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.
Opening Theme Into If That
Harry James Lyrics
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Every night he sings so happily, so his lady love can hear.
In a manner oh gravissimo, he repeats his serenade,
And his heart beats so fortissimo, when she raises her Venetian shade.
Ciribiribin, chiribiribin, ciribiribin.
Ciribiribin, he waits for her each night beneath her balcony.
Ciribiribin, he begs to hold her tight, but no, she won't agree.
Ciribiribin, she throws a rose and blows a kiss from up above,
(musical interlude)
Ciribiribin, ciribiribin, ciribiribin, they're so in love.
The lyrics of "Ciribiribin" by Harry James and His Orchestra featuring Frank Sinatra, depict a scene taking place in the Italian city of Naples. The song tells the tale of a gondolier who each night sings a passionate serenade to his lover, who resides in one of the nearby balconies. The gondolier’s singing is described as "gravissimo," which means serious or heavy in Italian, emphasizing the depth of his affection for his love. With each refrain, the gondolier expresses his desire for her to join him in his gondola, but she keeps declining his advances. However, despite her repeated rejections, she drops a rose and blows him a kiss from above, fueling his hope that one day she will give in and join him in his quest for love.
The lyrics of "Ciribiribin" show the power of love, passion, and persistence. The song is written in a playful and catchy way, reflecting the seduction ritual between the gondolier and his lover, who is also attracted to him but is hesitant to take the plunge. The refrain "Ciribiribin" works like a charm for the gondolier and his lady- weaving a magical spell that keeps them both longing for each other. This romantic song has become a classic and continues to enchant listeners to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
When the moon hangs low in Napoli, there's a handsome gondolier,
As the moon is setting in the Neapolitan sky, a very attractive gondolier is present,
Every night he sings so happily, so his lady love can hear.
Every evening, he serenades his beloved with songs full of joy,
In a manner oh gravissimo, he repeats his serenade,
With solemnity, the gondolier repeats the sweet songs for his love,
And his heart beats so fortissimo, when she raises her Venetian shade.
His heart races when she rises her Venetian blinds to listen to his heartfelt songs.
Ciribiribin, chiribiribin, ciribiribin.
Ciribiribin, chiribiribin, ciribiribin, the sweet sound of his music fills the air.
Ciribiribin, he waits for her each night beneath her balcony.
He waits eagerly for her under her balcony every night, yearning for her presence.
Ciribiribin, he begs to hold her tight, but no, she won't agree.
He implores her to come closer and embrace him, but she denies him each time.
Ciribiribin, she throws a rose and blows a kiss from up above,
Instead, she throws a rose and blows him kisses from above, showing her love from a distance.
Ciribiribin, ciribiribin, ciribiribin, they're so in love.
Ciribiribin, ciribiribin, ciribiribin, they are deeply in love despite the obstacle of distance.
(musical interlude)
A short musical section marked by instrumental music.
Ciribiribin, ciribiribin, ciribiribin, they're so in love.
Ciribiribin, ciribiribin, ciribiribin, they remain so in love throughout it all.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, LES NOUVELLES EDITIONS MERIDIAN, CARLIN AMERICA INC
Written by: EDGAR CARVER, ALBERTO PESTALOZZA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jigglybones3318
I just love Kitty Kallen's voice😍 so smooth and elegant
@kathydmg
My mother loved this song.
@dauntae24
My four year son heard this on SXM today and he wants it on his playlist.
@marina3934
This song is so beautiful, brings me back to my childhood where I would play this on the stereo and sing along with it
@davegaba9091
I love, love, love this tune!
@TheSharron
Thank you...I haven’t heard this song in years.
@egmont3027
This is great quality!
@jeffcraven7376
Top of the line recording, Harry's band was one of the best, especially with his trumpet laying. Kitty Kallen was eye popping beautiful to me, but I prefer hearing Ella sing it as well as every tune she recorded. Kitty was no slouch in the singing department, it's my personal preference. I started playing 78s when I was a 3 y/o & still miss the ones I accidently broke. Glad we have CDs of the same recordings.
@EBLLC
One of the best "Big Band" songs/tunes of all time!
@meotho6672
Frank Sinatra had just as good tunes
also Doris Day died recently so Rip