as he is tall.
Than he do from side to side
He is just as wide as he is tall.
Got fifteen chins and a line of jive
He has a lot of rolls on his neck and he is known for his cool way of talking.
He's a mellow old cat, a real hep fat
He is a relaxed and cool guy, well-versed in the latest trends and culture.
He be Mister Five by Five
He is known to everyone as Mister Five by Five.
That man can really jump it for a fat man
Despite his weight, he is surprisingly agile and can jump well.
The only trouble is there's no way of knowin'
However, it can be hard to tell which way he is going to move.
Whether he's comin' or goin'
It's hard to predict which direction he will move in.
He's slightly plump on the solid side
Although he is a little overweight, he is still solidly built.
Mister Five, Five by Five
Once again, Mister Five by Five.
Slightly plump and he can jump
Despite his weight, he can still jump well.
'Cause he's a mellow old fat and a real hep cat
This is because he is a cool, laid-back guy despite his weight.
He doesn't measure no more from his head to his toe
He is just as wide as he is tall, measuring five feet in both directions.
Than he do from side to side
He is just as wide as he is tall.
He be just little Mister Five by Five
Despite his size, he is still known to everyone as Mister Five by Five.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DON RAYE, GENE DE PAUL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dudley5533
Magnificent Helen......she could sing anything, even this novelty song.....great performance.
@erikcarmichael3300
I think they just might have a song for each minute of the clock written from the 40's I bet.Its 11:60pm just came on awhile ago an it was right on the clock.
@cattycorner8
Was searching for this1 Thank you!
@the78prof72
You're most welcome...glad that you found it.
@waynejones205
Today I set my cell phone screen up for a 5x5 grid for favorite widgets. What song do you think I started to sing to see FIVE BY FIVE? ❤❤😂 And I'm only 58, got bit by the swing bug around 12!!