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.
Moonlight Becomes You
Harry James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You certainly know the right thing to wear
Moonlight becomes you, I'm thrilled at the sight
And I could get so romantic tonight
You're all dressed up to go dreaming
Now don't tell me I'm wrong
And what a night to go dreaming
If I say I love you
I want you to know
It's not just because there's moonlight
Although, moonlight becomes you so
You're all dressed up to go dreaming
Now don't tell me I'm wrong
And what a night to go dreaming
Mind if I tag along
If I say I love you
I want you to know
It's not just because there's moonlight
Although, moonlight becomes you so
The song Moonlight Becomes You by Harry James describes how the beauty of the moonlight complements the beauty of the person the singer is addressing. The lyrics suggest that the person knows how to dress well and looks particularly enchanting bathed in moonlight. The singer expresses their excitement at seeing this person in this setting and suggests they could have a romantic evening together. The chorus repeats the idea that the person is dressed up to go dreaming and the singer would like to tag along. The final verse clarifies that the singer's feelings are not just because of the moonlight but they do acknowledge that it enhances this person's beauty.
The lyrics create an image of a nighttime date or excursion where the person being addressed is the center of attention. The use of the word "dreaming" adds to the romantic, almost magical quality of the scene being described. The repeated invitation to join the person suggests a desire for intimacy and connection.
Overall, the song Moonlight Becomes You by Harry James celebrates the charm of the person being addressed and the beauty of the night landscape. The invitation to join them in their dreaming suggests a desire for closeness and affection.
Line by Line Meaning
Moonlight becomes you, it goes with your hair
The way the moonlight shines on you brings out the beauty in your hair
You certainly know the right thing to wear
You always dress perfectly for the occasion
Moonlight becomes you, I'm thrilled at the sight
Just seeing you in the moonlight thrills me
And I could get so romantic tonight
Being with you in this atmosphere has made me feel incredibly romantic
You're all dressed up to go dreaming
You look like you're ready to escape into your dreams
Now don't tell me I'm wrong
I'm confident that I'm reading the situation correctly
And what a night to go dreaming
This is the perfect night to let your mind wander
Mind if I tag along
Can I join you in this dreamlike state?
If I say I love you
I want to express my affection for you
I want you to know
It's important to me that you understand
It's not just because there's moonlight
My love for you is not solely based on this setting
Although, moonlight becomes you so
However, the moonlight does enhance your already beautiful appearance
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMES VAN HEUSEN, JOHNNY BURKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Barry I. Grauman
Recorded on July 15, 1942.
Originally released on {American} Columbia 36668.