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.
On the Sunny Side of the Street
Harry James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I had nothing but shadows
Then one morning you passed
And I brightened at last
Now I greet the day and complete the day
With the sun in my heart
All my worry blew away
When you taught me how to say
Grab your coat and get your hat
Leave your worry on the doorstep
Just direct your feet
To the sunny side of the street
Can't you hear a pitter-pat?
And that happy tune is your step
Life can be so sweet
On the sunny side of the street
I used to walk in the shade
With those blues on parade
But I'm not afraid
This Rover crossed over
If I never have a cent
I'd be rich as Rockefeller
Gold dust at my feet
On the sunny side of the street
Grab your street
The lyrics to Harry James's song "On the Sunny Side of the Street" are about a person who was once alone and in the shadows, and how they were finally able to find happiness with the help of someone else. The singer describes how they used to walk and talk with no one and have nothing but shadows to keep them company. However, one morning they passed by someone who taught them how to enjoy life and find joy in the world.
The singer states how they now greet the day and complete the day with the sun in their heart. They are no longer weighed down by worries as they have learned how to leave them behind and focus on the good things in life. They encourage others to do the same by directing their feet to the sunny side of the street. The singer finds that life is so much sweeter when you focus on the positive aspects of life.
The chorus of the song is particularly upbeat as the singer talks about how rich they feel, even if they never have a cent. They compare their newfound happiness to that of a Rockefeller, proving that joy and happiness can come from within rather than from material wealth. The song ends with a call to action for listeners to grab their coat and hat and join the singer on the sunny side of the street.
Line by Line Meaning
Walked with no one and talked with no one
I used to be quite lonely and isolated, not interacting with anyone.
And I had nothing but shadows
I felt like my life was filled with shadows and darkness, without much light or joy.
Then one morning you passed
But one day, you came into my life and everything changed.
And I brightened at last
Your presence brought light and happiness to my life, making everything brighter and better.
Now I greet the day and complete the day
Now, I wake up every day with enthusiasm, and feel fulfilled when I go to bed each night.
With the sun in my heart
I have a bright and positive attitude, and feel like I'm full of love and warmth.
All my worry blew away
My fears and anxieties disappeared when you came into my life.
When you taught me how to say
You taught me how to live with joy and positivity, and I'm forever grateful for that.
Grab your coat and get your hat
Let's go outside, get ready to face the day, and have some fun!
Leave your worry on the doorstep
Don't bring your worries and troubles with you, leave them behind and focus on the good things.
Just direct your feet
Let's move forward, one step at a time, towards something bright and joyful.
To the sunny side of the street
Let's focus on the positive, embrace the light, and live on the bright side of life.
Can't you hear a pitter-pat?
Listen to the sound of your own footsteps as we walk, and feel the happiness and energy in them.
And that happy tune is your step
Let's move to the beat of our own positive, happy rhythm.
Life can be so sweet
Life can be really great and fulfilling when we choose to focus on the good things.
On the sunny side of the street
Let's stay on the bright side of life, and enjoy all the positive things it has to offer.
I used to walk in the shade
Before you came into my life, I used to feel like everything around me was dark and gloomy.
With those blues on parade
I felt like all of my problems and anxieties were constantly on display, and that everyone could see them.
But I'm not afraid
But now, with you in my life, I feel strong and empowered, and I'm not afraid to face anything.
This Rover crossed over
I've come a long way, and I'm grateful for all the positive changes in my life.
If I never have a cent
Even if I never become wealthy or financially secure,
I'd be rich as Rockefeller
I still feel like I have a lot of blessings in my life, and am grateful for everything I have.
Gold dust at my feet
I feel like every step I take brings even more positivity and abundance into my life.
On the sunny side of the street
And I'm so grateful to be able to live on the bright side of life, with all the love and joy it has to offer.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, SHAPIRO BERNSTEIN & CO. INC.
Written by: Dorothy Fields, Jimmy McHugh
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Michael Butler
Just great!
kenneth bransford
I guess this generation is long gone as expressed in the lack of comments here.
Shiv K P The Organist
The saddest reality ! Wish I could say you were wrong. Still doesn't stop it from being terrific music :)